Inspirational Drossart gave back to golf
Tim Drossart was so instrumental in building his community’s youth golf program that he was known as the “Father of the First Tee” in Green Bay, which sounds just right for a man who started with six golf students and eventually introduced the game to thousands more.
Drossart died on Jan. 17 at the too young age of 53 after a four-year battle with cancer, but his death could not end his contributions to the game. His life and contributions to youth golf will be celebrated Feb. 17 when The First Tee program of Green Bay holds its annual Soup ‘n Suds fundraiser at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Ashwaubenon, an event expected to draw as many as 800 supporters and friends of Drossart and the game.
“He wouldn’t want it to be about him,” said Julie Pyne, who succeeded Drossart as executive director of the program. (“But) we’re trying to continue what he started.”
Pyne called Drossart an inspiration, and it’s easy to see why.
“He wanted to have an impact with kids,” Pyne said, and teaching them about golf and the game’s larger lessons seemed one way to do that. He began with six kids he recruited from the Boys and Girls Club in Green Bay, then heard about a First Tee Chapter that was in nearby Seymour, though struggling to survive at the time. Drossart was impressed by the program’s emphasis on teaching life skills and values as well as golf and eventually moved the program to Green Bay. There he recruited other coaches, brought together a board of supporters to help with raising money and directed the program though a period of strong growth.
Even when he was sick Drossart showed “just amazing resilience and a positive attitude,” Pyne said. “He lived every day to the fullest.”
Even his final days. One board member told the Green Bay Press Gazette that Drossart was promoting ticket sales for Soup ‘n Suds the day before he died.
At the event this week, attendees will enjoy soups, cheeses and hors d’oeuvres along with craft beers and wines from many area restaurants. And as there should be, at some point glasses will be raised in a toast to Drossart’s efforts.
“As The First Tee says, it’s more than a game, and it definitely was to him,” Pyne said.
More information about The First Tee of Green Bay can be found here.
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Dennis McCann is a former reporter and columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and a longtime contributor to Wisconsin Golfer magazine. When he isn't playing golf he writes books; his latest is “Badger Boneyards: The Eternal Rest of the Story.” Contact him at 
