ANNUAL REVIEWWWW.THEFIRSTTEEWESTMICHIGAN.ORG
1
OUR MISSION & VALUES
To impact the lives of young people by providing educational
programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values
and promote healthy life choices through the game of golf.
VALUES
MISSION
HONESTY
RESPECT
PERSEVERANCE
INTEGRITY
CONFIDENCE
COURTESY JUDGMENT
SPORTSMANSHIP
RESPONSIBILITY
These Nine Core Values are the focus of every lesson we
teach, on and off the golf course.
3
HELLO FROM THE FIRST TEE OF WEST MICHIGAN
A MESSAGE FROM THE FIRST TEE OF WEST MICHIGAN CHAIRMAN
We made excellent progress in
2013, our chapter’s second full
year of operation.
With growing participation in our
year-round programs in greater
Grand Rapids and the start of
programming in Muskegon, we
directly reached 313 children,
100% more than in the prior year.
Please take a closer look at our
broader performance scorecard
on pages 12 and 13.
We have a unique approach
to youth development; we use
the game of golf to teach core
values and life skills to girls
and boys ages 7-17. Many are
underprivileged and at-risk
children who, before joining The
First Tee, had never touched a
golf club or walked on the soft
green grass of a golf course. By
teaching life skills and healthy
habits on the golf course in
the summer and assisting with
schoolwork during the winter, we
help our participants grow socially,
academically and athletically.
We are deeply grateful to our
volunteers, community partners,
and board members who, with
the support of a newly formed
group of advisors we call Major
Champions (see page 7), have
contributed their time, talents
and, in many instances, funds to
improve the reach and impact of
our programs. Because we give
our programming virtually free of
charge to most of our participants,
we will never be self sustaining.
We have ambitious plans for
2014 and expect even greater
progress. But to optimize our
impact on kids, we will need more
volunteers, partners, and donors
from throughout West Michigan.
If you care about kids and want a
brighter future for them, we hope
you will contact us about getting
involved with The First Tee of West
Michigan.
Thank you!
BRENT RECTOR
BOARD CHAIRMAN
5
SPOTLIGHT
This is our first year with The First Tee and we are more than impressed. Before
The First Tee, my child only understood the game of golf in terms of clubs and
scores, but now he is beginning to see the game of golf in terms of respect and
responsibility.
The organization, the quality of the coaches, and the lessons taught do more
than simply improve our son’s golf score. We will definitely be back again next
spring and I have recommended The First Tee to a number of friends as well.
“KIMBERLY BOLT
MOTHER OF CADEN7-YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANT
SHIRLYN BRAVATA
GRANDMOTHER OF SI 11-YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANT
“My name is Alexander Karhunen,
and I am 10. I am in the fifth grade
at Bursley Elementary School in
Jenison. I joined The First Tee of
West Michigan last year to learn
how to play golf. What I learned is
that golf is not just a game, and it
is fun!
Last winter I did Homework
& Hitting. It was fun! We do
homework, and then get to do
other stuff, like hit golf balls into
“I had heard great things about
The First Tee program for many
years, and was excited when it
finally came to the West Michigan
area.
I enjoy the game of golf, and was
taught as a child by my father the
proper etiquette and rules to the
game. I had started taking my son
Alex out to the golf course and
driving range, trying to teach him
as my father had taught me. As he
seemed to be keen to learn more,
nets, as they teach me to swing
the club. We also get to play golf
games, and they have also been
teaching me about honesty.”
I quickly took the opportunity to
get him involved with The First Tee
West Michigan.
It has been exactly as I hoped, not
just teaching him how to swing
a club but, more importantly,
teaching him key values such
as good sportsmanship, proper
etiquette, and that having fun is
more important than winning.
The First Tee is a great program
that I promote to every parent I
meet. The opportunity to learn life
skills, to be encouraged to do well
in school, as well as learn to play
golf is something no child should
miss! I look forward to many more
years of participation from Alex.”
ALEX KARHUNEN
THE FIRST TEE PARTICIPANT
RAIMO KARHUNEN
ALEX KARHUNEN’S FATHER
“Not only has Si enjoyed the program very much,
it has allowed him a much-needed break from a
household of females. He has matured, improving his
patience, listening skills, and his ability to interact
with adults other than his family and teacher. The
program has also been instrumental in calming him
down and focusing his talents in a positive manner.”
LINDA BERLIN
MOTHER OF SIERRA 11-YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANT
“Before The First Tee, Sierra had a hard time
controlling her emotions when frustrated. But
since joining The First Tee, Sierra works hard to
think through her frustration and seek solutions
instead of melting down on the golf course, at
school, and at home.”
7
FRIENDS OF THE FIRST TEE OF WEST MICHIGAN
DEREK ATEN / Comerica Bank
MARK BAIN / upper 90 consulting
BRIAN BOLT / Calvin College
MARY BRANDON / Retired, ASR Health Benefits
PAUL DOYLE / Paul T. Doyle & Associates
ANGEL GONZALEZ / Artesian Group
CHARLIE GOODE / Warner, Norcross & Judd
DAVID MADIOL / Amway
JIM PIKE / Fusion Business Service
BRENT RECTOR / Retired, Miller Johnson
STEVE SCHEUERMANN / The Highlands Golf Course
LAURIE BEARD / Founders Bank & Trust
PATTIE BUTCHER / Blythefield Country Club
JACK DOLES / Wood TV8
MARANDA / Wotv 4
DOUG MEIJER / Meijer
JIM PAYNE / Amway
MARK WILSON / Ferris State University
BOARD MEMBERS MAJOR CHAMPIONS
My wife and I were fortunate to grow
up around golf and have a passion
for the game. We also understand
how difficult access to the sport can
be for kids. Golf, like many sports,
can be a good way for kids to learn
important life lessons. We believe
golf goes beyond general competition
and teaches important life skills and
lessons such as respect, work ethic,
and sense of community. It was great
to see The First Tee of West Michigan
focusing on important core values
that these children need for a strong
future.
The First Tee of West Michigan
teaches more than just golf;
it promotes healthy choices
and helps youth build valuable
leadership skills that can be
applied on and off the course.
Heather and I wanted to ensure our
time and money found its way to
the children. The First Tee of West
Michigan has proved we made
the right decision and we are as
excited as last year to be a part of
this organization. Again, we plan to
sponsor a scholarship so that more
kids have access to golf regardless of
their financial situations. We hope this
story inspires others to give to such a
strong, locally focused organization.
The First Tee shares Amway’s
focus on helping people achieve
their potential, and we are proud
to support them as they transform
the lives of young people across
West Michigan.
MATT TOBUREN
DONOR
JIM PAYNE
AMWAY REGIONAL PRESIDENTMAJOR CHAMPION AND SUPPORTER SINCE 2011
GIF
TS F
RO
M T
HE
HEA
RT
The following individuals play an integral role in what we do at The First Tee of West
Michigan. Major Champions advise us how to increase our reach and impact in the
community; board members donate their time, talent, and treasure. Our staff and
volunteers are on the ground, interacting with our participants, parents, and partners.
TYLER SMIES / Executive Director
NICK HOLTROP / Lead Coach, Grand Rapids
TERRI CLOCK / Lead Coach, Muskegon
STAFF
THE HIGHLANDS G.C. / Grand Rapids
FELLOWSHIP GREENS G.C. / Grand Rapids
CASCADE HILLS C.C. / Grand Rapids
UNIVERSITY PARK G.C. / Muskegon
2013 GOLF COURSE PARTNERSGRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
KENTWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ORCHARD VIEW PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ARBOR CIRCLE
PATHFINDERS
YMCA OF GREATER GRAND RAPIDS
EDGE CHURCH
KENTWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH
THE OTHER WAY MINISTRIES
2013 PROGRAMMING PARTNERS
ALTERNATE SHOT TOURNAMENTEight girls and eight boys were selected to
play with a Calvin men’s or GVSU women’s
golfer in an alternate shot format.
HIG
HLI
GH
TS
In our second full year,
your support has allowed
us to expand our reach and
impact. We’ve added 158
new students and watched
our returning students grow.
Here are highlights from our
cornerstone programs.
JACK NICKLAUSEight students enjoyed a special opportunity to meet golf legend and long-time
First Tee supporter, Jack Nicklaus. The eight submitted essays about the legend.
RYDER CUP AT HARBOR SHORES
CASCADE HILLS CC AND UNIVERSITY PARK GOLF COURSEMore than 100 of our
students enjoyed weekly
play on two new courses:
Cascade Hills Country
Club in Grand Rapids and
University Park Golf Course
in Muskegon.
HOMEWORK & HITTINGThis winter program helped
participants with schoolwork
and provided an opportunity
for them to hone their
swings with dedicated
coaches.
Ten of our participants played against The First
Tee of Benton Harbor in a Ryder Cup format. We
didn’t win, but we had a blast!
11
MY FAVORITE PART OF THE FIRST TEE IS…
MY FAVORITE VALUE I’VE LEARNED AT THE FIRST TEE IS…
ADAM KOVAL8-YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANT
LINDSAY REENS13-YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANT
SPENCER SCHAFFER10-YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANT
ELLA EITNEAR 8-YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANT
ELLA EITNEAR8-YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANT
PIPPA GIBSON11-YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANT
PIPPA GIBSON11-YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANT
NATHAN DIEPSTRA13-YEAR-OLD PARTICIANT
NATHAN DIEPSTRA13-YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANT
“Golfing and learning about golf.
I love to drive the ball!”
Honesty. I’ve used this value at school
when I noticed that I accidently marked
an extra problem correct but I went to the
teacher and fixed it.
“Learning about core values and
setting personal goals.”
Perseverance. In school when math
is hard to do I keep working and learning
until I understand it.
“Getting to see all the awesome coaches!“
Sportsmanship. I use this in
basketball in case my team loses; I don’t
go crazy.
“Playing the game jailhouse on the putting green
because you are part of a team and you help each other.”
Perseverance. It popped into my head while writing a
paper at school the other day. I wanted to stop writing, but I
decided to persevere like I learned at The First Tee!
“Getting to golf in different formats. I also like just getting to go out on the course and
play!”
Confidence. I’ve used this value
at school during tests. When I take them,
I’m confident that I will do well, because
I’ve prepared well.
SOPHIE BELL11-YEAR-OLD PARTICIPANT
AS COMPARED TO US GOLFERS
13
2013 SCORECARD
GIRLS IN THE FIRST TEE OF WEST MICHIGAN
STUDENTS ON SCHOLARSHIP
32% GIRLS
68% BOYS 100
2011
2012
2013
20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
0
313
155
73100
200
300
400
41% FULL PRICE
59% SCHOLARSHIP
200
2011
2012
2013
40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180
DIVERSITY IN THE FIRST TEE OF WEST MICHIGAN
2011 2012 2013
STUDENTS IN THELIFE SKILLS EXPERIENCE
5% HISPANIC
5% OTHER
6% AFRICAN AMERICAN
84% CAUCASIAN
11% HISPANIC
15% OTHER
24% AFRICAN AMERICAN
50% CAUCASIAN
NUMBER OF MINORITY STUDENTS
2011: 53
2012: 84
2013: 155
STUDENT HOURS
2012: 2500
2013: 3670
2013 REVENUES
PROGRAM FEES: 6%
DONATIONS FROM YOU: 94%
STUDENTS REACHED THROUGH
IN-SCHOOL PROGRAM
2011: 240 2012: 1621 2013: 1800
OTHER STATS
YEARLY GROWTH
YEARLY GROWTH
616-965-6633
2715 LEONARD ST. NWGRAND RAPIDS, MI 49504
2,113STUDENTS REACHED BY THE FIRST TEE OF
WEST MICHIGAN IN 2013
182STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED BY THE FIRST
TEE OF WEST MICHIGAN IN 2013
99FEMALE STUDENT PARTICIPANTS IN 2013
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE FIRST TEE
OF WEST MICHIGAN, VISIT FACEBOOK OR
WWW.THEFIRSTTEEWESTMICHIGAN.ORG