First Tee - Greater Detroit
First Tee – Greater Detroit is a Michigan nonprofit chapter of the national First Tee youth development network, delivering golf-based character education and life-skills programs to youth ages 5-17 across the Greater Detroit metropolitan area through partner golf facilities, schools, and community venues.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersDetroit, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What First Tee - Greater Detroit does
First Tee – Greater Detroit is a Michigan-incorporated nonprofit (legal entity: Detroit Youth Golf Program, L3C) that operates as a regional chapter of the national First Tee youth development network, itself affiliated with the PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation, Inc. Headquartered at 3011 W Grand Blvd., Suite 218 in Detroit, MI, with a 12-person staff, the chapter delivers golf-based personal growth programs to youth ages 5-17 across the Greater Detroit metropolitan area, integrating on-course golf instruction with a national life-skills and character-education curriculum (the CARE framework).
The organization's core offerings comprise outdoor 5-week sessions ($75) and indoor 4-week sessions ($65) for ages 7-17, a summer program for ages 5-6, school-based programming delivered in partnership with Detroit-area schools, the Durfee Innovation Society Classroom, PGA Jr League participation, Youth on Course access, and national-level opportunities such as the PURE Insurance Championship and Game Changers Academy. Programming is delivered at 11+ partner golf facilities (Maple Lane, Rackham, Rouge Park, Northville Hills, Lakes of Taylor, Washtenaw GC, Warren Valley, Belle Isle, Indian Springs, Beech Woods, Chandler Park) and is supported by a trained volunteer coach network, a Graduating Senior Scholarship, and equipment donation programs (including a Next Round partnership for used-club donations).
Its revenue model is a five-stream nonprofit mix: per-session program registration fees, tax-deductible individual and corporate donations, corporate sponsorships (GameAbove Sports, PWC, Hylant, Bank of America, Ralph C. Wilson Jr Foundation, Greyson, Children's Foundation, and others), fundraising event revenue (Game Changer Classic Golf Outing, Detroit Ovation River Cruise, 100 Hole Marathon, Augusta Watch Party), and in-kind golf equipment contributions. Financial aid and a 50% military discount are administered at checkout, and pricing is disclosed publicly on the chapter's website.
First Tee - Greater Detroit firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- First Tee - Greater Detroit
- Legal name
- Detroit Youth Golf Program, L3C d/b/a First Tee – Greater Detroit
- Website
- https://firstteegreaterdetroit.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- First Tee – Greater Detroit is a Michigan nonprofit chapter of the national First Tee youth development network, delivering golf-based character education and life-skills programs to youth ages 5-17 across the Greater Detroit metropolitan area through partner golf facilities, schools, and community venues.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
First Tee - Greater Detroit industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Development Services
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Intramural Sports & Recreational Leagues (EDALAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Golf Courses & Golf Facilities (MPAKAEAD), Youth & Amateur Sports Tournaments (MPAGAMAF)
Keywords
Where First Tee - Greater Detroit is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Detroit
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
First Tee - Greater Detroit business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Program Registration Fees: Revenue from participant registration fees for youth golf and character education programs. Outdoor sessions run 5 weeks at $75; indoor sessions run 4 weeks at $65.
- Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations supporting the nonprofit mission of youth development through golf.
- Corporate Sponsorships: Support from corporate sponsors at various levels (Corporate Sponsors and Supporting Partners) who fund programs and events.
- Golf Equipment Donations: Equipment donations from individuals, including adult and youth golf clubs, with proceeds through the Next Round partnership.
- Event Revenue: Revenue from fundraising events including Game Changer Classic Golf Outing, Detroit Ovation River Cruise, Augusta Watch Party, and 100 Hole Marathon.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Per session | Outdoor Programs - 5-week sessions for ages 7-17 |
| Subscription | Per session | Indoor Programs - 4-week sessions for ages 7-17 |
| Subscription | Per session | Summer Program - for children ages 5-6 |
| Other | Per session | Financial Aid |
| Other | Per session | Military Discount |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
First Tee - Greater Detroit product offering
Product offeringCore offering
First Tee - Greater Detroit delivers youth development programs that integrate golf instruction with a structured character and life skills curriculum for participants ages 5-17 in the Greater Detroit area. Offerings include seasonal Outdoor Sessions, Indoor Sessions, a School Program, PGA Jr League team play, Youth on Course access, and entry points to national opportunities such as the PURE Insurance Championship and Game Changers Academy. The organization also awards a Graduating Senior Scholarship and operates a merchandise storefront.
Product overview
First Tee – Greater Detroit is a youth development organization that operates as a single integrated program rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offering consists of golf-based personal growth programs for children ages 5-17, combining golf instruction with life skills curriculum. Programs include outdoor and indoor sessions at various golf course locations throughout Greater Detroit, a school program, national competitive opportunities (PURE Insurance Championship, Game Changers Academy), PGA Jr League, and Youth on Course access. The organization also runs fundraising events including the Game Changer Classic Golf Outing, Detroit Ovation River Cruise, 100 Hole Marathon, and Augusta Watch Party. Supporting services include volunteer coaching, equipment donation programs, a merchandise store (Athletic Solutions FT Store), and a graduating senior scholarship. The portfolio is unified under the First Tee brand with a consistent CARE framework for character development.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Outdoor Sessions
Quantifiable outcome
- 84% of teens and 85% of alumni report that First Tee helped them be a better student
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use First Tee - Greater Detroit
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
First Tee - Greater Detroit technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
First Tee - Greater Detroit partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
28 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, flagship, core, corporate sponsor, supporting partner, venue partner and program location.
- Next RoundsupportingPartnership for golf equipment donations. Individuals can donate used clubs through the Next Round program, with 100% of the equipment's valued amount coming directly to First Tee - Greater Detroit. No fees involved.
- PGA TOUR ChampionsflagshipPGA TOUR Champions partners with First Tee for the PURE Insurance Championship, which pairs First Tee teens with PGA TOUR Champions professionals for competition and mentorship at Pebble Beach Golf Links.
- PURE InsuranceflagshipTitle sponsor of the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting First Tee, which pairs First Tee participants with PGA TOUR Champions professionals.
- AWS (Amazon Web Services)corePartner of the First Tee Game Changers Academy, providing financial support and leading activities and sessions throughout the week-long leadership event.
- TopgolfcorePartner for the Game Changers Academy and other programs. Provides venues for golf experiences and financial support for the national leadership event.
- 3M OpencorePartner of the Game Changers Academy, providing clinic experiences and financial support for the leadership program for teens.
- Paradies Lagarderecorporate sponsorCorporate sponsor of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- PGA Superstorecorporate sponsorCorporate sponsor of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- Focus Partnerscorporate sponsorCorporate sponsor of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- GJCcorporate sponsorCorporate sponsor of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- GameAbove Sportscorporate sponsorCorporate sponsor of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- Rocket Classicsupporting partnerSupporting partner of First Tee - Greater Detroit through the Rocket Classic Connecting Community Champions program.
- PWCsupporting partnerSupporting partner of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- Hylantsupporting partnerSupporting partner of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- Stevenson and Bullocksupporting partnerSupporting partner of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- Children's Foundationsupporting partnerSupporting partner of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- Greysonsupporting partnerOuterwear sponsor of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- Kemp Klein Law Firmsupporting partnerSupporting partner of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- Zurichsupporting partnerSupporting partner of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- Bank of Americasupporting partnerSupporting partner of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- Sidecar Slider Barsupporting partnerSupporting partner of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- Cub Golfsupporting partnerSupporting partner and radio media partner of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- Sports Rap Networksupporting partnerRadio media partner of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- WHO Marketingsupporting partnerSupporting partner of First Tee - Greater Detroit.
- Wabeek Country Clubvenue partnerVenue for the annual Game Changer Classic Golf Outing fundraiser.
- Chandler Park Golf Coursevenue partnerPrimary venue for the 100 Hole Marathon event and program location for youth participants.
- Jefferson Beach Marinavenue partnerVenue for the annual Detroit Ovation River Cruise fundraising event.
- Northville Hills Golf Clubprogram locationNew program location added for 2026 Fall Programming.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
First Tee - Greater Detroit competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Drive, Chip & Putt: Joint USGA-PGA of America-Augusta National junior golf development program culminating at Augusta National. Directly comparable as a youth-development-through-golf platform aimed at the same age range and aspirational pathway mindset.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan: Detroit-area youth development nonprofit offering character-building, life-skills, and sports programming to the same age demographic. Competes for the same youth, parent attention, and corporate donor dollars in the Detroit metro.
- The First Tee of Silicon Valley: Sister chapter of the national First Tee network operating in a different metro. Directly comparable as a chapter-level First Tee entity delivering identical curriculum, pricing tiers, and program structure locally.
- TGR Foundation: Tiger Woods' youth development nonprofit using golf and education to empower underserved youth. Directly comparable in mission, methodology (golf as a vehicle for life skills), and target demographic.
- PGA Jr. League: Team-based youth golf league run by the PGA of America. Competes for the same junior golfer demographic with a similar competitive/team-based format, and is already offered as a program within First Tee - Greater Detroit's portfolio.
Emerging players
- U.S. Kids Golf Foundation: Junior golf organization running tournaments, coaching certification, and the Longleaf Tee System for youth. Comparable focus on making golf accessible and developmentally appropriate for children ages 5-17.
- Youth on Course: National nonprofit providing subsidized youth access to golf courses. Already a program partner of First Tee - Greater Detroit, and competes for the same mission space of broadening youth access to the game.
Broad incumbents
- YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit: Regional youth recreation, sports instruction, and character-development nonprofit serving Greater Detroit. Comparable target audience, similar subscription/registration pricing model, and overlapping corporate sponsor base.
- American Junior Golf Association (AJGA): National organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf. Comparable junior-golf developmental focus with broader tournament infrastructure.
- First Tee (PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation, Inc.): National parent organization and the chapter's umbrella entity. Operates the broader First Tee network, the Game Changers Academy, and partnerships with PGA TOUR Champions, AWS, and Topgolf. Comparable because it delivers the same youth-golf-plus-life-skills curriculum that the chapter delivers locally.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
First Tee - Greater Detroit social profiles
Digital presenceFirst Tee - Greater Detroit financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
First Tee - Greater Detroit leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
First Tee - Greater Detroit funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
First Tee - Greater Detroit M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about First Tee - Greater Detroit
What does First Tee - Greater Detroit do?
First Tee - Greater Detroit delivers youth development programs that integrate golf instruction with a structured character and life skills curriculum for participants ages 5-17 in the Greater Detroit area. Offerings include seasonal Outdoor Sessions, Indoor Sessions, a School Program, PGA Jr League team play, Youth on Course access, and entry points to national opportunities such as the PURE Insurance Championship and Game Changers Academy. The organization also awards a Graduating Senior Scholarship and operates a merchandise storefront.
Is First Tee - Greater Detroit a public or private company?
First Tee - Greater Detroit is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was First Tee - Greater Detroit founded?
First Tee - Greater Detroit was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is First Tee - Greater Detroit based?
First Tee - Greater Detroit is headquartered in Detroit, United States, in the North America region.
How does First Tee - Greater Detroit make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Program Registration Fees are the primary driver. The others are donations and Contributions, corporate Sponsorships, golf Equipment Donations and event Revenue.
Who are First Tee - Greater Detroit's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Drive, Chip & Putt, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan, The First Tee of Silicon Valley, TGR Foundation and PGA Jr. League. Emerging players are U.S. Kids Golf Foundation and Youth on Course. Broad incumbents are YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit, American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) and First Tee (PGA TOUR First Tee Foundation, Inc.).
Does First Tee - Greater Detroit have an API?
No public API is recorded for First Tee - Greater Detroit.
What industry is First Tee - Greater Detroit in?
First Tee - Greater Detroit's product category is Youth Development Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDALAIAC, Intramural Sports & Recreational Leagues, with a secondary code of MPAKAEAD, Golf Courses & Golf Facilities. Its NAICS code is 61162 and its SIC code is 8200.