By Kelly Churney
Pros 4 Kids started in 2014 as a way for the Indiana PGA to give back to First Tee-Indiana, the Indiana Golf Foundation and the Indiana golf community. Originally called “Indiana Golf Charities Day,” Indiana PGA Professionals and Associates were asked to play 72 holes, with the objective to make as many birdies as possible to raise money. The spirited atmosphere and camaraderie among PGA Professionals make this event special.
“Playing in the Pros 4 Kids has always been a special experience,” said Dan Ross, Director of Golf at Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex in West Lafayette. “Having an opportunity to play golf and raise money for the Foundation and local charities has been very rewarding.”
On average, 20-25 people participate annually, and a total of 60 different PGA members have participated in it the last eight years. In addition to support of First 
Tee-Indiana and the Indiana Golf Foundation, money has also been raised for Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, Gleaner’s Food Bank, Folds of Honor, Columbus Autism Network and many more worthy causes.
“I look forward to this event each year to have the chance to play golf with one of my fellow PGA Professionals,” said Jack Barber, Indiana Golf Foundation Board member. “ I take tremendous pride in playing and raising money for so many worthwhile organizations. We became Professionals to be able to play golf and this day allows that to happen, while also benefitting others.”
Donations are mainly obtained through members, patrons, students, family, and
friends. All marketing materials for the event, including a personal webpage, are provided to make fundraising efforts as seamless as possible. Last year, this event raised more than $110,000 and since its inception, more than $455,000 has been donated.
“I view the day as a fun day playing golf, while also playing a part in hooking young people into the game,” said Brian Garrett, Director of Golf at Anderson Country Club. “First Tee-Indiana and the Foundation are really working to create to young golfers. And what PGA Professional wouldn’t want to be involved in that?”
In 2012, the Indiana Golf Foundation took the First Tee under its umbrella, and the program had roughly 6,000 participants statewide. Today, there are more than 100,000 youth golfers in Indiana.
Unlike other sports programs, First Tee teaches participants so much more than just golf skills. The program exists to enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee creates learning experiences that build inner-strength, self-confidence, and resilience that children carry to everything they do in life.
“The Indiana Golf Foundation and First Tee are the future of golf in Indiana, and I take great pride in assisting them in any way possible,” added Barber. “Over the years, the Indiana Golf office and the Indiana Golf Foundation have provided many programs, tournament and educational opportunities to our Professionals and amateurs around the state. We as Professionals must support these organizations to the best of our ability. With First Tee-Indiana under our umbrella, this program is the future for junior golf and has the opportunity to teach core valves and life lessons to our youth.”
This year, there will also be a celebration of the life for PGA member, Brittany Kelly, who passed away in August 2021 from ovarian cancer.
Kelly was a PGA Professional and Assistant Pro at Woodland Country Club in Carmel best known for blazing a trail for women’s golf. She was the first female to be honored as the Indiana PGA Golf Professional of the Year and was named Indiana PGA Women’s Player of the Year for three consecutive years. She was also the first female golfer to be inducted into Ball State University’s Athletic Hall of Fame, as well as the first female to be named the Assistant of the Year.
This year, the event will be held at Hillview country Club and all proceeds raised will be split between the First Tee-Indiana, the Brittany Kelly Memorial Fund, and a charity of each PGA member’s choice.
“The thing that is most amazing about this event is how a small group of people can make such a big difference,” said Julia Potter-Bobb, Indiana Golf Director of Member Services. “They go out and play golf for six to eight hours on a Monday morning and they raise money that has a positive effect on our Indiana golf community for years to come.”
Indiana Golf looks forward to another great turn-out from our PGA members, and we are thankful for the continued support of our generous donors, who continue to leave their mark on Indiana Golf and our youth golfers statewide.
