Team Wall

Elise, Carson, Davis, and I are getting ready to participate in First Tee - Manhattan's 15th Annual Golf Marathon on Sunday, October 10th and plan to play 100 holes on the Colbert Hills Par 3 Course to support this wonderful local non-profit organization. As Executive Director of First Tee - Manhattan, I’m very proud of our recent chapter accomplishments and the tremendous growth we have seen in participants. This year we resumed all of our programs after being limited due to COVID in 2021. To date, we saw a record number of registered participants with 651 local youth participating in life skills and golf lessons at Colbert Hills!

This will be the 9th year “Team Wall” has participated in the Golf Marathon and it has been a great experience for our family to spend time together on the golf course for a great cause. This was Carson's 3rd year as a First Tee participant and first in the PLAYer Level. He participated in every session during the spring, summer, and fall. In previous years, Davis didn't have much interest in playing golf but did enjoy watching the grounds crew and all of their equipment. However, this summer he has taken an interest in playing and it has been so much fun seeing him improve. He frequently asks to go to the driving range or to go out an putt. Davis is VERY excited to start the First Tee in the TARGET Level next summer!

First Tee - Manhattan had a record breaking year with 561 youth participants who participated in the spring, summer, and fall programs at Colbert Hills Golf Course. We were able to resume our outreach programs with the Boys & Girls Club, Flint Hills Summer Fun Camp, and Manhattan Catholic School. Additionally, we formed a new partnership with Pawnee Mental Health and were able to provide lessons to the youth they serve. The First Tee School Program was taught in 20 elementary schools in USD 383, USD 475, and other local elementary schools where over 7,500 students engaged in a structured golf curriculum that promotes personal character development through the First Tee Nine Core Values and Nine Healthy Habits.

Participant registration fees range from $45 - $89 and the organization receives several compliments about offering an affordable youth development program in the Manhattan community. However, the average cost per participant is approximately $250 so to offset the registration fee difference the chapter raises money through grants, individual/corporate contributions, and special events such as the Golf Marathon.

Therefore, we would like to ask for your support with a per hole pledge that will make a difference for the future of this local youth organization. We are making a personal commitment of $1.00 per hole for a $100 donation to First Tee - Manhattan.

A donation example would be if you make a $0.50 per hole pledge and our team completes 100 holes then your contribution is $50 and fully tax-deductible. However, feel free to pledge any amount and ALL donations are important and add up! Every dollar raised will stay with the local chapter.

Best wishes and THANKS for supporting this wonderful and fun youth development organization!

The Wall Family