Tributes · Hall of Fame
Golf Fore Kids and Emily's Toys Fore Kids were built by family, coaches and friends who showed up for these kids. Some of them are no longer with us. This page is for them.
“Nanny”
July 5, 1929 – April 22, 2017
AJ and Emily's great-grandmother. Born in Bessemer, Alabama, she came to Detroit in 1950 and worked at General Linen and General Motors. Everyone who knew her knew how much she loved children. She passed that spring, months before the first outing, and the drive has carried a piece of her ever since.
Coach
January 7, 1942 – September 18, 2020
One of AJ's golf coaches. A Michigan State grad, he taught physical education in Farmington and was a golf professional at Oasis Golf Center. He helped turn a kid who loved golf into a golfer, and Golf Fore Kids grew out of that game.
Coach
Passed in 2021
AJ's golf instructor and head pro at the Willie Pewitt Golf Academy in Romulus. His coaching is part of every round AJ played for the kids.
Grandpa
August 18, 1949 – December 14, 2024
AJ and Emily's grandfather on their mom's side. A Mumford High grad from New Orleans, he ran the TV Shop in Oak Park for more than 30 years and mentored a lot of young people along the way. An award-winning bowler, he loved golf most, especially coaching it. His family asked that gifts in his memory go to the golf scholarship in his name at Detroit's Midnight Golf program.
“Granny B”
July 30, 1950 – April 14, 2026
AJ and Emily's grandmother on their mom's side. After 20 years in banking, she became a Disney-trained travel specialist at AAA of Michigan, then drove for Enterprise, where her favorite runs were taking AJ to golf and Emily to dance. Oak Park named July 30, 2021 “Brenda Whitehead Day” for her work with backpack drives, laptop giveaways and scholarships for kids. She was a member of New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church for 68 years.
Every toy that goes out this Christmas carries a little of them with it.
Give in their honor