Smash GC names Jon Gee as first-ever Mentor of the Year award winner
Smash GC Captain, Brooks Koepka, and Teammates Talor Gooch, Graeme McDowell, and Jason Kokrak Give Back to Community Through Smash for Success Mentorship Initiative
Smash GC concluded their inaugural year of Smash for Success, the team’s community-based impact program dedicated to empowering young people through golf, by honoring Jon Gee as the 2024 Mentor of the Year Award recipient during the LIV Golf League Dallas Team Championship.
Gee, founder of the SL Gee Foundation, was selected by Smash GC players, Smash GC staff, and LIV Golf League executives for his dedication to empowering junior golfers and providing them with educational and professional opportunities. This recognition marks a full circle moment, as Gee was first introduced to Smash GC in 2023 during the Smash for Success pilot program, where he brought several of his junior golfers to the LIV Golf D.C. tournament for a VIP experience.
"What a great honor to meet the Smash GC and be presented with this award," Gee said. "The Smash team gives back to the community through scholarship community engagement and growing the game with junior golfers all over the country."
The SL Gee Foundation, established by Jon Gee in memory of his 10-year-old son, Sebastian, aims to create a pathway for young golfers to achieve academic excellence through golf scholarships, training camps, and tournaments. Through his foundation, Gee works to remove cost barriers around golf, providing opportunities to children with the skill and desire to succeed in golf through higher education. Recently, he was the lead sponsor at the Jim Thorpe Invitational, supporting 15 junior and collegiate golfers by covering entry fees and arranging housing, making the event significantly more accessible. Gee’s commitment goes beyond just providing opportunities—he ensures that every student he works with has a truly enriching experience on and off the course.
As the 2024 Mentor of the Year Award recipient, Gee was flown in from D.C. for the Dallas Team Championship with all accommodations provided as part of an ultimate fan experience courtesy of Brooks Koepka’s Smash GC. During the event, Gee mingled with the Smash GC team and staff, observed team practice, and stood inside the ropes for the tournament’s opening tee shot. In addition to this once-in-a-lifetime experience, Gee was publicly recognized in the prestigious LIV Golf League hospitality venue, Club 54, and presented with a $1,000 donation to the SL Gee Foundation.
"I wouldn't be here today without people like Jon Gee, who help empower and foster the love of golf in juniors," Koepka said. "As a father of a son, I was incredibly moved by Jon's story and how he has transformed his pain into purpose by impacting the lives of thousands of children and providing opportunities that will not only enhance the world of golf, but society as a whole. As a team, Jon aligns with everything we hope to do with Smash for Success and our mission to empower young people through golf to enable them to achieve success both on-and-off course."