Fuel the Drive, a non-profit organization that expands access to golf and tennis for children from low-income families, has announced plans to substantially increase the number of young people it assists in the coming year. Founder and president Terry Aikin stated the organization has set ambitious New Year's resolutions, aiming to impact at least five times as many young people as it did in 2025. The organization was founded to remove financial barriers to youth sports participation by sponsoring children's introduction to golf and tennis through coverage of essential program costs.
Eligible participants receive funding for registration in local PGA Junior League and U.S. Tennis Association programs, along with training guidance and equipment. Aikin emphasized that involvement in these sports fuels personal growth and helps children develop confidence, self-discipline, and leadership skills that translate to more successful futures. According to Aikin, participation in golf and tennis programs consistently contributes to the development of transferable life skills including self-discipline, teamwork, and problem-solving.
He shared the example of Mavarro, who has played in the PGA Junior League program for three years with Fuel the Drive's assistance. Mavarro's father reported that playing golf has helped his son develop patience and confidence, earning him an award for perseverance, while his love for golf has translated into increased analytical skills that help tackle challenges in school and life. Building on its current impact, Fuel the Drive has introduced golf to more than 100 children annually for the past three years and has provided access to tennis programs for more than 500 children.
The organization has now set a specific goal to expand its golf programming to serve more than 500 young athletes in 2026. Aikin identified cost as one of the most significant barriers to participation in organized youth sports, noting that removing this obstacle enables children to engage in structured environments that promote self-confidence, perseverance, and personal growth. To achieve its 2026 objectives, Fuel the Drive is expanding its outreach efforts to enlist more donors.
Aikin reported that while the organization's donor base has been generous, they need to significantly grow that base to meet their expansion goals. The organization has launched a new website and is expanding digital outreach to engage partners, community stakeholders, and bring more new donors into the fold. With increased support, Aikin believes the organization can fuel the drive in many more children so they can achieve greater success both on and off the course and court.
