HOLLAND, Mich., May 28, 2025 — First Tee – West Michigan is thrilled to announce the hiring of Sarah Owens as the new Programming Coordinator for the Greater Holland area. Owens becomes the second full-time staff member dedicated to the community, a reflection of the region’s rapid program growth and strong community support for character building opportunities through golf.
A recent graduate of Hope College, Owens earned her degree in Communications and brings a strong blend of leadership and athletic experience to her new role. During her time at Hope, she was a four-time letter winner on the Women’s Golf Team and served as team captain for two seasons. Her exemplary character on and off the course was recognized with the prestigious MIAA Sportsmanship Award. Owens is originally from Charlotte, MI.
Owens is no stranger to First Tee – West Michigan. She served as a Program and Donor Communications Intern in 2024, working directly with students, families, and coaches in Holland. Her experience that summer further ignited her passion for youth development and helped lay the foundation for her new full-time role.
“Excited is an understatement, adding Sarah to our Holland team allows us to connect deeper with our community- families, students, and other youth development organizations,” said Jeff Keyser, Holland Area Director. “Sarah’s connection to the community, leadership background, and passion for mentoring youth make her a perfect fit as we continue to show that golf is for everyone!”
The addition of Owens comes at a pivotal time for First Tee – West Michigan in Holland. Over the past four years, the chapter has seen significant growth in the number of young people served. In 2024, 366 local youth participated in First Tee programming in Holland, with 43 percent receiving full scholarships—an increase of 10 percent from 2023. These scholarships ensure that every child can participate, regardless of financial circumstances.
With the addition of Sarah Owens, First Tee – West Michigan is poised to build on this momentum in Holland. Her full-time presence will allow the chapter to deepen relationships with families, schools, and community partners, while expanding program offerings and volunteer support. As demand for youth development through golf continues to grow in the region, Owens will play a key role in ensuring more kids have access to transformational opportunities through First Tee.
About First Tee – West Michigan:
First Tee – West Michigan is a youth development organization that empowers young people through the game of golf. The program integrates life skills and core values with golf instruction, helping youth build confidence, resilience, and integrity on and off the course. First Tee – West Michigan serves 2,400 students annually in Allegan, Kalamazoo, Kent, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, and Ottawa Counties. For more information about First Tee and its mission to enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges, visit firstteewestmichigan.org.
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