ANNUAL REVIEWWWW.THEFIRSTTEEWESTMICHIGAN.ORG

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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.

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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

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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.”

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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

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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!

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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

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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

INFO@THEFIRSTTEEWESTMICHIGAN.ORG

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