Each story below shares about how and why mentors change the lives of our students. Your gift at year-end helps us secure the $115,000 necessary to hire junior coaches and properly screen mentors in 2025!
First, we shared Lyla’s story at First Tee (see below). One of her mentors is Taylour Boer, First Tee’s Program Director, who gets our spotlight this week:
Taylour Boer | Program Director at First Tee – West Michigan
Written by Tyler Smies, December 2024
Taylour Boer is in her 9th year as a First Tee Coach, and 4th year as First Tee’s Program Director. Like Lyla, she was shaped by two larger-than-life figures in her upbringing.
“My Grandpa Frank was always there in the stands, rooting me on,” says Boer. “He always had positive words of encouragement after a tough loss, and showed me how to live life with a sense of gratitude.”
It’s no surprise that every day in the First Tee office and on the course with First Tee participants, Taylour embodies “Positive Self-Identity”, one of First Tee’s Five Key Commitments. Frank’s impact is reflected in Taylour’s positive, calm, and approachable demeanor.
As a student, Taylour was a multi-sport athlete, playing soccer, track, softball, basketball, and golf in middle school before focusing on golf and basketball in high school. One coach stood out as the most impactful for her: Basketball State Championship-winning coach Sal Konkle, who retired in 2020 after 30+ years of coaching the Marshall High School Girls team. Through Konkle, Taylour gained another First Tee Key Commitment – Pursuing Goals.
“Coach Konkle was a fierce competitor and a great motivator. One of the most important things she taught me was how to set goals and how to work hard to achieve those goals,” said Taylour. “But most importantly, she helped me develop a passion for mentoring kids, and I’ll be forever thankful for that.”
Now, Taylour is helping students like Lyla learn these same critical skills as they navigate high school. Your support at year-end helps ensure every First Tee – West Michigan student has a mentor, like Coach Taylour, to lean on in 2025!
Lyla Chrisman | Grandville High School
Written by Lyla Chrisman, November 2024
Lyla, age 8 (left). Lyla, age 16 (right), leading class this summer
“Growing up as a member of First Tee from age 8 to 16 helped shape me into the person I am today.
Coach Taylour (First Tee’s Program Director) stands out as the first mentor I remember. As a child, I admired her, and never imagined one day I would have the opportunity to work alongside her like I did this past summer.
This summer, during my summer coaching internship, I attended my first “Tuesday staff meeting.”
I felt truly valued, especially among people I’ve always admired.
They even asked for my perspective and input! Although that may seem trivial, that meeting meant a lot to me. I look forward to the day when the kids I’m now coaching get that opportunity in a few years.
Now that I’m a coach, I lean on Sierra Berlin, First Tee Coach and alum, as a peer and confidante. She has become one of my closest friends. After a tough time at high school golf regionals, I fell short of my goal of making it to state and was in tears. Sierra was the first person I called. Coach and First Tee alum Maya Fitzgerald was a coach at my first class as a junior coach. I didn’t know anyone before that day but just 15 minutes later, Maya and I were laughing as if we’d known each other for years, and she remains one of my best friends.
This summer, I was selected to participate in the First Tee Game Changers Academy in Minnesota, where I connected with teenagers nationwide. I met students and coaches from Texas, California, and Seattle, and formed lasting friendships with participants like my roommate, Allison, who has profoundly impacted my life for the better.
Lyla, at center back of the table, at the Game Changers Academy in Minneapolis this summer.
First Tee has done so much for me, helping me become the best version of myself. I hope that other students will get the same opportunities I have.“
Lyla Chrisman, 16 years old, Grandville High School | 8-year participant of First Tee, and now a Lead Coach/Mentor