Shumaker Advisors partners with Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation to build confidence through golf

Shumaker Advisors and The Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation are teaming up to help at-risk kids in Pinellas County build confidence, character and opportunity through golf.

The Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation has a middle school education program, which it hopes to expand to reach even more students across the Tampa Bay region through the new partnership with Shumaker.

The partnership is more important than ever. Pinellas County graduation rates have declined over the past two years, with a significant achievement gap for economically disadvantaged students, particularly those who are Black or Hispanic/Latino. Black students’ graduation rates are 8 percentage points lower than their White peers, according to Florida Department of Education data from 2022-23.

The Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy, through the foundation, is already making a difference.

Of its participants, 82% graduate high school, despite being classified as at-risk.

“Golf is more than a game. It’s a teacher of patience, focus, and integrity,” said Alan Suskey, Executive Vice President and Principal, State Practice for Shumaker Advisors Florida. “We’re proud to support the Chi Chi Rodriguez Foundation and its incredible mission to help young people discover who they are and what they can achieve.”

Foundation CEO James Poulter praised Shumaker for its long-standing reputation for helping organizations make a difference in people’s lives.

“This partnership will allow us to reach more students and give them the chance to build confidence and experience life-changing lessons on the golf course,” Poulter said.

Legendary golfer Chi Chi Rodriguez, along with Raymond James Financial founder Bob James and educator Bill Hayes, launched the Foundation in 1979 in Clearwater with the goal of engaging and inspiring young people through direction and encouragement.

Now, the Foundation serves more than 3,600 kids each year through in-school, after-school, Summer and outreach programs, in partnership with Pinellas County Schools, the city of Clearwater, the PGA Tour and the First Tee Foundation.

Its key programs include the Chi Chi Academy, which serves 108 kids in fifth through eighth grades referred to the program by school guidance counselors, and First Tee — Clearwater, which empowers kids ages 7-17 to better themselves through the game of golf, with programs open to the public and scholarships available.