Community Outreach
The Michael Ray Lee Foundation was established to carry on Michael’s unfulfilled dreams. The Foundation’s Mission is to “Give Back” by utilizing the game of golf to positively impact lives through charitable giving with an emphasis on scholarships and junior golf. Michael’s legacy lives on!
Mike’s Foundation would like to share with you some of the great accomplishments we have had thus far. Of course, none of this would have happened without a close group of dedicated and passionate folks to help honor Michael. It is truly amazing the amount of people that Mike touched in his short 28 years of life.
We are excited to kick off our 2023 fundraising season with a goal of $100,000. In less than 2 years, we have raised $360,000. Save the date for June 5th at the Greeley Country Club where we are looking forward to another successful tournament. With that being said, here is what we are looking to gift this year:
$10,000 to the Colorado School of Mines golf team and team Captain. The School inducted Michael into the Hall of Fame on October 8, 2022. They also named the golf room, “The Michael Lee Indoor Golf Center” and the captain’s locker is named for Mike.
The Foundation plans to give $10,000 in Scholarships this spring to deserving college bound athletes from northern Colorado, through the Michael Ray Lee Integrity Scholarship. This scholarship will be based on high academics, leadership and integrity.
$5,000 to the 2022 Colorado Junior America’s Cup Team. Funds will be used to help fund various needs of the team with equipment and uniforms. Michael played on the 2009 team and was proud to represent Colorado.
$10,500 to 3 local K-8 schools for SNAG kits to expose more youth to the sport and grow the game of golf.
Michael’s foundation will also provide up to $10,000 to local high school’s underfunded golf programs so they can become more competitive. This will be in the form of uniforms, equipment and instruction.
Donations in 2022
$8,000 to the Colorado School of Mines Golf Team, specifically going to the captain of the squad. 2022’s recipient, once again, was Jake Welch. Jake is a Senior for the Oredigger’s, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. His hometown is Highlands Ranch and he graduated from Valor Christian.
Jake Welch
2021-22: Jake played in all nine events notching a team-best 76.85 average. His top finish was fourth place in the season debut at The Writz at Mile High. Jake took 30th place at the RMAC Championships. He shot a low round of 70 three times, twice at The Writz, and again in the final round of the Sam Proal Invite.
High School: Jake was a four-year letter winner in golf and wrestling at Valor Christian. He was a three-time first-team all-league golfer, placing sixth at the Colorado state championships as a junior. In 2018, he was the Colorado 5A Central Region individual champion. Jake helped Valor Christian to a fifth-place state finish as a senior in fall 2018. He was also a standout wrestler who was a Colorado state runner-up in 2019, third-place finisher in 2018, and Jeffco MVP. He was a Valor Cum Laude Society member and a member of National Honor Society.
$5,000 to the Colorado Golf Association - specifically going to the 2022 Jr. America’s Cup Team. Michael represented Colorado on the 2009 team.
$1,275 to Roosevelt High School Girls’ golf team for new golf bags, rain gear and golf gloves.
$920 to The Greeley Unified Girls’ golf team for push carts.
$1,625 to Greeley Central Boys’ golf team for a Portable Launch Monitor, golf clubs, and instruction from Nick Umholtz – a former Central standout and teammate of Michael.
$2,500 to Greeley West Boys’ golf team for an indoor hitting net and mat, swing speed trainer and simulator screen.
$975 to Northridge Boys’ golf team for team hats, towels, shirts, putting tutors, and a smash bag.
$1,720 to Eaton Boys’ golf team for new golf bags.
Donations in 2021
$8,000 to the Colorado School of Mines Golf Team, specifically going to the captain of the squad. 2021’s recipient was Jake Welch. Jake is a Junior for the Oredigger’s, majoring in Mechanical Engineering. His hometown is Highlands Ranch and he graduated from Valor Christian.
Jake Welch
2020-21: Jake played in all seven events as a sophomore, averaging 74.45. His top finish was T7 at the Mile High Shootout. He had two other top-20 finishes, tying for 16th place at both the Samuel Proal Invite and the Saint Martin’s Invitational. Jake tied for 36th place at the RMAC Championships.
High School: Jake was a four-year letter winner in golf and wrestling at Valor Christian. He was a three-time first-team all-league golfer, placing sixth at the Colorado state championships as a junior. In 2018, he was the Colorado 5A Central Region individual champion. Jake helped Valor Christian to a fifth-place state finish as a senior in fall 2018. He was also a standout wrestler who was a Colorado state runner-up in 2019, third-place finisher in 2018, and Jeffco MVP. He was a Valor Cum Laude Society member and a member of National Honor Society.
$2,000 to Greeley Central High School Golf Team led by Coach Brockman and Coach Rohnke. After talking with the coaches, we have found they are severely underfunded. The Michael Ray Lee Foundation was able to help Central with new uniforms for the team and some instruction from Nick Umholtz, a former Central standout and state champion. Michael and Nick were teammates for 3 years.
$2,000 to Northridge High School Golf Team, led by Coach Carranza. Again, another Greeley High School golf team that is underfunded. Northridge has not had new uniforms in ten years and the squad was at a disadvantage as they did not have range finders. The Michael Ray Lee Foundation was able to step in and provide the team with those items. The Grizzlies’ Trey Andrews finished the season tied for 6th place at this year’s State Golf Championship.
