2021 Annual Report
A Year In
n Review Hello,
As we look forward to the start of the golf season in 2022, we look back to the impact in 2021 – our 10th year as youth development program. As you read, you’ll see how much First Tee – West Michigan’s impact on young people has grown. First Tee now thrives Grand Rapids, Muskegon, and Holland, and embarked on our very first year in Kalamazoo. In 2021, First Tee served 1,675 kids and teens, an all-time record and 35% more than we’ve ever served before. While our impact has grown, our heartbeat remains the same – to walk alongside our most vulnerable families and participants. This year, a record 670 of our kids and teens received our programs for $5 or less because of their families’ income. The numbers are encouraging, but the stories are truly inspiring. In Grand Rapids (page 7), our new partnership with Lee Middle and High School shows what can happen when a teacher, a district, and driven teens work together. In Holland, our collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club has surfaced gems like Flor Garcia (see page 9). In Kalamazoo, our launch last year yielded double the impact anticipated (page 11), and in Muskegon (page 13), the power of one inspiring community member and an event in his memory helped build hundreds of Game Changers. Based on the past five years of survey data, 93% of parents say First Tee has made a positive impact on their student’s health, while also boosting their confidence (87%), and adding healthy friendships (76%). 99% of 574 parent surveys said they would recommend First Tee to a friend. When Building Game Changers, it takes a village. In 2021, more than 300 mentors and dozens of committee and board members stepped up to make this impact in kids’ lives. Likewise, more than $730,000 was donated in 2021 to make First Tee’s programs a success, with more than $400,000 raised through our massive golf marathon fundraiser (see page 2-3 for financials). To volunteer, serve or play in one of our fundraising events, click the QR link below. As you read some of our favorite stories from 2021, we ask that you consider getting involved as the grass turns green this spring. Our ability to impact more kids and teens in 2022 are dependent on you. We ask that you consider playing in our golf marathon or golf outings, share your time as a mentor with our kids or on a committee, and register a student in First Tee’s programs. Thank you for being such an integral part of Building Game Changers here in West Michigan. Sincerely, Tyler Smies Executive Director
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Full-Time Staff Tyler Smies - Executive Director Taylour Boer - Program Director Matthew Gifford - Kalamazoo Area Director Jeff Keyser - Holland Area Director Erik Sanford - Muskegon Area Director Ben Elenbaas - Admin & Accounting Coordinator Brian Filter - Marketing & Comms Coordinator Chris Hashley - IT & Fundraising Coordinator Randy White - Director of Instruction
Board of Directors Rick Vandenberg - Chair Travis Mikulenas - Vice Chair Maureen Fitzgerald Penn - Secretary Scott VanderLinde - Treasurer John Kruis Mary Brandon Paul Albarran Antoinetta Freeman Nate Golomb Omar Hall Jeanne Hess Russ Hines Brendon Johnson Randy Lindquist Jason Manshum Sterling Raehtz Mitch Wilson
Committee Members Development Committee
Jason Manshum - Chair, Board Member Russ Hines - Director Cara Jones Sara Seabright Mark Streekstra Stephen Wilbur
Finance & Administrative Committee Scott VanderLinde - Treasurer Nate Golomb - Director Omar Hall - Director Kyle Councilor Spencer DePhillips Thomas O’Rourke Sue Stoddard
Holland Advisory Committee Brendon Johnson - Director Kyle Harvey Patrick Johnson Kristin McEntire Carla Niziolek Ross Ryzenga Mike Staed
Kalamazoo Advisory Committee Nate Golomb - Director, Chair Mercedes Befus Marcus Brussee Jamauri Bogan Torean Greeley Matt Forkin Jeanne Hess Dean Marks, PGA Mitch Wilson
Muskegon Advisory Committee Sterling Raehtz - Director, Chair Mark Alpher Scott Knowlton Randy Lindquist Jamie LeRoux Stephany Pawlowski Juan Ramirez
Financials
Revenue
% 15 $824,274
49%
% 11% 0 1
Golf Marathon Fundraiser Individual Gifts Golf Outings Corporate & Foundations Program Fees
11%
Cash Reserves in Months *Excess reserves will be used for future First Tee – West Michigan headquarters
Expenses
27*
% 37
21%
13% $757,000
29% 7
Coach Wages
5
Management & Operations Fundraising
Muskegon Kalamazoo
3 Holland
Grand Rapids
Supplies & Tech
2022 Budget $881,000 Grand Rapids $440,000
Kalamazoo $163,000
Muskegon $146,000
Holland $132,000
Seeds Sprouting at Godfrey Lee At the corner of Lee and Havana on Grand Rapids' Southwest side sits a school that serves sixth- to 12thgrade students. A year ago, golf wasn't even a thought in the students' minds. Today, on a Monday afternoon at the school, you can find a group of students working on their golf games in the theater room. The story began a year ago when Godfrey Lee Middle School teacher Brian White had a dream to share his lifelong passion for golf and all it had taught him with his students, 94% of whom are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch at school based on their families' income. He knew this would be difficult to do on his own. "I first heard about First Tee while I was watching a PGA Tour event,” White remembered. “I picked up on their message to simply just grow the game. I knew if we were going to have any chance to grow the game here, I couldn't do it by myself." That's when White decided to reach out to First Tee – West Michigan for some help. "I needed someone to go arm and arm with me. First Tee was more than willing to do that from the second I called." In the spring of 2021, Godfrey Lee and First Tee – West Michigan began a partnership that would offer free six-class sessions and 9-hole league opportunities for free to sixth- to 12th-graders. The first six-class session
was held at Kaufman Golf Course. Fourteen teenagers arrived at the golf course for the first time in their lives. The difference that White has seen in these students since starting First Tee last spring has been lifechanging. "I've seen students growing both on and off the golf course. I see students dedicated to learning something that isn't easy,,” White said.. “It's a great sign they're willing to work and embrace hard work. I've seen students display great determination this past year and also exhibit humility because they've been humbled in their attempt to learn this game." White's dream doesn't just stop with the introduction of the game. "I see First Tee and Godfrey Lee working handin-hand as we dream about starting a varsity golf program here for our teenagers,” White said. In fact, Juan and Alejandro, two 11th graders at Lee, joined Kelloggsville boys team this spring for their first high school team experience. “I see First Tee helping Godfrey Lee at the middle school level for years to come, introducing kids to golf." Within the framework of the game, First Tee, Godfrey Lee, and White plan to shape the lives of dozens of teenagers for years to come.
Grand Rapids 2011 73 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
155 249 337
Program Participants
534 594 671
2019 2020 2021
575
47%
Students on Sholarship
779 865 809
Grand Rapids Lead Coaches
Grand Rapids Partnerships
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • •
Sierra Berlin - First Tee Alum Paul Bogardus Tom Bouwkamp Alex Dommer Darcey Dorris - Junior Coach Chris Drumm Dave Ekkens Kip Gibson McKenna Inglis Kay Klosowski Bradley Lardie - Junior Coach Dominic Luciani - First Tee Alum Jason Manshum Ian Purvis Lindsay Reens - First Tee Alum Jack Seufert - First Tee Alum Tom Voskui
•
Baxter Community Center Boys & Girls Club - Grand Rapids Caesar Chavez Elementary First Community AME Church GRPS Middle School Golf Godfrey Lee Middle/High School Golf Grand Rapids Parks & Rec Mary Free Bed YMCA Mulick Park Elementary Stocking Elementary Wedgwood Christian Services West Michigan Academy of Environmental Sciences Woodfield Community Center
To become a mentor with Lee or another class in Grand Rapids, scan the QR code with your phone.
Cascade Hills CC - 4 sessions Cedar Chase GC - 7 Gracewil GC - 2 Indian Trails GC - 34 Kaufman GC - 14 Kent CC - 6 Maple Hill GC - 11 Meadows - New! Scott Lake GC - 1 The Mines GC - 7
11 12 13 14
23
26
Macatawa Legends GC - 8 sessions Third Coast Community Church - 2 West Ottawa GC - 9 Winding Creek GC - 10
Holland
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Grand Rapids
22
21
20 25
24
3
9
2
Program Locations
Eastern Hills GC - 6 sessions Kalamazoo CC - 1 Milham Park GC - 4 Red Arrow GC - 18 The Dome Sports Center - 6
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Bent Pine GC - 5 Sessions Muskegon CC - 5 Oakridge GC - 6 Old Channel Trail GC - New! Stonegate GC - 7 University Park - 15 White Lake GC - 2
Muskegon
15 16 17 18 19
Kalamazoo 11
12
13
14
8 1
15 17
18
19
16
4
7 5
6
10
Holland
Holland Lead Coaches • • • • • • •
Josh Briggs Steve Briggs Tom Haverdink Kathy Keyser Paul Keyser Kerry O’Donohue Rob Thompson
Holland Parternerships • • • •
Boys & Girls Club Holland Bridge Youth Center Escape Ministries Faith Church
Jeff Keyser - Holland Area Director
Program Participants
2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
75
127
173 155
25%
Students on Scholarship
242
Flor Garcia
Future Game Changer
At First Tee – West Michigan, we celebrate our young golfers of all ages and levels, from our high schoolers playing varsity golf to the 7-year old who picked up a club for the first time. Our staff and mentors not only teach; we learn a lot from our participants. We see how they persevere as they take on the challenge of learning something new. In Holland, one young girl goes the extra mile every class. While she may not be experienced enough to hit the ball as well as our older students, her work ethic is unmatched. She embodies what it means to be a game-changer.
Flor is a lefty and is famous in Holland for her golf nickname, Thor because she has the power of the Marvel superhero Thor. “I like hitting driver. I like hitting the ball nice and far,” Garcia admits. “It makes me feel happy because of how far it can go and the sound the club makes when I hit the ball.” Flor also likes the different putting games at First Tee and gets dialed in when candy is the prize.
Flor Garcia is currently a fourth-grader at Great Lakes Elementary. She visits the Boys and Girls Club in Holland each week to do her homework, socialize with friends, and practice her golf swing. As with most nineyear-olds, Flor has many interests, including swimming, reading novels, and creating abstract art. But her favorite activity is golf.
Flor is excited to get back on the course this spring and hit the ball long and straight. She is just one of the many kids in Holland who gives full effort every day. Flor is a gamechanger, and we can’t wait to see what she will become!
“I like golf a lot,” Garcia explains. ”You can feel free when you’re just hitting, and you can smell the fresh air while you’re out golfing. It is really calming.”
But Flor has learned more than golf. Her patience has improved, and her emotions are healthier. “I’ve learned how to try and be calm, try not to get angry. Sometimes we get angry, but we need to respond in a respectful way.”
To support Holland's growth by playing our Golf Marathon, scan the QR code with your phone.
Powerful Partnerships
When First Tee – West Michigan decided to expand to Kalamazoo, there were as many questions as answers. Kalamazoo's robust golf culture was well-known, but would that culture invest in First Tee's programs? With the help of the Kalamazoo Junior Golf Association (KJGA), the Kalamazoo Municipal Golf Association (KMGA), and dozens of fantastic volunteers and coaches, the first season blew away all expectations. But what defines a successful year at First Tee? In the 2021 season, First Tee – West Michigan impacted 351 kids and teens from Kalamazoo County through its programs. That number far exceeds our other first years, including Grand Rapids (152), Muskegon (41), and Holland (127). However, the number of kids and teens served doesn't show the whole picture. First Tee sought out strategic partners before programs began. One of those partners was Kalamazoo Parks and Recreation. "Last spring, we started our first class with Kalamazoo Parks & Rec with 18 kids," said Kalamazoo Area Director Matthew Gifford. "Unfortunately, only five kids stuck with it for the entire 90-minute class. I get it. Golf is a foreign activity to many of the students we serve. But that core group of five kids this spring didn't want to go home because they were having so much fun. By the end of the six-week session, all the kids stayed and their parents came out to watch. That was fun to see."
Another Kalamazoo partnership that blossomed in 2021 was Peace House. The Peace House Community Center is on the east side of Kalamazoo in the Edison Neighborhood and was established as a safe place for kids and teens to go. They got their start when a couple purchased two homes next to each other in the neighborhood and combined the backyards to create a community center. The kids and teens at Peace House are a very tight group. Jen DeWaels, one of the founders of Peace House, knows quickly if a program will be popular with the kids. After the first week of class, they couldn't wait to come back. "They all loved it so much," said Gifford. At First Tee – West Michigan, we hand out "Tee Bucks" as a reward for our participants who display acts of sportsmanship, perseverance, kindness, and make improvements in their golf game. At the end of each session, kids and teens cash in "Tee Bucks" for candy, swag, or golf clubs. At Peace, candy and snacks were not on the kids' minds. They all wanted golf clubs and aimed to purchase a complete set of clubs with their "Tee Bucks." Peace House's kids weren't the only beneficiary of this new partnership. First Tee's mentors were also impressed with the students. "Everyone that has volunteered loves that group and wants to keep coming back," said Gifford. While First Tee aims to impact as many kids as possible, it ultimately comes down to the impact on each individual. In Kalamazoo, the impact is much more than the impressive numbers. It's seen in the purchase of a kids' first golf club or a group begging their parents to let them stay and keep playing. Those moments better define the impact First Tee is having throughout West Michigan.
Kalamazoo Kids Served in First Year Kalamazoo 2021
155
Grand Rapids 2012 Muskegon 2013 Holland 2018
351
78
35%
127
Studedents on Scholarship
Matthew Gifford - Kalamazoo Area Director
Kalamazoo Lead Coaches
Kalamazoo Partnerships
• • • • • • • • • • •
•
Matt Brooks Aaron Collins Tanner Franklin Jeryn Jack Colleen McNally Jake Meyers Billy Nelson Brian Seifert Noah Sidell Kahler Tomlin Jason Woytal
• • •
Kalamazoo Black Male Alliance Kalamazoo Parks & Recreation Peace House Youth for Christ
To mentor, or register a participant, scan the QR code with your phone.
Muskegon Country Club
Whitlow Remembered Through Inaugural Outing First Tee's Muskegon coaches are one of our tightest groups in West Michigan. Muskegon Area Director Erik Sanford is entering his third season and works primarily with Terri Clock (ninth season as a Lead Coach) and Greg Heath (seventh season as a Lead Coach). These three and the others involved in Muskegon have always had the same goal in mind - to provide the best possible program to our participants and their families in Muskegon. The Muskegon community has frequently asked Sanford how they can become more involved and give back. In November 2020, Sanford, Clock, Heath, and the Muskegon Advisory Committee began to entertain the idea of bringing a First Tee golf outing to Muskegon. By early 2021, planning was in high gear to launch the first-ever event at Muskegon Country Club.
On August 16, 2021, the inaugural Muskegon Golf Outing at Muskegon Country Club had perfect weather and an excited group of 150 golfers. Many of them came to support First Tee – West Michigan, but even more came to remember and honor Whitlow. The round began with a ceremony and military salute for Whitlow's service to his country. First Tee kids from Muskegon participated alongside the outing golfers, hitting extra drives and putts for the teams. On the tee-box of the par-four 10th hole sat Whitlow's famous old one-iron, ready to be used by each team.
As a nod to the deep golf tradition in Muskegon, the golf committee wanted to nominate an honoree each year who had significantly impacted First Tee and the game of golf in Muskegon. When the committee began discussing who the first-ever honoree would be, one name quickly rose to the top: Al Whitlow. Al had passed away in October 2020 after a valiant fight with cancer. He was a proud supporter of First Tee – West Michigan and used his hobby of building golf clubs to cut down and regrip clubs for our kids and teens. Al's impact at First Tee was felt well past Muskegon because of the hundreds of clubs he cut. Al's work in the shop helped First Tee serve more students in Muskegon in 2021 than ever before. His time and skill allowed Muskegon's program to grow and thrive.
The inaugural Muskegon golf outing was a huge success in so many ways. On that summer day, First Tee got to be a part of Muskegon coming together to honor one of its finest while also establishing a future for the kids and teens who need help today.
Muskegon Program Participants 78
2013 40
2014
95
2015 2016
48%
132
2017
142
2018
141
Students on Scholarship
2019
204
2020
204 273
2021
uskegon rd | M Are o f n aD a S i
r
r to c e
Muskegon Lead Coaches • • • • •
Burt Ames Terri Clock Greg Heath McKenna Inglis Jay Johnson
rik
Muskegon Partnerships
E
To play in this year's outing at Muskegon CC on August 15, scan code with your phone!
• • • • • •
Club 188 Fruitport Community Schools Holton Public Schools Muskegon Heights Academy Orchard View Three Oaks Public School Academy
•
Whitehall District School
Building Game Changers
thank you!