Button Hole Golf

What Button Hole Golf does

Button Hole Golf is a Providence, Rhode Island-based nonprofit operating a 26-acre community golf facility at 1 Button Hole Drive, founded by Ed Mauro in 2001 on the site of the former Dyerville State Park gravel pit. The organization transforms the abandoned land into a recreational and youth development hub centered on golf, with a 9-hole par 3 walking course, a 300-yard double-ended driving range with 26 mat stations plus 5 grass tee stations, a 16,000 square foot practice putting green, and a chipping/bunker practice area. The Ed Mauro Learning Center is currently under construction to expand instructional capacity.

The organization runs a community-led go-to-market: it recruits youth through a network of 25+ partner schools, Boys & Girls Clubs (Pawtucket and Providence), Special Olympics Rhode Island, Providence Recreation Department, YMCA Providence, and other community organizations, and addresses transportation barriers with a 10-passenger van. Programs include youth lessons, adult beginner group lessons, private lessons, the Kids Love Golf inclusive program, PGA Junior Leagues, Ladies League, Veterans Golf, and the Button Hole Kids Cup. The "Button Hole Kids" membership program allows partner-affiliated youth to play or practice for $1 until age 18, with scholarships funded through donors and foundations.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed and is generated through a mix of course/range/play fees, lesson and league fees, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and individual donations. Major financial backers include CVS Health, Andrade-Faxon Charities for Children (whose Charity Classic has raised over $25 million across two decades), the Rhode Island Foundation, the Champlin Foundation, Papitto Opportunity Connection, Dick's Sporting Goods Foundation, United Way of Rhode Island, AAA Northeast, Bank RI, Textron, and International Game Technologies. Since opening, the facility has hosted approximately 25,000 participants in its lesson programs, with alumni including LPGA Tour winner Megan Khang. PGA of America New England Section and PGA/Reach/Hope provide professional instruction standards. The organization operates with 11-50 employees and has no digital product, mobile app, or AI/ML capabilities.

Name

Button Hole Golf

Legal name

Button Hole Golf

Website

https://buttonhole.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Button Hole Golf is a Providence, Rhode Island nonprofit operating a 26-acre community golf facility on a former gravel pit, delivering youth-development golf instruction, leagues, and recreational play to underserved local youth and the broader Rhode Island community through a 25+ partner network of schools, clubs, and foundations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Golf Instruction and Recreational Facility Services

NAICS

Golf Courses and Country Clubs (713910), Golf Courses and Country Clubs (71391)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPAKAEAD

Golf Courses & Golf Facilities

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Sports (Leagues, Teams, Events, Venues)/Sports Venues & Facilities (Stadiums, Arenas, Tracks, Complexes)

Keywords

• Golf instruction services
• Youth golf programs
• Nonprofit golf facility
• Driving range access
• Junior golf leagues

Headquarters

HQ city

Providence

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Golf course fees and play charges: Revenue from public play fees for the 9-hole par 3 golf course, including rental of pull carts
2. Driving range fees: Revenue from driving range use including basket rentals and mat stations
3. Lesson programs: Fees from youth lessons, adult beginner group lessons, and private lessons
4. Sponsorships and donations: Support from corporate sponsors, foundations, and individual donors to fund youth programs and scholarships
5. League and program fees: Fees for PGA Junior Leagues, Ladies League, Veterans Golf, and Button Hole Kids Cup programs

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Button Hole Golf operates a 26-acre non-profit golf facility in Providence, Rhode Island, providing golf instruction (youth lessons, adult beginner group lessons, private lessons, Kids Love Golf) and public play amenities including a 9-hole par 3 course, a 300-yard driving range with 26 mat stations, a 16,000 sq ft putting green, and chipping/bunker practice areas. The organization delivers structured recreational and competitive programs such as PGA Junior Leagues, Ladies League, Veterans Golf, and the Button Hole Kids Cup.

Product overview

Button Hole Golf is a non-profit golf facility and youth development organization in Providence, Rhode Island. It operates as a single unified facility offering golf instruction programs (Youth Lessons, Adult Beginner Group Lessons, Private Lessons, Kids Love Golf) and golf facilities (9-hole par 3 course, driving range, practice greens, chipping/bunker areas). The organization provides structured golf programs including Button Hole Kids Cup, PGA Junior Leagues, Ladies League, Veterans Golf, and the Button Hole Kids membership program. An Ed Mauro Learning Center is under construction to expand instructional capabilities. The facility serves youth from diverse backgrounds through community partnerships with local schools and organizations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Youth Lessons Golf instruction programs designed for young people, teaching etiquette, strategy, swing skills, and life lessons through the game of golf.
• Adult Beginner Group Lessons Group golf instruction for adults who are new to the game, covering etiquette, on-course strategy, and skill fundamentals.
• Private Lessons One-on-one golf instruction offering personalized coaching and skill development.
• Kids Love Golf Youth-focused program making golf inclusive and welcoming for culturally diverse and economically challenged backgrounds.
• 9-Hole Par 3 Golf Course A 9-hole, par 3 walking golf course that is fun and challenging for all ages and abilities, shared by junior and adult programs, public patrons, leagues, and special events.
• Driving Range 300-yard double-ended practice range featuring 26 mat stations and a grass tee area with 5 stations (available Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday).
• Practice Putting Green 16,000 square foot practice putting green for skill development.
• Chipping and Bunker Practice Area Practice area for chipping and bunker shots with an accompanying putting green.
• Button Hole Kids Cup Junior golf competition and league format for youth participants.
• PGA Junior Leagues Competitive golf experiences through PGA Junior League teams.
• Ladies League Organized golf league for women at the facility.
• Veterans Golf Golf program specifically designed for veterans.
• Button Hole Kids Membership Introductory membership where youth become Button Hole Kids through 6-session clinics and are empowered to play or practice for $1 until age 18.

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Achievement FirstcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner school organization providing youth access to Button Hole's golf instructional programs and life skills development opportunities
• Boys & Girls Clubs PawtucketcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization partnership providing club members access to Button Hole's introductory golf clinics and ongoing instruction
• Boys & Girls Clubs ProvidencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth organization partnership providing Providence club members access to golf programs and Button Hole Kids enrollment
• Special Olympics Rhode IslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing athletes with inclusive golf programming and competitive opportunities
• Providence Recreation DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity partnership for providing youth golf programming and recreation opportunities
• Classical High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchool partnership for student access to golf instruction and programs
• The Met SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlternative high school partnership for youth golf programming
• Times 2 AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTEM-focused academy partnership for student golf access
• YMCA ProvidenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with YMCA providing cross-referral and youth development programming
• Youth on CourseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational youth golf initiative partner providing subsidized play access
• PGA of America - New England SectioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional golf association partnership supporting PGA Junior Leagues and professional instruction standards
• PGA/Reach/HopecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPGA's youth development initiative supporting access to golf for underrepresented youth

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Topgolf: Larger commercial golf entertainment operator offering driving range-style experiences. Comparable as a golf facility model but operates as a for-profit entertainment venue rather than nonprofit youth development.
• Drive, Chip & Putt: Joint PGA/Augusta National/USGA youth skills competition. Comparable as a national youth-golf development and competitive pathway initiative that Button Hole participants can access.

Direct peers

• First Tee: National nonprofit youth development organization introducing golf to young people, particularly underserved youth. Most directly comparable peer in mission, target population, and instructional model.
• Youth on Course: National nonprofit providing subsidized golf access for youth ($5 rounds) at participating courses. Already a Button Hole partner; directly comparable in mission and target demographic.
• PGA Jr. League: PGA of America's junior team-golf league for boys and girls. Already partnered with Button Hole; directly comparable as a competitive youth-golf program operating through local facilities.
• LPGA-USGA Girls Golf: Joint LPGA/USGA initiative providing golf instruction and playing opportunities for girls. Comparable in mission to introduce youth (specifically girls) to golf through accessible programming.

Others

• National Golf Foundation: Industry association supporting golf participation growth, including youth initiatives. Comparable as ecosystem partner rather than direct operator.
• The Hole-in-One Foundation: Nonprofit raising funds for youth charities through hole-in-one insurance and golf events. Comparable as a nonprofit that uses golf as a vehicle for youth-impact fundraising.

Emerging players

• The ACE Group (Adaptive Golf): Organization supporting adaptive and accessible golf programs for diverse populations. Comparable in mission focus on making golf accessible to underrepresented communities.

Regional players

• Municipal golf courses (e.g., Triggs Memorial, Cranston Country Club): Public/municipal golf courses operating in the same Rhode Island region. Comparable as local golf facility operators serving overlapping adult/recreational golfer segments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/buttonhole_golf
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@buttonholegolf5715
• Facebookfacebook.com/100063837151270
• Instagraminstagram.com/buttonholegolf
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/button-hole-golf-course-and-teaching-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Button Hole Golf