Mike Foy

Please indicate past awards won/recognitions:
Other (Indicate specific awards below in 3-a)

Other awards won:
3x US Kids Top 50 Coach Honorable Mention

Total number of individual lessons given per year:
Male: 600
Female: 200
Junior: 700

Total number of individual clinics given per year:
1000

Please indicate any Growth of the Game initiatives your facility/academy has launched over the past year (please give specifics on such programs):
Growing the game has always been the main focus of what we do at Mike's Golf Center. My goal has never been to just teach lessons, it's been to create an environment where someone can get introduced to golf, improve their game, meet other golfers, and hopefully enjoy the sport for years to come.

We offer a complete pathway for junior golfers through our Little Linksters and Varsity programs, PGA Junior League, summer camps, and the Fox Valley Junior Golf Tour, which I founded. The tour has grown to over 130 junior golfers and includes 16 tournaments each year, finishing with a season-ending Ryder Cup that our players look forward to all season.

I believe golf should be accessible to everyone. Each year we partner with the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association to provide a six-week golf program for children and adults with special needs. We host free Parents Night Out events that give parents an evening out while introducing kids to golf in a fun, relaxed environment. Throughout the year we also offer free "Swing Doctor" tune-up sessions where members can stop in for a quick swing evaluation and leave with a plan to improve.

In addition to our instructional programs, we host birthday parties, corporate outings, beginner clinics, and other events that often introduce people to golf for the first time. Having a year-round indoor facility also allows us to keep golfers playing and improving during the long Illinois winters.
Looking back, I'm most proud that we've built more than just a lesson program. A child might first come to us through a birthday party, Parents Night Out, or a beginner class, move into our junior academy, play PGA Junior League and the Fox Valley Junior Golf Tour, and eventually become a lifelong golfer. That's always been my goal, to make golf more welcoming, more accessible, and more fun for as many people as possible.

Please share any programming you have made to keep your customers & students engaged:
One of my biggest goals has been creating an environment where golfers want to keep coming back, not just take a few lessons. I try to give our students and members something to look forward to year-round.

For our juniors, we have a complete progression from Little Linksters (5/12yo) to Varsity program (11-18yo), PGA Junior League, summer camps, and the Fox Valley Junior Golf Tour. Having clear goals and the opportunity to compete with friends keeps our players motivated while making golf fun. We also use combine testing, playing tests, and skill challenges throughout the year so students can measure their improvement instead of just hoping they're getting better.

For our adult members, we offer 24/7 member access. Many of our members develop their own practice routines and friendships, which has helped create a true golf community rather than just a place to take lessons. We host free "Swing Doctor" tune-up sessions where members can stop in for a quick swing evaluation and leave with a plan for what to work on. I also organize simulator leagues, tournaments, member events, and other activities throughout the year to help golfers stay connected as a “tribe”.

I believe that building relationships is just as important as teaching golf. Whether it's a birthday party, corporate event, Parents Night Out, or simply members spending time practicing together, I’ve worked hard to create a community where people enjoy coming to the facility and staying involved.