GOLF PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS INC
Our Inclusive, award-winning program is helps students find Their right P.A.T.H. in life, through Golf!
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
1) The staggering number of young people dealing with family hardships and tragedies in need of direction, support and mentorship. 2) Declining rounds of golf played nationwide, prompting the rapid pace of family affordable golf course closures.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
GPS Golf Program In Schools,Inc.
Golf Program in Schools (GPS) –
The letters GPS are usually associated with giving directions – getting on the right path to your destination. We would like to introduce you to a new GPS, Golf Program in Schools – a program designed to help students find their right P.A.T.H. in life through golf.
Our mission at GPS is to introduce students to the game of golf, and more importantly, provide valuable life lessons and information about scholarships and career paths. We started our program in the Peoria Unified School District and have expanded to all 8 school districts in the West Phoenix Valley, teaching grades 5 – 9. Then using the proven model, we can expand nationwide.
GPS emphasizes the character traits of Persistence, Achievement, Trustworthiness, and Healthy lifestyle (PATH) in students’ lives which can help them find their way as they navigate the challenges of growing up.
To properly introduce students to the game of golf, GPS provides a 5-day course with hands-on golf instruction from a Golf Teaching Professional right in their school. The instruction is provided in their regular physical education classes at no cost to the schools or the students. The program includes a field trip to the Sun City Country Club for the students to try out what they have learned at an actual golf course.
GPS aims to make a positive difference in students’ lives by doing the following:
- Introduce the benefits of learning the game of golf. Some 25 million people in the Unites States play golf. Learning the game will allow students to make many personal and professional contacts that will be of great benefit throughout their lives.
- Educate students about available scholarships. In past years, golf scholarships at colleges and universities have gone un-applied for. When scholarships are not utilized, that translates into lost potential. A golf scholarship can make the difference in giving the student an opportunity to attend college. GPS will help guide students and parents by providing information about available scholarship opportunities.
- Inform students about golf related career paths. There are about 15,000 golf courses in the Unites States that provide direct golf industry job opportunities. In addition, there are a vast number of other companies connected to golf (e.g. equipment, travel, retail) where students can find additional career paths.
- Provide instruction about a fun sport that can be played for a lifetime.
- Give an opportunity for students of all skill and physical ability levels to incorporate golf as part of a healthy lifestyle.
If you have a desire to work with students, have a passion for golf, and want to make a difference in the lives of young people, become a GPS volunteer. In addition, we need sponsors to provide the financial resources needed to extend this program. Sun City Country Club is a proud sponsor of GPS. Please contact me at [email protected] to learn more about how you can be a part of this important new program.
GPS Golf Academy
Golf is one of those sports which we can play at any age. When you start golfing at a young age, you have the opportunity to develop skills and apply your talent to a game which tends to treat you like LIFE. When you play golf at an older age, you appreciate the new lessons you learn every time you finish 18 holes.
The GPS Academy offers many types of programs which include after-school private and group lessons, and home-school field trips. Private lessons are available and can be tailored to your needs. All of our programs are inclusive, no discrimination of age, race, national origin, color, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion or genetic information. Contact us today, or join us at the GPS Golf Academy and see for yourself.
We have recently created the 'Safe 6 Program' in accordance with all local and state Covid-19 guidelines.
6 students, 6 feet apart at all times. This allows for some much needed fresh air and exercise during the pandemic!
Lessons at the GPS Academy are designed to build upon the fundamentals (Grip, Posture & Swing GPS) and if this is your first time to enjoy golf, learning these fundamentals will set the platform for your GPS. We play this game to have fun and that’s how we’ve designed our classes. Our coaches love the game and their enthusiastic approach is infectious.
All lessons will take place at Sun City Country Club. Our golf simulator and ‘Academy Clubroom,’ also allow us to conduct workshops and homework components of the program. Golfers enjoy the use of all Country Club facilities during lessons, including driving range, putting green, chipping area and the course. Respect of Club rules and regulations are required.
Maximum of 6:1 coach to student ratio (younger age classes 4:1)
Golfers will be able to learn, practice and apply the focus of each lesson.
The GPS Academy allows students to develop:
Acquisition of Golf’s ‘Fundamentals’ (Alignment, Grip, Posture, Swing)
Decision making skills
Motor skill maturity
Mental and physiological awareness
Goal setting, planning and executing
Golf and life balance education
Self-respect
Accountability & Responsibility
Where we work
Awards
Congressional Recognition 2019
Representative Debbie Lesko
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of schools and school districts reached
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
GPS Golf Program In Schools,Inc.
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We have been approved in 11 school districts. 8 in West-Phoenix Metropolitan area, 2 in Montgomery, Alabama, and 1 in Tempe, AZ. Many more coming soon!
Percentage of students who want to keep golf in their lives following our classes (based on student survey responses).
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
GPS Golf Program In Schools,Inc.
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Based on post class student surveys, students who go through our program want to keep golf as a part of their lives. * Not in schools 2020 due to covid
Percentage of PE Teachers who thought the GPS classes were a valuable experience for the students (based on teacher survey results)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
GPS Golf Program In Schools,Inc.
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Teacher surveys following the week of GPS classes show that the teachers believe GPS is providing a valuable experience for their students. * Not in schools 2020 due to covid
Number of students through the GPS classes
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth
Related Program
GPS Golf Program In Schools,Inc.
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Results are based on the school year, i.e. 2019 is data from the 2019-2020 school year. Covid-19 cancelled the 2019-2021 school years in February. Started back in schools semester 2, in spring 2022.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
We want to improve our communities and enhance student's lives by introducing them to a game that everyone can play for a lifetime and has positive and lasting effects. Playing golf teaches values that can help students make good decisions to find their right PATH in their lives. Because we are part of the school curriculum, we are reaching all students across all socio-economic boundaries in each school we serve. Our short-term goal is to serve all school districts on the Westside of the Phoenix metro area reaching 168,000 students per year. Our long-term goal is to grow to Statewide and eventually to a Nationwide program serving 19,000,000 5th-9th grade students while enhancing family values and quality of life in our communities.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
We are adding new schools and districts to the core area we are serving every semester. We are working with each school district to improve our processes, other golf courses to expand the number of students reached each year and other non-profits to bring our inclusive program to every 5th-9th grade student. We are also working with the school's volunteer bases to grow our volunteer base to support more classes. We are seeking corporate sponsorship for our proven, inclusive, award-winning program to fund additional PGA/USTGF instructors, staff and equipment. GPS is currently operating with an all-volunteer staff.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have talented core volunteers who enjoy working with students and understand the value we provide to both the students and to the community. We have established strategic partnerships with the school districts we serve and they are seeking to support our expansion. We are supported by an 8 member board and a 12 member Advisory Council who are community leaders who offer strategic advice and planning. We have the GPS Academy that offers family affordable lessons for groups and individuals that wish to continue their golf instruction. We have also formed alliances with other non-profits, such as PGA Jr. Golf, Arizona Jr. Golf, The Cactus Tour, and others to upstream students who wish to further their skills to compete.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We have established an Inclusive, award-winning, non discriminatory program that the schools we have taught in, and the students that have been through the program, are excited about. We have a teaching plan that maximizes the amount of time students are swinging golf clubs.
We are working to attract corporate sponsors and donors to fund additional certified teachers and staff to expand the program. We also continue to work with new schools and new districts to expand the reach of our program to serve more students.
We have attracted a talented Board of Directors, Advisory Council and volunteers who are working to offer this program to every 5th -9th grade student regardless of their socio-economic background.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.),
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve,
-
What significant change resulted from feedback?
Our Survey itself was cumbersome and difficult for the students to navigate. We recreated the survey to be more user friendly in a new platform. The percentage of satisfied 'customers' remains significantly high for the program among teachers and students.
-
With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
Our staff, Our board,
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback,
Financials
Sign In or Create Account to view assets data
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
GOLF PROGRAM IN SCHOOLS INC
Board of directorsas of 04/21/2022
Mr. Tom Loegering
CEO Sun City Country Club
Term: 2014 -
TJ Loegering
Real Estate Management Services
Scott Rutter
GPS Golf Academy
Jamey Lewis
GM Sun city Country Club
Bill Poirier
Golf Fom The Heart
Ashley Cunningham
Controller- Sun City Country Club
George Sealy
Retired
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Not applicable
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data