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ARIZONA GOLF AND LIFE SKILLS INC

PHOENIX, AZ · EIN 522103204 · Form 990 · FY2022 · NTEE N6A · Recreation & Sports · Medium ($1M-$10M) · www.firstteephoenix.org
revenue
$1.1M
expenses
$1.0M
net assets
$2.3M
employees
14
volunteers
266
program ratio
59%
mission · from form 990

TEACHES LIFE-SKILLS THROUGH THE GAME OF GOLF FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH WHO ARE FINANCIALLY UNABLE.

profile · synthesized from sources

First Tee – Phoenix is a youth development organization that uses the game of golf to teach life skills and character education to young people. They offer on-course programs, school-based initiatives, and competitive tournaments, with a focus on making golf accessible to all youth in Maricopa County, Arizona.

named programs · 6 · from sources

what they call their work

FT-PHX Tour
Competitive junior golf tournaments for approved tournament players, including majors and Rising Star events for new players.
First Tee School Program
Integrates golf and life skills into elementary and middle school PE classes, focusing on social-emotional learning.
Kloenne Cup
"Ryder Cup" style invitational tournament for top FT-PHX Tour players, held annually in honor of a founding member.
On-Course Program
Golf and character-building programs for youth ages 7-18, offered at multiple locations throughout the valley, with annual membership access.
Teen Program
Opportunities for teens aged 14+ including advanced programming, national opportunities, scholarships, and junior volunteering.
Tiny Teez Program
Developmental golf program for children ages 4-6, focusing on fun, beginner-friendly drills and games.
activities · 5 clusters

what they do

  • Youth Golf and Tennis Life Skills Programs 5 activities
    • Developmental golf programs for young children
      Runs a developmental golf program for children ages 4–6 that uses drills and games to teach golf etiquette, rules, and foundational motor skills in an age-appropriate format.
    • In-School Golf and Life Skills Integration
      Integrates golf and life skills into physical education classes for elementary and middle school students to support social-emotional learning and resilience, providing curriculum, training, equipment, and lesson plans to physical educators.
    • School-based physical education support and training
      Provides physical educators with training, equipment, and lesson plans that integrate life skills, values, and motor skills through golf, supporting the implementation of the First Tee School Program in physical education classes nationwide since 2004.
    • Youth Golf and Life Skills Programs
      Offers golf-based programs that integrate life skills curriculum to help youth develop character, self-confidence, and resilience. These include junior golf classes, in-school and after-school activities, and a developmental golf program for children ages 4–6.
    • Youth golf and life skills classes
      Offers junior golf classes, in-school and after-school programs, and spring session classes from March 24 to May 17 annually, integrating golf with life skills curriculum to support youth character development, self-confidence, resilience, and social-emotional learning for elementary and middle school students.
  • Amateur Golf Tournament Organization 2 activities
    • FT-PHX Tour and youth tournament pathway
      Operates the FT-PHX Tour, offering youth a progression into competitive golf through four major tournaments annually, Rising Star events for new players, and the Kloenne Cup invitational Ryder Cup-style tournament, with player selection based on prior performance and team structure.
    • Youth Golf Tournament Series
      Operates the FT – PHX Tour to help youth transition from introductory programming to competitive junior golf by offering tournament experiences, including the Kloenne Cup invitational and Rising Star Tournaments for new players.
  • Financial Accessibility Support for Golf 2 activities
    • Fee assistance and access programs
      Provides fee waivers covering up to 100% of membership or camp costs for families in need, assessed case by case, to ensure affordable access to golf and learning facilities for young people in Maricopa County, especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
    • Financial Assistance and Access to Golf
      Provides fee waivers covering up to 100% of membership or camp costs for families in need and offers affordable access to golf and golf learning facilities for young people in Maricopa County.
  • Youth Service Leadership Clubs 2 activities
    • Youth Leadership and Scholarship Programs
      Offers annual scholarships to graduating seniors who have participated in programming for more than two years and operates a junior volunteer program where teens support younger participants in classes and events.
    • Youth scholarship and volunteer programs
      Provides annual scholarships to graduating seniors who have participated in programming for more than two years and operates a junior volunteer program where teens support younger participants in classes and events.
  • Youth Safety Screening & Training 2 activities
    • Youth Protection and Safety Protocols
      Conducts background checks and requires Safe Sport training for all employees, coaches, volunteers, and board members, and provides an anonymous email reporting channel for allegations of misconduct to ensure youth safety.
    • Youth safety and protection protocols
      Conducts background checks and requires Safe Sport training for all employees, coaches, volunteers, and board members, and provides an anonymous email channel for reporting misconduct to ensure a safe environment for youth participants.
financials · form 990 · fy2022

the money

revenue
Total revenue$1.11M
Contributions & grants$837K76%
Program service revenue$192K17%
Investment income$77K7%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$1.01M
Program expenses59%
Admin / overhead31%
Fundraising10%
Salaries & benefits$543K
Grants paid out$40K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$2.44M
Cash$306K
Investments$2.05M
Liabilities$190K
Net assets$2.25M
Liquid reserves28.0 mo
2 years on record · 2020–2022 · YoY revenue +20.7%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2022

who runs it

paid leadership · 1
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
ERIN MCDONOUGH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 40 $110K
board members · 15
  • AMY LOUIS — DIRECTOR
  • ANDREW HARDEN — DIRECTOR
  • CURT KNAPP — DIRECTOR
  • DANIEL CALIHAN — CHAIR
  • DEBBIE WAITKUS — VICE CHAIR
  • JANE SPICER — DIRECTOR
  • JEREMY ANDERSON — DIRECTOR
  • LAURA DRAEGER-INGRAM — DIRECTOR
  • PETE KUEHNER — TREASURER
  • RACHEL SKAFF — DIRECTOR
  • RICHARD STROZEWSKI — DIRECTOR
  • ROBBIE PETTY — DIRECTOR
  • STACEY PAUWELS — DIRECTOR
  • STEVE JORDAN — SECRETARY
  • TONY FRAKES — DIRECTOR
relationships · 9

who they work with

  • First Tee Network — ARIZONA GOLF AND LIFE SKILLS INC operates as First Tee – Phoenix, part of the national First Tee network.
  • First Tee Network — Operates as a local chapter of the national First Tee network, delivering its standardized youth development programming.
  • First Tee – Tucson Partner — Collaborated with State Forty Eight and First Tee – Phoenix on branded apparel
  • PGA TOUR Superstore Partner — Hosts a simulator event as one of the fun tournaments open to members and adults.
  • PGA Tour Superstore Partner — Offers simulator month program in partnership with First Tee – Phoenix
  • Society of Health and Physical Educators Network — Aligns First Tee School Program curriculum with national physical education standards developed by SHAPE.
  • State Forty Eight Partner — Collaborated on branded apparel with First Tee – Tucson and First Tee – Phoenix
  • The Thunderbirds Partner — Local community-oriented group that actively supports First Tee – Phoenix through event proceeds, including those from the Phoenix Open.
  • US Center for Safe Sport Partner — References the US Center for Safe Sport as a key resource for youth safety and Safe Sport compliance.