The GCBAA Foundation will more than double its annual support for its signature Sticks for Kids program to $200,000 next year and will make similar gifts the next two years. The grant will provide more than 10,000 kid-friendly clubs to programs across the country.
“After a lot of discussion about the future, we decided to go big,” outgoing Foundation president Tom Shapland said. “We feel there’s just never been a better time to make this kind of ambitious commitment and do even more to welcome this new generation of youngsters to the sport of a lifetime.”
Shapland said the additional commitment to Sticks for Kids will more than double the number of clubs granted to numerous chapters of The First Tee as well as LPGA*USGA Girls Golf programs. “We want to put even more clubs in the hands of girls across the nation. When motivated kids are provided with clubs, they keep playing.”
The contribution represents a capstone to Shapland’s five-year term as president of the GCBAA’s charitable arm. “No one has done more for the Foundation,” GCBAA president Judd Duininck said. “When you have committed, smart, passionate volunteers like Tom you get things done. Super-charging Sticks for Kids as his last official act is a great example of that.”
The foundation has invested $736,000 in the program, which is nearly a quarter of a century old, and other grow-the-game programs. “We hope the next three years will almost double that and focus even more on supplying clubs to LPGA*USGA Girls Golf sites,” said Justin Apel, executive director for both the association and foundation, said. “All told, those programs touch more than a half-million kids a year.”
Shapland’s successor as president, Ellen Davis, is no stranger to the Foundation having served on GCBAA board for 20 years. Now she’s charged with overseeing this big new initiative.
“It’s humbling to pick up the thread of the years of great work and leadership from Tom,” Davis said. “The success of the Foundation, just like our association, always comes back to terrific people with that can-do volunteer spirit. Tom is just one of those people.”
Davis, manager at SportzMix Solutions/Waupaca Sand and Gravel, said she’s looking forward to directing efforts to support youth instruction and engagement. “We’re making a bigger commitment but our mission has always been to ensure children have the chance to learn the game."
The timing is perfect, LPGA Foundation president Nancy Henderson said. “We are absolutely thrilled to receive this amazing gift of clubs from the GCBAA Foundation and Sticks for Kids. Our goal is to make sure that every girl has the equipment that they need to participate in one of our more than 500 LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Programs across the country. This generous gift could not come at a better time as the post pandemic demand for golf equipment has never been greater.”
Shapland is excited about the Foundation’s future: “Hundreds of members of the GCBAA contributed countless hours to make the association thrive. And when the GCBAA began to thrive, the association was able to use its success to establish a Foundation dedicated to increasing participation in the game of golf. It’s fitting that our new commitment to the game of golf comes in our 50th anniversary year. It’s a great way to celebrate.”