The Foundation

The Friars Golf Foundation (FGF), Inc. is an independent 501(c)3 charitable organization, operated in cooperation with and with the support of The Friars Golf Club and its membership.   

The FGF's mission is to expand golf's reach and impact, with a primary focus on increasing access to golf for young people. The Foundation pursues this mission by curating opportunities for charitable work and fundraising by members of the Friars community and Friars Young Professionals (Young Pros or YP), a select group of aspiring professional golfers striving to reach the highest levels of competitive golf.

Young Professional Program

The YP program aims to support early-career golf professionals who aspire to compete at the highest levels on the PGA and LPGA tours.

Young Professionals who enter the program agree to perform charitable work in line with the Foundation’s mission in exchange for compensation commensurate with their level of commitment, up to $5,000 per year.  During 2024, the Foundation provided $42,000 in direct compensation to our Young Pros for their efforts, not including the purse at the Young Pros Championships and other in-kind benefits provided by Friars.

In addition, upon completion of their three-year term, the Young Pros graduate to alumni status with the ability to gain full status as Friars and preferential access to attend the Young Pro Championship at a reduced cost for a limited period post “graduation”. One benefit of transitioning to alumni status is the ability to tap the Friars network for professional mentoring and networking as Young Pros make the transition to careers outside of professional golf when they decide it is time.  

There are currently 10 Young Pros in the program and 16 active Young Pro alumni. Several of our Young Pros, who are active in 2024, competed for status on the PGA, Korn Ferry, DP (Europe), LPGA, and regional PGA tours. 

Young Professional Program Application

Become a Friars Young Pro

In 2016, we initiated our "Young Professional Program" tailored for up-and-coming professional golfers, exclusively enrolling approximately 12 professionals.

Our primary objective is to provide financial support to a select group of aspiring professional golfers aiming for PGA or LPGA tour participation. This is achieved through our extensive network of more than 800 dedicated golf enthusiasts. In addition to other participants currently competing in various men's and women's developmental tours, notable success stories from our program include: 

  • Brandon Matthews, who has competed on the PGA Tour 

  • Jessica Porvasnik on the LPGA Tour

  • Riley Smyth, a two-time winner on the Epson Tour this year

  • Shad Tuten on the Korn Ferry Tour

  • Ryan Siegler, the champion of the 2022 Met Open at Bethpage Black

Learn more and apply to join our next class of Friars Young Professionals

  • We are currently recruiting dedicated, early-career golf professionals who are: 

    ✅ Actively competing for status on the PGA, LPGA, Korn Ferry, Epson, or other top tours 

    ✅ Graduates of top collegiate programs or successful amateur competitors 

    ✅ Committed to a full-time professional golf schedule 

    ✅ Motivated to give back through charitable works supporting youth golf. 

  • As a selected member of the Young Professionals Program, you'll receive a tailored mix of financial support, community access, and career-building resources, including: 

    • Annual Stipend for Charitable Work 

      • Up to $5,000/year in compensation in exchange for participating in Foundation-sponsored charitable events and activities. 

    • Logistical Support 

    • Access to the Friars network for: 

      • Tournament housing with host families 

      • Help with transportation and travel planning 

      • Introductions to sponsors and mentors 

    • Young Pro Championship & Pro-Am Invitation 

      • A fully-funded, all-expenses-paid trip to our signature January event in Florida, where you’ll: 

        • Compete for a meaningful purse with a guaranteed appearance stipend 

        • Play alongside Friars amateurs and alumni

        • Build lasting friendships and career-building relationships

        • Gain exposure to potential sponsors 

    • Professional Networking & Mentorship 

      • Connect with fellow YPs and alumni who’ve walked the same path—some now with tour status, others transitioning to successful post-golf careers. 

    • Alumni Benefits 

      • Upon completing your 3-year term, you become a Young Pro Alum with opportunities to: 

        • Join the Friars Golf Club as a full member 

        • Continue attending Friars golf travel events 

        • Access professional mentoring for career transitions 

  • As a YP, you'll be expected to: 

    • Perform charitable works aligned with our mission, such as participating in Youth on Course’s 100-Hole Hike fundraisers

    • Engage with the Friars community through events and communications

    • Actively pursue tour status and maintain a full professional playing schedule

    • Represent the Friars Golf Foundation with professionalism, gratitude, and a spirit of service 

    • Established in 1994, The Friars Golf Club is an international golf travel club with over 800 avid golfers from 45 states and 10 countries.

    • We offer a diverse range of golfing experiences, featuring over 40 trips annually, that range from one-day private club visits to extensive international journeys catering to golfers of varied backgrounds.

    • Our membership encompasses individuals of different ages and life experiences, ranging from 18 to 87, and with a handicap index ranging from 0 to 36. We have a mix of private club members and enthusiastic trip-goers.

    • We take pride in upholding our strict "NO ASSHOLE" policy to foster an environment of camaraderie, our shared passions for golf and travel, and meaningful connections.

Apply

Alumni Benefits

Upon completing your 3-year term, you become a Young Pro Alum with opportunities to: 

  • Join the Friars Golf Club as a full member 

  • Continue attending Friars golf travel events 

  • Access professional mentoring for career transitions

Apply

Alumni Success Stories

  • In 2017, Greg joined Celtic Golf, a US-based travel company that specializes in creating custom golf trips to Europe, as a sales agent. Today he is the president.

    Greg O'Mahony (2016), Celtic Golf

  • After playing professionally for 5 years on the Epson Tour, Anna decided to step away from the touring pro life to become the Assistant Women's Golf Coach at High Point.

    Anna Redding (2020), High Point University

  • After talking with many people close to him, including a number of Friars, Ryan accepted a job as an insurance advisor specializing in personal lines at MDP insurance.

    Ryan Siegler (2019), MDP Insurance

  • Andrew was fortunate to quickly find a job after playing as a sales rep with Konica Minolta. He covers the southern US states for a privately owned distributor of IT hardware and software.

    Andrew Ertel (2017), Cranel Incorporated

  • Joe found his way into the residential real estate business, and has been a realtor with The Davenport Group for over 5 years now.

    Joe Gunerman (2017), The Davenport Group 

  • Nick has transitioned into a career in technology sales working for an SMS communication company, Hi Marley.

    Nick Grubnich (2018), Hi Marley

  • Max hung up his professional sticks in the spring of 2020. He is now working in software sales for DocuSign.

    Max Kollin (2019), DocuSign

  • After professional golf, Thomas became account manager role with Coastal Building Supply in Wilmington, NC.

    Thomas Bass (2016), Coastal Building Supply

Young Pro Championship

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