Earlier this year, First Tee – West Michigan welcomed Matt Forkin and Ian Hughes to its Board of Directors. Both bring extensive experience in golf, education, and youth development, and will help advance First Tee’s mission of empowering young people to build character and confidence through life’s challenges.
Matt Forkin
Forkin serves as Chief Executive Officer at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo, where he has held a variety of leadership roles since 2010. He brings extensive experience in youth development, nonprofit management, and fundraising, and is actively engaged in the Kalamazoo community through volunteerism and board service. Outside of work, Forkin enjoys golf, pickleball, reading, and community engagement.
Ian Hughes
Hughes is the Director of Instruction at GOLFTEC Grand Rapids and a PGA Member. With over 50,000 golf lessons given and 24 years of coaching experience, he is currently ranked the #2 Golf Instructor in Michigan by Golf Digest. A Ferris State University alumnus in Professional Golf Management, Hughes has a lifelong passion for growing the game of golf. He has participated in the First Tee – West Michigan Golf Marathon eight times and serves on the Golf Outing Task Force Committee, helping make the event a continued success.
“Matt and Ian’s support and involvement over the past decade has helped First Tee – West Michigan improve impact in two ways – life skills curriculum and community development from Matt’s time at the Boys & Girls Club, and golf technique and training from Ian,” said Tyler Smies, Chief Executive Officer of First Tee – West Michigan. “To have such experts in the room as we make decisions and connect with the community is a tremendous blessing and resource. Most importantly, Ian and Matt so obviously reflect the values and life skills we seek to instill in our kids and teens – they are both men of high character and integrity.”
Forkin and Hughes join Randy Freeburg, Antoinetta Freeman, Nate Golomb, Russ Hines, John Kruis, Randy Lindquist, Jason Manshum, Travis Mikulenas, Maureen Fitzgerald Penn, Ross Ryzenga, Henry Stallings III, and Scott VanderLinde on the First Tee – West Michigan Board of Directors.