Statements

Mission

To promote golf and its life-enhancing values with an emphasis on teaching youth, veterans, and the disadvantaged.

Background

In 1990, the amateur and professional governing bodies of golf in the state established the Tennessee Golf Foundation, charged with five important objectives: to develop junior golf for boys and girls, to promote golf as an amateur sport in Tennessee, to create Golf House Tennessee and the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame, to encourage turfgrass development within our region and establish an endowment fund to build the game's future in our state. The Vinny Pro-Celebrity Invitational was created and began its run as a key part of the foundation's operation The original goals set forth by the foundation have either been met or are ongoing. In 2003, over 3600 boys and girls are on TGF's active database, amateur golf has a strong base of support, and entries to events are growing with the quality of play world-class. Golf House Tennessee was created in 1995 and the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame has 51 members. With various partnerships, turfgrass research continues at the Little Course at Golf House Tennessee with over 50 varieties of grasses being tested in real-world playing conditions. A unique public/private partnership has been established with the Metropolitan Board of Parks and Recreation creating "The VinnyLinks at Shelby Park." $1.5 million was raised through mostly private contributions to refurbish the Riverview Golf Course into a facility that is designed for kids to develop as golfers and individuals through the national The First Tee youth development initiative.

Impact

The Tennessee Golf Foundation is recognized as having the premier junior golf program in the country. Giving young people the opportunity to play golf in a structured junior golf program, like the Tennessee Golf Foundation's, makes them 50% more likely to be an adult golfer. While learning the game as a junior, young players learn a physical activity as well as a set of positive values and traditions that stay with them for the balance of their lives. The Tennessee Golf Foundation's programs are designed to provide affordable and enjoyable opportunities for golfers with any level of experience. Foundation Goals Goal 1: Golf House Tennessee will be a world class Golf Learning Center featuring the finest teaching by PGA golf professionals. Goal 2: Tennessee will produce world-class players from its junior ranks. Goal 3: Tennessee will have the country's finest junior competitions. Goal 4: Tennessee will have the finest The First Tee network of chapters in the country while developing additional programs to provide affordable access to any child who wants to learn the game, regardless of condition. Goal 5: Tennessee junior golfers will be exposed to golf at its highest levels in order to give them the opportunity to develop their own passion for the game. Goal 6: Tennessee will be the model for all state golf associations.

Needs

Annually we strive to create a set of circumstances for the youth of our state that allows for growth both on, as well as, off the golf course.. We provide an environment in which they play, communicate, overcome adversity, compete and build relationships, knowing all the while how these attributes will set them up for success later in life. Tennessee Golf Foundation conducts programming in 57 of our 95 counties. It is our ongoing effort to grow our endowment and provide programming, within a reasonable drive, in every community from Bristol to Memphis and all 95 counties in Tennessee.

CEO Statement

There are inherent qualities we learn from the game of golf: respect, honesty, perseverance, the list goes on and on. The link between the two is undeniable. Since 1990, thousands upon thousands of children have been impacted by the TGF. Generous supporters have allowed us to grow and thrive, but our work is far from finished. The question we have to answer as an organization is how do we connect MORE of our youth to the game?

Together with our partners, the Tennessee Golf Association and the Tennessee PGA, we have to continue to operate quality, family-friendly golf facilities and expand our programming including instruction and competition, while making sure they remain accessible and affordable. We must strive to find new and better ways to communicate and promote our brand from Bristol to Memphis. I envision an expansion of Golf House into other areas of our state, creating a hub for all things junior golf close to everyone we serve. I can see a day when will have TGF programming in all 95 counties in Tennessee.

All of these things are possible with the support of our donors and participants. We are grateful to be surrounded by strong constituents who give selflessly year after year, and we will continue to push forward toward our goal of linking more youth to golf. Thank you for your dedication to growing our great game in Tennessee.

Whit Turnbow
Tennessee Golf Foundation President

Board Chair Statement

To read more about the Tennessee Golf Foundation, you can download the 2019 Annual Report in PDF format by visiting: www.tngolf.org/tennessee-golf-foundation/progress-report-new-3105.html

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Youth Development  - Youth Development Programs
Secondary Category:	Recreation & Sports  - Golf
Tertiary Category:	-

Areas Served

TN