2018 Annual Report
CHARITABLE ARM OF THE
MISSION: PGA REACH WNY was created with a goal of providing support to various organizations within the boundaries of the Western New York PGA Section. Through the game of golf, the Foundation will work to fund programs supporting its mission including the Western New York Section PGA Junior Golf initiatives and various other underprivileged youth golf programs. The Foundation will conduct and/or support a variety of initiatives that serve the founding pillars: youth, Military, and diversity in golf.
“Impacting Lives Through the Game of Golf� MILITARY: PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of the PGA REACH WNY Foundation, that introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well being. Led by local PGA Professionals, PGA HOPE is a proven therapeutic activity that has helped hundreds of Veterans across WNY assimilate back into their communities through the social interaction golf provides. YOUTH: Activities and projects aimed towards youth is highlighted by both PGA Junior League and the JC Martin Project. PGA Junior League is the flagship youth program of PGA REACH WNY, that has a goal of helping to make golf more accessible to all kids interested. Led PGA Professionals, PGA Junior league brings friends and families together around a fun team golf environment. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION: PGA REACH WNY is focused on making the game of golf more accessible to individuals of diverse backgrounds and situations. Through the Charity Hockey Classic, PGA Professionals were able to raise enough funds to allow 8 more athletes to learn the game of golf in the Special Olympics Western Region Golf Program.
WHO WE ARE
FROM OUR LEADERSHIP Since the inception of the PGA Reach WNY Foundation in 2010, I have witnessed first hand the positive impact it has had on our Communities through a variety of initiatives! The increased involvement from our PGA Professionals, Volunteers and Partners has enabled our Foundation to grow and touch the lives of many through the game of golf. Once such initiative of the Foundation, which began in 2012, has been the JC Martin Project. JC Martin is a City owned 9 Hole Golf course in the heart of Erie, Pennsylvania. The Foundation spearheaded the restoration project, which has seen over $500,000 raised to enhance all aspects of the facility. Through coordination with City, Volunteers and Donors a significant impact has been made on the facility and ultimately Erie's youth. Enhancements such as; course drainage, a new maintenance building, bridges on the course, short and long game practice facilities, green reconstruction. The final phase of the project will be the construction of nine forward tees, which will enhance the experience of Juniors, Seniors and Beginners. The target date for implementation is the fall of 2019. Continued growth of the PGA Reach WNY Foundation will ensure our Communities are positively impacted and benefit from our efforts! If you are interested in volunteering, partnering or donating please contact Steve Bartkowski at sbartkowski@pgahq.com or myself at mjokah@aol.com.
Michael O’Connor, PGA -PGA REACH President
It is truly an honor to serve as the Executive Director of the PGA REACH WNY Foundation. I am inspired every day by the work that our local PGA Professionals continue to do in the community. The WNYPGA Foundation Inc. was founded in 2010 by local PGA Professionals in the Western New York PGA Section with the goal of positively impacting lives through the game of golf. The Foundation continued under that name until recently when the charitable arm re-branded, re-structured. and re-focused their strategic plan. Thus was born— PGA REACH WNY. The founding pillars of the newly branded foundation include Military, youth and diversity/inclusion. This more focused approach we feel will ultimately make a greater impact. Since its inception in 2010, the charitable arm of the WNYPGA has been providing access and opportunities across the Section to individuals through the game of golf. And this past year we believe has been the most impactful year yet! PGA Junior league touched the lives of over 450 kids, teaching them all the life lessons that golf provides in a fun, safe, team environment. PGA HOPE continues to grow and serve our Veterans helping them to assimilate back into society. Eight new Special Olympics Athletes were introduced to the game of golf through the funds directly raised by PGA REACH WNY. The JC Martin Project continues to benefit juniors and families in the Erie, PA community, providing them with a safe environment to learn this great game. To our partners, donors, volunteers and PGA Professionals that continue to support our mission, thank you! For those interested in getting involved, please take a look at some of the opportunities in this report or feel free to reach out to me at (716) 3132943 or sbartkowski@pgahq.com.
Steven Bartkowski -PGA REACH Executive Director
CONTENT 5-6 Military 7-8 Youth 9-10 Diversity/Inclusion 11 Supporters 12 PGA Partners Program 13 Get Involved 14 Revenue & Expenses 15 Partners
Board of Trustees Michael O’Connor, PGA—President The Kahkwa Club
Andy Conner—Erie Independent Director Conner Riley Friedman & Weichler
Tim Fries, PGA—Vice President Glen Oak Golf Course
Ralph Fornuto—Rochester Independent Director Fornuto Ventures LLC
Mike D’Agostino, PGA—Secretary Penfield Country Club
Jaimie Miller—Buffalo Independent Director Morgan Stanley
Jeff Mietus, PGA—Treasurer Glen Oak Golf Course
Staff Steven Bartkowski— Executive Director WNYPGA & PGA REACH WNY Ric Alberico, PGA—Tournament Director WNYPGA Bob Ashley, PGA—Player Development Director WNYPGA & PGA REACH WNY
MILITARY PGA
HOPE
Programs & Partners
PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) is the flagship military program of PGA REACH WNY. PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. In 2017, there were 1,500 Veterans impacted nationwide by this therapeutic program. It is a fact that suicide is a major issue among military Veterans, with recent statistical studies showing that 22 Veterans a day commit suicide. PGA HOPE is working to change this statistic. Led by local PGA Professionals, PGA REACH WNY impacted the lives of over 50 Veterans cross Buffalo, Rochester and Erie, PA. These Veterans were given 6-week clinics and access to multiple golf facilities at NO COST to them. In 2018, PGA REACH WNY was also honored to be able to help place a Vietnam Veteran in a job opportunity at Glen Oak Golf Course, which is a local PGA Golf Facility in Buffalo, NY. Edy Andino was quoted saying, “Without golf, and the instruction from the PGA Professionals, I may not be alive today. Golf has given me a positive outlook on life. I was very selfconscious before entering PGA HOPE, but now since entering the program there has been a positive change in both my mental and physical health.�
When the Foundation Board of Trustees met this past Spring it was the beginning of a new Chapter for the PGA Member driven Foundation - PGA REACH WNY. Independent Directors were added to the strong core of PGA Members already serving on this Board. One of the first goals of this newly formed group was to create awareness for the work that the Foundation has and continues to do. Through these conversations spurned the concept of “100 Hole For HOPE.” The awareness campaign would bring together both PGA Members and Amateurs - all playing 100 Holes of golf in one day. At the Kahkwa Club, led by Michael O’Connor and Sean Coleman, a foursome started the day at sunrise and played alternate shot raising close $4,500 for PGA HOPE. A week later at Glen Oak GC, led by Tim Fries and Jeff Mietus, PGA Members and Veterans completed the same initiative raising close to $1,500 for HOPE. The Department of Veterans Affairs research and clinical experience verify that physical activity is important to maintaining good health, speeding recovery and improving overall quality of life. For many injured Veterans, adaptive sports provide their first exposure to physical activity after injury. Due to the support of fundraising such as this, PGA HOPE is offered to our Veterans at NOT COST We hope to get many more facilities, PGA Members and Amateur golfers alike on board in 2019!
YOUTH
Partners & Programs
PGA JR LEAGUE
With more than 42,000 golfers representing 3,400 teams in 47 states throughout the United States, participation in Junior League continues to increase each season. Through PGA Jr. League, girls and boys ages 13 and under learn and enjoy the game with instruction and direction from PGA and LPGA Professionals. Players wear numbered jerseys and compete on teams with their friends in a popular two -person scramble format that reinforces the team concept and creates a nurturing environment for learning the game. In Western New York, the 2018 season saw 456 athletes under the age of 13 competing on 33 teams. Participation was up 21.6% from the 2017 season. The Section also hosted the first ever Section Junior League Championship at Glen Oak Golf Course for 8 of the top teams (80 juniors).
JC MARTIN PROJECT
The WNYPGA Foundation and Head PGA Professional Michael O'Connor worked with the Erie Community Foundation and the City of Erie to renovate the J.C. Martin Family Golf Center. In just the second year of existence, the WNYPGA Foundation was proud and honored to take part in a project such as this that impacts the lives of golfers throughout an entire community. The total project to date has put in over $500,000 and is host to many initiatives such as Drive, Chip & Putt and PGA Junior League Golf which allow kids access to the game of golf in Erie, PA. In 2018 the project did take a break from renovations but plans to make another splash with forward tees throughout the entire course to help make it even more playable for juniors. "J.C. Martin is an important part of the Erie Community. It has provided a place for young people to not only learn the game of golf, but to have a a constructive summer pastime and develop friendships for life" -Joseph Sinnot, City of Erie Mayor "The golf course looks absolutely tremendous,� Mike Martin said. “It's been a very playable golf course. I remember coming up here as a kid and teeing off on rubber mats. It really is a tremendous complex for the community today. "
FIRST TEE & PGA REACH TEAM UP In 2018, PGA REACH WNY sponsored a PGA Junior League team that included 12 boys and girls from the First Tee of WNY. The team, that named themselves The Seneca Hickory Sticks, was led by PGA Professional Joe Bock. The scholarship afforded kids that may not have the opportunity through financial reasons to learn the game of golf in a fun team environment.
INCLUSION PGA WORKS
Partners & Programs
The golf industry’s workforce, including PGA Membership, is demographically homogenous. The boards, senior leadership and full time staff are 95%, 97% and 86% Caucasian (respectively). PGA Works Fellowship aspires to be the most valuable employment opportunity for individuals from diverse backgrounds to garner experience in all facets of the golf industry. In 2019, PGA REACH WNY will have the opportunity to hire a PGA Works Fellow giving golf industry experience to an individual of a diverse background. The PGA WORKS Fellowship is a twelve month paid position funded by PGA REACH. The goal is to have a PGA Membership and golf industry that look like a modern day America.
CHARITY HOCKEY CLASSIC Proceeds benefitting Special Olympics Golf
On Friday, November 17th, 2017 the PGA REACH WNY Foundation teamed up with StayRich to conduct the Inaugural Charity Hockey Classic at Riverworks in downtown Buffalo, NY. The game featured a team of Rich Products Corporation associates who played against a group of our WNYPGA professionals. The event raised $7,300 for the Special Olympics NY Golf Program. The Western Region of Special Olympics New York served 3,126 athletes in 2017. Athletes train and compete in a variety of 23 Olympic-style sports over the course of our summer, winter, and fall seasons. Competitions are held at local, regional, super regional, and state levels in New York, giving our participants the chance to demonstrate their skills many times each year. The Western Region includes the counties of Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara, and Orleans. Two thriving golf programs operate out of the Western Region. The Chautauqua Lakers train and host competitions at Chautauqua Golf Club, and usually have 40-50 athletes participating each year. The Erie Golf Club trains at Fox Valley in Lancaster and currently has 36 members. Athletes from both clubs participate in individual golf skills, alternate shot competition, nine-hole individual play, or 18-hole individual play. Because of this fundraiser last year, the Western Region Golf Program has grown. There were 8 new athletes that were introduced to the game of golf in 2017. The Charity Hockey Classic presented by PGA REACH WNY and StayRich sponsored those athletes and gave them the opportunity to play.
OUR SUPPORTERS
The Duster Challenge conducted by the Tee2Green Radio Show hosts raised $2,300 for PGA REACH WNY. The 18-hole family friendly putting competition was held at The Fox Valley Club and with Charlie Fischer being crowned “Buffalo’s Best Putter.”
Tee it Up for the Troops held their 2nd Annual event at Wanakah Country Club on Monday, September 10th, 2018. The golf event brings local businesses together in a golf event to recognize our military Veterans and Active Duty members. As a beneficiary, The PGA REACH WNY Foundation receive $12,500 to help support the local PGA HOPE Chapters.
100 Hole For HOPE was held at both The Kahkwa Club in Erie, PA and Glen Oak GC in Buffalo, NY. PGA Professionals, amateur golfers and veterans played 100 holes of golf in one day and were able to raise over $5,000 for the their local PGA HOPE Chapters.
PGA PARTNER PROGRAM We would like to thank those PGA Professionals and PGA facilities for their financial and time commitment to the PGA REACH WNY Foundation. Your generous support helps fund our programming that supports our three pillars: youth, Military, and diversity/inclusion.
SILVER $1,000—$4,999 Glen Oak Golf Course The Kahkwa Club
BRONZE Up to $999 Brian Jacobs Golf Academy Rodney Blair Joe Bock Sean Coleman Jonathan Decker Jim Edmister Tim Falkner Tim Fries Steve Gertner Dave Granata Dillon Hayes
Rob Krajewski Frank LaForce Scott Marble Jeff Martin Jeff Mietus Michael O’Connor Mike Roeder Marc Rosa Erik Skiba Andy Viscardi Josh Wojtaszczyk
PGA HOPE Volunteers Tom Bolduc Jerry Coleman Sean Coleman Brian Corbitt Dan Cordaro Charlie Cross John Daddario Mike D’Agostino Mark DeRidder
Chris DeVincentis Cody Endress Tim Fries Bob Gilbert Eric Haile Rob Horak Tom Keenan Mike Kiel John LaCrosse
Tom Maloney Scott Marble Jeff Mietus Greg Mulhern Bobby Orr Chris Shank Al Stein Mike Sweazy
BECOME A PARTNER HELP POSITIVELY IMPACT THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE GAME OF GOLF Founding Partners: $10,000
- Brand Recognition inside AND on-course at the PGA REACH WNY Homesite at Glen Oak Golf Course (averages 35,000 rounds per year) - Two Foursomes in Corporate Outing at Oak Hill Country Club in conjunction with 2019 Senior PGA Championship - 10 Hours of lessons, fittings, swing analysis with PGA Professionals -Listing on PGA REACH WNY Foundation Website and Newsletters
Platinum Partners: $5,000
- Brand Recognition inside the PGA REACH WNY Homesite at Glen Oak Golf Course - One foursome in Corporate Outing at Oak Hill Country Club in conjunction with 2019 Senior PGA Championship - 4 Hours of lessons, fittings, swing analysis with PGA Professionals -Listing on PGA REACH WNY Foundation Website and Newsletters
Eagle Partners: $2,500
- Brand Recognition inside the PGA REACH WNY Homesite at Glen Oak Golf Course - One foursome in Corporate Outing at Oak Hill Country Club in conjunction with 2019 Senior PGA Championship -Listing on PGA REACH WNY Foundation Website and Newsletters
Birdie Partners: $500
- Brand Recognition inside the PGA REACH WNY Homesite at Glen Oak Golf Course -Listing on PGA REACH WNY Foundation Website and Newsletters
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
IMPACTING LIVES THORUGH THE GAME OF GOLF 6161 Genesee Street Lancaster, NY 4086 (716) 626-7095 https://westernnewyork.pga.com/foundation/