
Kalamazoo, Mich., June 25, 2025 — On Friday, June 21, Bradley Lardie, a First Tee – West Michigan alumnus and current intern in Grand Rapids, made history by playing 361 holes of golf in a single day at Eastern Hills Golf Course, setting a new record for the most holes ever played in a First Tee Golf Marathon. The previous record stood at 360 holes.
Lardie teed off at 6:00 a.m. and played continuously until 10:00 p.m., completing the equivalent of more than 20 full rounds of golf in just 16 hours. His extraordinary effort helped raise vital funds to support First Tee – West Michigan’s character building programs for youth in the community.
“First Tee has given me so much: my first job, a hobby I can play forever, and the perseverance to do things like this,” said Lardie. “I want to be able to give someone else the same opportunity that I had.”
Bradley joined First Tee as a participant in his youth and now, as a college student and intern with the organization, continues to live out the values he first learned on the course. His record-breaking day was not only a personal achievement but a meaningful contribution to a cause he believes in.
The Golf Marathon is First Tee – West Michigan’s most impactful fundraising event. The Eastern Hills Golf Marathon is just one of 23 golf marathons taking place across West Michigan this summer. In total, more than 150 golf marathoners will participate in 2025, playing as many holes as possible in one day while securing pledges from friends, family, and community members. All funds raised support scholarships for local students, ensuring that every child can participate in First Tee, regardless of financial circumstance.
First Tee – West Michigan serves more than 2,400 youth annually across Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, and Kalamazoo, using the game of golf to teach core values and life skills such as integrity, perseverance, respect, and confidence.
“Bradley’s accomplishment is First Tee personified,” said Tyler Smies, CEO of First Tee – West Michigan. “He started with First Tee at age 7, grew and learned through our curriculum and his relationships with mentors and peers, and was the first ever to complete the program’s Ace level. Now he is a driven young man with great integrity and character. We are thrilled at his accomplishment, and humbled by his passion for First Tee and the impact it made for him growing up. ”