First Tee - Greater Akron

We're excited to welcome Mark Gerberich to the First Tee – Greater Akron team as our new Director of Development.

Mark brings a deep commitment to our community and a passion for creating opportunities that help young people grow both on and off the golf course.

As we continue to expand our impact across Greater Akron, strong leadership and meaningful partnerships are essential to ensuring every child has access to the life-changing experiences First Tee provides.

Please join us in welcoming Mark to the team!

Read more about Mark's role and what this means for our future: https://firstteeakron.org/first-tee-greater-akron-strengthens-development-team-with-hire-of-mark-gerberich/

What a day. 🎉

Thursday's 9th Annual Law Enforcement Education Day - Putting with Police - was one for the books. We welcomed 553 total guests, including 421 kids and teens, making it the largest attendance in the event's 9-year history.

This event exists for one reason: to build trust between young people and law enforcement. Days like Thursday remind us why that work matters.

Kids spent the afternoon on the driving range, putting green, and golf cart rides alongside officers - plus pizza, Kona Ice, ice cream, a DJ, a magician, a gaming truck, a dunk tank, and airbrush tattoos. Fun, connection, and memories all in one place.

None of it happens without our incredible sponsors. Thank you to Presenting Sponsor Kaulig Giving, Support Sponsors BFG Federal Credit Union, Rotary Club of Akron, and Akron Bar Foundation, Ice Cream Sponsor Huntington National Bank, and Pizza Sponsor DeCheco's Pizzeria.

We were honored to have nine law enforcement agencies on the course: Akron Police, Bath Police, Copley Police, Cuyahoga Falls Police, Fairlawn Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Summa Health Police, Springfield Police, and the Summit County Sheriff's Office, along with Akron Fire Department.

Community partners made the day even richer: the Cleveland Cavs, Cleveland Monsters, Cleveland Charge, University of Akron Football, and Girl Scouts,

Community groups bringing kids to the event included South Street Ministries, City of Akron Community Centers, Salvation Army, Because He Cares, Shaw JCC, Akron Inner City Soccer Club, Hope & Elevation Behavioral Health, Cascade Village YMCA, Westminster YMCA, YMCA Family Enrichment Center, Before The Crowning, GoalGetta Academy, and Childtime.

We also welcomed Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich, Clerk of Courts Tavia Galonski, Councilpersons Tina Boyes and Mark Greer, City of Akron Chief of Public Safety Craig Morgan, and Zippy!

This is what community looks like. Year 10, here we come. 🙌

It's here! 🏌️ Putting with Police - today, 11am at Mud Run Golf Course & Driving Range. Nine years of bringing our community together one putt at a time.

Thank you, Matt, for putting into words something we see every day at First Tee – Greater Akron: the most meaningful outcomes often have very little to do with golf itself.

Yes, kids learn how to hold a club, hit a shot, and navigate a golf course. But they also learn how to handle challenges, build confidence, connect with others, and believe in themselves. Those are the lessons that stay with them long after a round of golf is over.

We're grateful to Matt for sharing this perspective and helping shine a light on the impact youth programs like First Tee can have on young people.

Give it a read and let us know what resonates with you most. ⛳❤️

The Best Thing First Tee Is Teaching Kids Has Nothing to Do With Golf — NewClub | Your new golf club There’s a weird thing that happens when you love golf as much as I do. You want your kids to love it too. Not because you need them to become golfers. And honestly, not even because you care if they ever get “good.” You just know what the game has given you. The challenge. The life lessons. Th...

Some friendships start in the classroom.
Some start in the neighborhood.
And some start on the golf course. ⛳💚

At First Tee – Greater Akron, kids from different schools, backgrounds, and experiences come together through the game of golf — and along the way, they build friendships that may have never happened otherwise.

What starts as sharing a putting green or cheering each other on during a lesson often turns into confidence, connection, laughter, and lifelong memories.

On this Best Friends Day, we’re celebrating the friendships formed through First Tee and the incredible impact they have on our participants both on and off the course.

Because sometimes the most meaningful friendships are the ones you never expected. 💚

Every child deserves the opportunity to build confidence, discover their potential, and have a mentor who believes in them.

The Ray Kapper Charity Golf Classic makes that possible.

As First Tee – Greater Akron's largest fundraiser of the year, this event helps provide life-changing opportunities for local kids through scholarships, equipment, coach training, outreach programs, and experiences that extend far beyond the golf course.

Because of the support generated through the Ray Kapper Charity Golf Classic, we can reach more young people across our community and create an even deeper impact on those already in our program—helping them grow in confidence, resilience, character, and leadership.

When you support the Ray Kapper Charity Golf Classic, you're not just supporting a golf event. You're investing in the future of the next generation.

Sponsorships are still available! See link below for details.

2026 Kapper Help First Tee - Greater Akron spread the word about 2026 Ray Kapper Charity Golf Classic Benefiting First Tee - Greater Akron!

Look up, Akron! Today is the city’s very first Blimp Day, and we are proud to celebrate alongside this incredible community. Wingfoot One and Wingfoot Two cruised over all 24 neighborhoods this morning, and it’s a perfect reminder of what makes Akron special.

At First Tee Greater Akron, we’re inspired every day by this city and the young people growing up in it. Here’s to Akron – keep your eyes on the sky!

Please join us in welcoming our newest intern, Sean Bingle, to First Tee – Greater Akron!

Sean is a Sport Science and Management major at Xavier University and will be supporting our team throughout the busy summer season.

Through a grant partnership with Akron Community Foundation, we're able to provide meaningful hands-on experience for college students while expanding our ability to serve more young people in our community. We're grateful for the support that makes opportunities like this possible.

Welcome to the team, Sean! We’re excited to have you with us and look forward to the impact you'll make this season.

First Tee – Greater Akron’s “Tee Mobile” Program wrapped up it’s 2025 - 2026 School Tour in style, with the Summer Tour right around the corner! We would like to extend our sincerest THANK YOU to the numerous schools and districts throughout and around Summit County!

First Tee – Greater Akron was able to impact over 14,000 students through 25 school visits and 6 Field Days. We look forward to another exciting and impactful school year in 2026 – 2027. As Alice Cooper said, SCHOOLS OUT FOR SUMMER!

📣 Spring Session Recap! ⛳

First Tee – Greater Akron wrapped up an incredible 2026 spring season with 180 kids participating at Raintree Golf & Event Center and Mud Run Golf Course & Driving Range!

Our participants spent the season learning putting, chipping, and driving skills while focusing on First Tee’s 5 Key Commitments both on and off the course. We also celebrated an exciting milestone — our first spring using the new First Tee practice range at Mud Run! 🙌

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this season memorable. Be sure to check out photos from the spring classes! 📸