Current and Former SFPGA Junior Tour Members Making a Difference
In south Florida, the game of golf is not just about skill and competition—it's also about giving back. This community spirit is embodied by countless individuals and organizations, including the South Florida PGA and the SFPGA Foundation. In early 2023, the SFPGA proudly partnered with Ballz4Change, a unique initiative founded by SFPGA Junior Tour alumni Max Sherman and Michael Hulle, to help drive meaningful change.
Ballz4Change takes a simple idea and turns it into impact. Their mission? To retrieve, recycle, and repurpose golf balls while supporting local charities. They work directly with golf facilities, sending divers into the lakes to recover lost golf balls. Once collected, the balls are inspected and resold, with the proceeds benefiting charitable causes. It’s a cycle of sustainability that addresses waste and channels funds into the community.
Recognizing the need for a greater environmental focus in golf, Ballz4Change partnered with Green Golf Impact (GGI), a new nonprofit founded by three current SFPGA Callaway Medalist Junior Tour members: Alexander, Jonathan, and Stephanie Weinberg. Competitive golfers with a deep love for the sport, the Weinberg siblings were struck by the piles of used golf balls cluttering their garage. They realized that these small pieces of plastic were part of a much bigger environmental problem.
Their research revealed a startling gap in golf ball recycling solutions. Despite the growing demand for golf balls since the pandemic, there was little focus on sustainability within the industry. Determined to make a difference, the Weinbergs founded GGI with a mission to raise awareness about the environmental impact of golf ball waste and promote sustainable practices.
"We are committed to protecting our planet and fostering a greener future for the golfing community," the Weinbergs shared. Green Golf Impact measures success by tracking both the number of golf balls collected and recycled, as well as the growing awareness and participation from golfers and facilities. One of their long-term goals is to raise enough money to establish a foundation scholarship, which will be awarded to a well-rounded SFPGA junior golfer pursuing higher education after high school.
Looking ahead, the Weinbergs envision a network of golf facilities and players across South Florida, united in their sustainability commitment. They aim to strengthen their local presence while developing a model that can be replicated in other regions. "Working closely with Ballz4Change, we believe we can rally the south Florida golf community around the cause of sustainability, creating a lasting impact on both the environment and the game of golf."
Now in its second year, Ballz4Change has faced challenges in gaining credibility in the community. However, their perseverance has paid off. In 2024, they raised over $10,000, which was donated to support charitable causes throughout the community. Looking ahead to 2025, Sherman and Hulle plan to focus on educational initiatives to highlight the major impacts Ballz4Change is making at facilities across the region.
This partnership between Ballz4Change and Green Golf Impact is poised to get the ball rolling on a new era of sustainability in south Florida's golf community. By combining Sherman and Hulle’s expertise in golf ball recycling with the Weinbergs' passion for sustainability, they are creating a powerful force for good.
"Partnering with Green Golf Impact was a no-brainer for us," shares Max Sherman. “Both Michael and I care deeply about golf, and we want to ensure its future is sustainable. GGI’s vision for a more environmentally-conscious golfing community aligns perfectly with what we're trying to achieve at Ballz4Change.”
Junior golfers, like those involved with the SFPGA, are the game's future, and they can lead a new wave of sustainability efforts in the golfing world. As GGI remarked, "together, we can ensure that the sport we love contributes to environmental conservation rather than detracting from it."
To increase junior golfer involvement, SFPGA will be placing collection buckets at Medalist Tour events, starting with the Labor Day Classic at the end of August. These efforts aim to encourage more young golfers to take an active role in the sustainability movement, contributing directly to the cause by recycling golf balls.
As these initiatives gain momentum, Ballz4Change and Green Golf Impact are set to leave a lasting legacy on the sport, showing that the game of golf can drive environmental change.
Ballz4Change Website | Green Golf Impact Website
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