2022 Annual Report

Who We Are Commitments to Being a Game Changer

We enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills curriculum, we create learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do.

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Pursuing Goals

Growing Through Challenge

Collaborating With Others

Building Positive Self-Identity

Using Good Judgment

Since First Tee – West Michigan’s inception twelve years ago, the cornerstone of our curriculum has been our Nine Core Values. Our longtime students can recite them by heart: Honesty, Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Courtesy, Sportsmanship, Judgment, Perseverance, and Confidence. For years, these values were the foundation of our lesson plans and classes. Starting this year, First Tee is rolling out a new and even more impactful curriculum that will prepare our students with the necessary tools to thrive in today’s world.

Changing the Game: The Evolution of Our Curriculum

While our Nine Core Values will always be a part of our organization’s history and legacy, we are excited to begin a new chapter by centering our curriculum around “Five Key Commitments:” Pursuing Goals, Growing Through Challenge, Collaborating With Others, Building Positive Self-Identity, and Using Good Judgement. Each commitment is designed to equip our students with practical skills that can be applied in real-life situations, with an emphasis on personal growth and development.

Pursuing Goals: is about setting ambitious targets and working towards achieving them. Our students learn the importance of having a clear vision of what they want to achieve and developing a plan to get there.

Growing Through Challenge: teaches our students to embrace adversity and use it as an opportunity for growth. This commitment helps them develop resilience, perseverance, and adaptability in the face of obstacles.

Collaborating With Others: encourages teamwork, communication, and mutual respect. Our students learn to work effectively in groups, appreciate diversity, and understand the power of collective action.

Building Positive Self-Identity: is about developing a healthy self-image and building confidence and self-esteem. This commitment helps our students to recognize and appreciate their unique strengths and capabilities.

Using Good Judgment: teaches our students to make sound decisions and understand the consequences of their actions. This commitment promotes responsibility, accountability, and ethical behavior.

By focusing on these Five Key Commitments, First Tee will make an even bigger impact in the lives of our students in West Michigan.

Golf industry’s growth was a hot topic in 2022. Since 2020, golf has experienced a surge of new players and interest, bringing a buzz back to golf courses in West Michigan. As a golfer, I’m pleased, but I also make a distinction about First Tee when I’m around the water cooler. While First Tee - West Michigan is impacted by the golf industry’s growth, I don’t consider us a part of the golf industry. First Tee is in the youth development business, and we use the game of golf to teach life skills that kids use in the rest of their life, including Five Key Commitments:

Pursuing Goals

Growing through Challenge

Collaborating with Others

Building Positive Self-Identity

Using Good Judgment

One Key Commitment is throughout this year’s review: Collaborating with Others Your collaboration as a donor, mentor, committee member, coach, or parent is critical to First Tee’s impact on kids and teens. Likewise, First Tee’s partnerships with community organizations and the golf industry are needed to impact who we strive to serve: those that might not otherwise have a chance to learn through the game of golf.

First Tee’s collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club in Holland & Muskegon has yielded big results for kids (see pages 13 and 15). Likewise, a partnership with Kalamazoo Parks & Recreation produced First Tee’s biggest-ever class (see page 14)! First Tee also collaborated with local business owners like Derek Thornberry at Under Par Golf (see page 15) and private golf clubs here and across the country like Sankaty Country Club on Nantucket Island to provide caddie opportunities for our teens (see page 9).

First Tee’s impact on kids is only as deep as our ability to collaborate with others - a skill that we teach and discuss with our students year-round. As you read about First Tee - West Michigan’s impact and results from 2022, please join us in 2023. Our ability to teach skills like the ones above is only possible through collaboration with YOU. Thank you in advance for your collaboration in 2022 and this upcoming year!

Sincerely,

Tyler Smies Executive Director

Tyler Smies / Executive Director

Taylour Boer / Program Director

Lori Dustin / Directorof Operations

Matthew Gifford / Kalamazoo Area Director

Brandon Jean / Kalamazoo Program Coordinator

Jeff Keyser / Holland Area Director

Erik Sanford / Muskegon Area Director

McKenna Inglis / Muskegon Program Coordinator

Emily Damstra / Program Communications Coordinator

Brian Filter / Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Chris Hashley / IT & Fundraising Coordinator

Staff & Board

Board of Directors

Rick Vandenberg / Chair

Travis Mikulenas / Vice Chair

Maureen Fitzgerald Penn / Secretary

Scott VanderLinde / Treasurer

Paul Albarran / Grand Rapids

Antoinetta Freeman / Grand Rapids

Nate Golomb / Grand Rapids

Omar Hall / Grand Rapids

Jeanne Hess / Kalamazoo

Russ Hines / Grand Rapids

Brendon Johnson / Holland

John Kruis / Grand Rapids

Randy Lindquist / Muskegon

Jason Manshum / Grand Rapids

Ross Ryzenga / Holland

Mitch Wilson / Kalamazoo

2023 Revenue

$1,036,862

44% Golf Marathon Fundraiser

16% Corporate & Foundations

14% Individual Gifts

13% Golf Outings

9% Program Fees

2023 Budget $1,115,000

$552k Grand Rapids

$217k Muskegon/Newaygo/Oceana

$205k Kalamazoo

$140k Holland

2022 Expenses

$989,860

48% Coach Wages & Training

23% Management & Operations

21% Fundraising

Paul Bogardus / Equipment

Jim Kregel / Mentor

Marv Malburg / Mentor

Deb Marshall / Lead Coach

Wendell Murphy / Mentor

Gary Paul / Mentor

Ian Purvis / Lead Coach

Cody Rowe / Mentor

Jeff Smies / Mentor

K tong Grand Rap Grand Rapids

Kylie Stong / Lead Coach Holland

Cristyn Bergstrom / Lead Coach

Ky l

Kyle Harvey / Advisory Member/Mentor

Brendon Johnson / Advisory Member

Kathy Keyser / Lead Coach

Paul Keyser / Lead Coach

Eddie Kline / Mentor

Ross Ryzenga / Advisory Member

Bill Schueler / Mentor

Cindy Schueler / Mentor

Mike Staed / Advisory Member/Mentor Muskegon

Mark Alpher / Mentor

Darcee Babbitt / Mentor

Dave Buck / Mentor

Terri Clock / Lead Coach

Marsha Green / Mentor

Jeff Hekkema / Mentor

Bryan Koratich / Lead Coach

Colin Mckey / Marathon Fundraiser

Fred Sanford / Marathon Fundraiser

Joe Buckman / Mentor

Josh Burt, PGA / Mentor

Eric Dougal / Marathon Fundraiser

Matt Forkin / Advisory Member/Mentor

vey Holland iClock Muskego ougal Kalamaz Volunteer Leaders

Jeanne Hess / Advisory Member/Mentor

Diane Kiino / Mentor

John Kramer / Mentor

Steve Trebing / Lead Coach

David Weber / Mentor

Jason Wolffis / Mentor Kalamazoo

Mitch Wilson / Marathon Fundraiser

From the First Tee to The Fairways

Between the 11th and 13th fairways of Sankaty Head Golf Club on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts sits a unique camp specifically for young caddies. Every year, a group of 60 teenagers from all over the country make their way to the island to attend the Sankaty Head Caddie Camp nestled along the sandy coastline. The camp offers a unique opportunity for young caddies to learn life skills and grow through new challenges. For the past several years, First Tee – West Michigan has offered a Sankaty info seminar to its students in December. That’s led to multiple students selected for the prestigious camp.

Among these students is Alex Karhunen, a University of Michigan student and 2021 First Tee – West Michigan graduate. Alex is returning to the camp for his fourth season this year, this time as a counselor to younger caddie campers. Following in Alex’s footsteps was his younger brother Christopher (Freshman, Jenison HS) who attended Sankaty for the first time last summer. Joining Christopher in 2022 were Nicholas Garcia (Junior, Wyoming HS) and Luke Ekkens (Freshman, Grand Rapids Christian), both returning to the island for another summer. Finally, Sankaty Head Caddie Camp will have two new faces representing First Tee – West Michigan this upcoming summer: Fox Rogers (8th grade, Grand Rapids Public), and Mike McLean (8th Grade, West Ottawa Public) will join the group of other First Tee students at Sankaty.

The camp is rigorous and demanding. Each day begins at 7 am to the ring of a brass bell. The boys wake up, put on their uniform, and assemble outside their cabins for the flag raising. Six days a week they walk with golfers for 18, 36, or even 54 holes.

But the Sankaty Head Caddie Camp is about more than just golf. It’s an opportunity for young men to explore a new place and connect with new people. Some of the club members are CEOs of Fortune 500 Companies. For the First Tee students, the experience has been life-changing. They return home with a newfound sense of confidence, a stronger work ethic, and a deep appreciation for the value of hard work and determination.

The memories and lessons learned at Sankaty will stay with the First Tee students for a lifetime. The skills and experiences gained at the camp will shape their future.. We look forward to sending more students to this prestigious camp for many years to come!

Luke Ekkens

MikeM

Grand Rapids Lead Coaches

Sierra Berlin / Alumni

Tom Bouwkamp

Darcey Dorris / Alumni

Chris Drumm

Tyler Dunham

Conor Gausselin

Kip Gibson

Liam Grathoff

EJ Harrison / Alumni

Chris Hashley

Bo Hobson

Kay Klosowski

Bradley Lardie / Jr. Coach

Gim Lee

Denny Logan

Dominic Luciani / Alumni

Deb Marshall

Logan Nickerson

Kim Pasikowski

Ian Purvis

Lindsay Reens / Alumni

Jack Seufert / Alumni

Kylie Stong / Jr. Coach

Art Thornley

Thank You, Coaches!

Holland Lead Coaches

Cristyn Bergstorm

Josh Briggs

Steve Briggs

Emily Damstra

Alex Karhunen / Alumni

Kathy Keyser

Paul Keyser

Rob Thompson

Corbin VandenBrink

Kalamazoo Lead Coaches

Mercedes Befus

Lauren Cojei

Aaron Collins

Ian Kauffman

Scott Ramsay

Noah Sidell

Steve Trebing Kahler Tomlin

Eric Wimbley

Curt Wiser

Jason Woytal

Muskegon Lead Coaches

Terri Clock

Greg Heath

Bryan Koratich

Zoe Vanderstelt

Grand Rapids Courses

Boulder Creek Golf Club

5750 Brewer Ave NE

Belmont, MI 49306

Cascade Hills Country Club

3725 Cascade Rd SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Cedar Chase Golf Club 7551 17 Mile Rd NE

Cedar Springs, MI 49319

Gracewil Golf Course 2597 4 Mile Rd

Grand Rapids, MI 49544

Indian Trails Golf Course 2776 Kalamazoo Ave SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Kaufman Golf Course 4807 Clyde Park Ave SW Wyoming, MI 49509

Macatawa Legends G.C.

4600 Macatawa Legends Blvd Holland, MI 49424

Winding Creek G.C.

4514 E Ottogan St Holland, MI 49423

Clearbrook G.C.

Clearbrook Dr Saugatuck, MI 49453

Kent Country Club 1600 College Ave NE

Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Maple Hill Golf Course

5555 Ivanrest SW Grandville, MI 49418

Meadows at GVSU 4645 W Campus Dr

Allendale, MI 49401

Quail Ridge Golf Club 8375 36th St SE Ada, MI 49301

Scott Lake Golf Course 911 Hayes Rd NE Comstock Park, MI 49321

Grand Rapids Partnerships

The Mines Golf Club 330 Covell Ave SW Grand Rapids, MI 49534 Baxter Community Center 935 Baxter St SE Grand Rapids, MI

Red Arrow G.C.

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At the heart of First Tee – West Michigan lies our deep commitment to empowering young people through the game of golf. For many, First Tee is a safe haven where they can escape the challenges of their lives and find support and guidance from our caring lead coaches and volunteer mentors.

Strengthening our Roots

In 2022, we grew stronger roots by partnering with local schools and organizations to provide First Tee’s programs to those who need it the most. Here are some of some of First Tee’s collaborative highlights from 2022.

For the first time in 2022, First Tee partnered with IAM Academy, an organization dedicated to empowering African American adolescents to achieve their full potential. Working together, we launched a new program, “Sunday Fundays,” at Three Fires Golf Course. Every week, we welcomed 10-15 kids from IAM Academy for a day of games, challenges, and a pizza party. This fun and engaging experience also encouraged personal growth through First Tee’s 5 Key Commitments. On the golf course, we created a supportive environment where everyone participated and felt comfortable, regardless of their golf experience. These “Sunday Fundays” fostered new relationships with students from IAM Academy and introduced them to golf and First Tee’s life skills curriculum.

Another significant area of growth last year was forming stronger connections with the Latino community in Holland. The highlight of the year was the annual LAUP Fiesta, which celebrates Latino culture through food, music, and dance. First Tee’s booth drew a crowd of more than 200 kids and families, who eagerly waited in line to try hitting golf balls into our famous 20-foot inflatable monster, “Golfzilla.” The event built stronger ties with the Latino community in Holland while also introducing more young people to First Tee’s programs.

Through these partnerships, we expanded our reach and offered new and exciting golf experiences to young people in Holland who might not otherwise have the opportunity. We look forward to continuing these strategic partnerships with IAM Academy and LAUP to make an even greater impact in 2023.

After a successful launch of First Tee in Kalamazoo in 2021, First Tee set out to deepen connections with local organizations in 2022. We learned in our first season just how impactful our programs can be when partnering with the right organizations. In 2022, First Tee again teamed up with Kalamazoo Parks & Recreation to host a summer program for kids & teens from the city of Kalamazoo.

In a typical First Tee session, 15 - 20 students participate. But to ensure every student had the opportunity in Kalamazoo, we prepared for something much grander in scale. When the buses from Kzoo Parks rolled up to their first class at Red Arrow, we were ready and waiting for the 80 students who walked out. For most of them, it was the first time they stepped foot on a golf course. “It was controlled chaos,” said Kalamazoo Area Director Matthew Gifford.

“We were very tactical, and were ready with a game plan to make sure every kid had a great experience.” The group was split each week into multiple groups and stations where they learned life skills like pursuing goals, growing through challenges, and building a positive self-identity. They also were introduced to the fundamentals of golf like grip, aim, alignment, and distance control.

Thanks to our dedicated instructors, mentors, and the hospitality of Red Arrow Golf Course, the impact of this mega class was clear. “Once we took them out and walked around the golf course, we could see them light up,” said Gifford. The students walked a hole, examining the green, rough, and tee boxes, and even tossing golf balls to see how they interacted with the surface. “On the course, we tied everything together, and they could see exactly what we had been working on in class. Everything started to click from there.” We’re excited to continue to develop our partnership with Kzoo Parks to reach more students in the city of Kalamazoo in 2023.

In 2022 in Muskegon, First Tee reached new heights and impacted more students than ever before. Our classes attracted more than 350 students, half of whom participated on scholarships provided by our donors. This impact is tied to our collaboration with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of the Muskegon Lakeshore. By working with their after-school program, we connected frequently with students in the city of Muskegon. Providing full scholarships to all Boys & Girls Club students allowed First Tee to impact students who have historically been underserved. After a few seasons of this partnership, older students began asking coaches for more advanced lessons, wanting a deeper understanding of the game and what it can teach. While this partnership is still in the early stages, the impact has us excited for the future.

Local businesses in Muskegon also played a significant role in 2022. Under Par Golf, a local simulator and club-fitting company, launched in 2021. From day one, Under Par has been deeply committed to our kids and teens at First Tee. During the winter, they generously provided a dedicated space for our classes. Under Par’s contribution to our fundraising efforts was also invaluable, participating in our golf marathon fundraiser and sponsoring the Muskegon Golf Outing. Moreover, their PGA Instructor Derek Thornberry has generously given lessons to our students, already providing more than 20 lessons to our scholarship students. Under Par’s commitment to supporting First Tee – West Michigan has holistically made an impact on First Tee’s students in Muskegon, and we look forward to this partnership’s continued blossoming.

Muskegon