Game Changers Dinner 2025: A Night to Remember

On December 12, our First Tee – Greater Akron family gathered at the DoubleTree Akron Fairlawn for an unforgettable evening celebrating the people who make our mission possible – our dedicated volunteers, passionate coaches, inspiring young people, and generous community partners.

The evening’s highlight was recognizing five exceptional individuals whose contributions have left an indelible mark on our organization and the young people we serve:

Darrin Kotecki – Friend of First Tee – Greater Akron Award
Ralph Paulk – Kaulig Companies Championship Award
Dirk Hartman – Coach of the Year
Ben Osco – Game Changers Award
Braden Gunter – Moment of the Year

Following the awards presentation, guests were treated to an inspiring fireside chat with Coach Keith Dambrot. His powerful message about leadership, resilience, and believing in young people resonated throughout the room and reminded us all why this work matters.

“Last night reminded us why we do this work,” reflected Jeff O’Brien, Executive Director. “Seeing our community come together to celebrate the volunteers, coaches, and young people who embody First Tee is truly inspiring. These Game Changers aren’t just changing lives – they’re shaping the future of our community, one young person at a time.”

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our event sponsors whose partnership makes evenings like this possible:

GPD Group – Head Table Sponsor
Kenmore Construction – Guest Speaker Sponsor
S Group – Cocktail Hour Sponsor

Your investment directly impacts the lives of the 21,000+ young people we serve each year.

As we celebrate 26 years of changing lives through golf, we’re more committed than ever to our mission. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special evening. Together, we’re building character, confidence, and life skills – one young person at a time.