About

Proudly born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, I now consider myself a Michigander.  I arrived in Grand Rapids in 2006 at Calvin University, and have stuck ever since. I’ve come to love everything about the state (other than their teams – Go Bucks, Packers, Brewers, and Badgers)! 

After four years on the Calvin golf team and graduating with a BS in Business, I set out to start First Tee in West Michigan in early 2011.  Turns out you get a fancy title when you start something – Executive Director!  First Tee blended my two loves – give hope to young people (primarily from disadvantaged backgrounds) and the game of golf.  I couldn’t shake that if I could make this a career, I had to try, and I’ve stuck ever since! My favorite Nine Core Value is Perseverance. 

Outside of my time at First Tee, you’ll find me spending time with my wife Cindy and daughter Hazel on Grand Rapids’ west side, at my church (Crossroads Bible), or playing or watching a myriad of sports, including but not limited to golf, basketball and cycling.

I have happily been our Program Director since 2016. Prior to that, I was a part-time lead coach while I attended Grand Valley State University. I have a degree in Sports Management with a double minor in Business & Nonprofit Admin. 

What brought me to First Tee is sort of a unique story. I started with First Tee at the age of 7 at my local chapter in Battle Creek, MI. My brother and I participated every season up through graduating high school. I also worked at the Battle Creek chapter as a coach starting in 8th grade which got me hooked on the mission. With almost 20 years engaged with First Tee, I love everything about it and the experiences the program can bring to students who otherwise wouldn’t have a chance. In my free time, I love to hang out with friends, cheer on The Ohio State Buckeyes, and work out at CKO Kickboxing Grand Rapids.

Please let me introduce myself. I am Randy White, Holland Area Director for First Tee – West Michigan. I have been with First Tee for 3 years as the Holland area Director.  I have not found a better youth development program that integrates seamless activity-based learning that impacts local youth.

My background is as follows: I am a graduate of Ferris State University (Professional Golf Management / Marketing) I have completed 3 levels of First Tee training that allows me to work with all ages and levels of participants.  As director I have been able to develop and foster partnerships with other organizations that work with youth. Our collaboration has helped us offer more options to many families and their children in the Holland area. 

I am a PGA Golf Professional of 35 years and have run golf course operations for 20 years.  I have enjoyed teaching the game of golf to thousands of people through private coaching lessons, group instruction and Junior and high school programs. I’ve been a high school golf coach for 26 years as an assistant and head coach. During that time, I was able to coach 4 state championship teams. I have been fortunate to be honored with District and Regional Coach of the year by the High School Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association. Lastly, I am the tournament director for the MHSAA D1 State Golf Championship. 

On top of all that I have been married for 39 years. I have one daughter that is married and lives in Seattle. I enjoy biking, hiking and of course golfing. My Christian faith is my cornerstone.

I am from Whitehall, MI. I am a graduate of Whitehall High School, Class of 1995. After high school, I attended the University of Tennessee-Martin on a golf scholarship. In 2001, I graduated with a Bachelor’s Arts degree in Sociology. I have a daughter named Taylor, she is 14.

Presently, I am the Muskegon Area Director of the First Tee Program. The First Tee provides so many wonderful opportunities for our youth, while having exposure to the game of golf and learning life skills. My favorite core value of the First Tee is perseverance. In my spare time away from the First Tee; I enjoy playing golf competitively and deer hunting.

My name is Rob and I’m from Holland, Michigan. I have been married for 15 years and have 4 children. I started playing golf as a young adult and have been chasing my swing ever since. I work as an Engineer at Nuvar, Inc. where we make soft seating products and other office and medical furniture. I chose to join First Tee as a coach because I love investing in the younger generation. Why? Because older generations have invested in me. I also love the 9 core values taught at the First Tee, my favorite being responsibility. Golf is a great sport that requires you to take personal responsibility. If I create a divot, I replace it. If I make a ball mark on the green, I repair it. If I accidentally improve my lie, I need to call a penalty stroke. Golf requires high levels of responsibility and is good for a person to learn while they are young. In my free time, I enjoy being outside, woodworking, golf, playing guitar and reading to my children.

Hi. I’m Jason, and I’m an avid golfer! Hailing from the Grand Rapids area, I am the proud dad of a teenage son. I began my love affair with the game of golf as a toddler when my dad cut down and re-gripped a putter for me to use with he and my mom on the greens. I’ve been in love ever since! Golf resembles life is so many ways. That’s why I love the game, and that’s why I joined First Tee. I was drawn to the organization, in part, because of the nine core values it teaches. These values are critical in life and on the course. Choosing my favorite value is like asking me to choose my favorite golf course…I have many! But if I have to choose one, I’d go with perseverance. My favorite golfer of all time, Arnold Palmer, once said, “Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you.” That’s perseverance. You never give up and you never give in. Always try your best. On the course. Off the course. We need this value in our personal and professional lives. And I love that golf teaches this value, among others.  

When I’m not working with First Tee, in my personal time I’m often doing activities with my son, working on my own golf game, playing with the dogs, and enjoying time outdoors. In my professional life, I work in public and government affairs and serve as an adjunct professor at Grand Valley State University.

My name is Terri Clock.  I live in Muskegon and have done so most of my life.  I attended Muskegon Public schools and then went on to college, first at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City and then I transferred to Central Michigan University.  I graduated from CMU in 1978 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree and a teaching certificate in secondary education, majoring in Physical Education and minoring in Biology. 

 I retired from teaching after 30 years with Muskegon Public Schools.  I taught a number of different subjects with most of my years being spent in the middle school science classroom.  I was hired in as a Physical Education teacher and this was also my last teaching assignment, elementary Physical Education.  I am still working at MPS as the assistant to the Athletic Director. I handle the game management for Big Red football, basketball and soccer.  I can also be found in the classroom as a substitute teacher.

I got involved in The First Tee through my boys, Andrew and Eric Ruthkoski.  Andrew had a girlfriend who participated in The First Tee of Miami and while they were together, he and Eric would play in their tournament over the Christmas holiday.  When First Tee – West Michigan was moving to Muskegon in 2013, Andrew was approached to become a coach. Since he was touring professionally, he felt it was a better fit for me as I was retiring that year and could continue to teach and be involved with kids.

I believe my favorite core value would be responsibility.  When teaching a class, I try to stress this to the students that they need to be responsible all of the time whether it is at home with chores, at school with their classwork assignments or on the golf course with taking care of their own equipment.  I tell them, no matter where they are, their actions are a reflection of themselves and I expect positive behavior and actions. 

In my free time outside of The First Tee, during the summer, you can find me at the Lake Michigan beach or at my cottage.  I love the water and sunshine!  I also enjoy just hanging with my boys and my friends.  I love being involved with sports at the high school and watching college football and basketball, especially MSU.  And of course, I enjoy a round of golf, just for fun, too.

I was born in England and earned a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from The City University, London while working as a student apprentice for a UK-based food equipment manufacturer. Most of my career was in sales and this took me to over 40 countries and all but 3 or 4 US states before I retired in 2017. After spells in Hong Kong and North Carolina my wife Vivien and I came to Michigan in 1986 with our two small boys – and stayed. Our daughter arrived a few years later. We both enjoy the seasons, including winter!

My dad taught me to play golf as a teenager, I also played rugby for 25 years and coached soccer for 15, but I only found First Tee and started coaching golf 2 years ago, immediately feeling I was making a contribution. My favorite core values are respect and personal responsibility; they say a lot about a person.

Vivien and I are fortunate to have our three kids and seven grandkids within easy reach, and I’m also a keen homebrewer, currently trying to brew the eighty or so ‘classic styles’ – which may take a while. Cheers!

My name is Chris Drumm. I joined First Tee – West Michigan two seasons ago because I enjoy working with kids, playing and teaching golf!  My favorite value that First Tee teaches is Integrity. I think this is the best value because it really does incorporate many of the other values. Integrity reveals honesty and allows you to show respect, sportsmanship, and courtesy. 

I am from Ada, Michigan and graduated from Forest Hills Central High School and Aquinas College. When I am not at First Tee, I work for the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, and I also coach basketball. In addition to that I am a golf instructor and athletic trainer.  For fun, I enjoy swimming and water sports as well as biking and running.