Dear GreatLIFE Member, Team Member & Support Team,
What started out back in December of 2013 has grown and prospered in fulfilling our mission “To enrich the lives of families and individuals through golf, fitness and healthy lifestyles”. We have grown to 5 golf courses, 17 fitness centers, the Suburban Family Bowling Center and over 35,000 GreatLIFE Members thanks to each of you!
March 31st was a big day for GreatLIFE Team Members and Support Team with it becoming an ESOP, so 100% of GreatLIFE is now owned by those running it on a day-to-day basis. Importantly, our leadership and mission stays intact with Tom Jr. as CEO, Nick Ovenden as President, Brad Hansen as COO and me still as Chairman.
Over the past 12 years, we have seen positive growth in every aspect of GreatLIFE, especially with children and families. Through our GreatLIFE Cares Foundation, we are supporting over 35 local charities, schools and civic organizations with special thanks to our GreatLIFE Corporate Partners and our Challenge for Change golf event at our Willow Run Golf Club. We are in all the Title 1 elementary schools with programs like our PLAYEverything program that teaches kids the connectivity of sports, athletic skills and sportsmanship. Our TeamMates Mentoring is in several elementary schools, middle schools and a couple high schools with caring adults building relationships.
From day one, we approached GreatLIFE as a catalyst for helping families and individuals get healthier and build stronger relationships. Our focus with our Team Members and Support Team is that they are our “Family”. We have a responsibility to help them grow, become better caring Leaders and make a difference throughout our communities.
Having lived in Sioux Falls for over 70 years, my family and I have been blessed beyond anything we could have dreamed of. At GreatLIFE and with my family, we believe it is an honor to help others, serve and make our community and even the world a better place. Thanks to all those blessings, we have changed the world for children and families in the Baja with our Los Cabos Children’s Foundation.
Throughout my career in our community, my definition of success is even stronger as we watch our children and grandchildren grow, lead and make a difference. My definition of success “Success: When the ones closest to you, love and respect you the most”. Wishing each of you a very “successful” life!
Gratefully,
Thomas P. Walsh Sr