STAFF
MATT VAN CLEAVE
Director
In 2022 Matt became the fifth Director for FCA Golf since it began in 1977.
After growing up in Missouri, Matt played golf at Kansas State University, where he received his Bachelor’s degree in Social Science.
He played professional golf for five years and then spent nine years as a PGA Professional in Arizona before being called to the FCA Golf ministry.
Matt and his wife Sarah met at Kansas State, where Sarah was a women’s golf team member. She is currently a High School Counselor in Mesa, Arizona. They have two children, Max and Maddie. They love to go hiking, travel, coach/cheer for their kids’ sports teams, and barbecue with family and friends.
JIM ESARY
Donor Development
Jim served as the FCA Golf Director from 2005 to 2022.
He attended Olivet Nazarene University and obtained a B.S. in Christian Education. While at school, he was an avid athlete and received letters in Football and Baseball.
Since college, Jim has served as the Head Baseball Coach at Eastern Nazarene University, FCA State Director in Wisconsin, and Associate Pastor of Community Fellowship Church in Wheaton, Illinois. He joined FCA Golf staff in 2000.
Jim is married to Jolene. Together, they raised four daughters— Tayler, Morgan, Kaitlin, and Sydney. Jim’s hobbies include golf and reading.
DAWN SANTO
Event Planner
Dawn proudly served in the United States Air Force for 9 years and was discharged as a disabled vet. She joined FCA Golf in January 2007 with a desire to see young people’s lives impacted and changed.
She serves as the glue behind the scenes for most every FCA Golf event, including GAMEDAY, Toby Mac FCA Golf Camps, and each tournament. She pretty much does it all.
Dawn has been married for 37 years to Sam. They have 2 children, both married and both blessing Dawn and Sam with six grandchildren.
Besides spending time with her grandchildren, Dawn loves football and the beach.
CHRISTIE EMERY
Admin
Christie Emery’s first interaction with FCA Golf was in high school, where she attended the St. Simons FCA Golf Camp. She played golf at Young Harris College, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and Sport Studies, and was a huddle leader at various FCA camps during her college years. After college, she coached at a golf academy in Georgia and then joined FCA staff in 2019 as a field representative.
Christie and her husband Ryan met at Young Harris College, where Ryan transferred to the men’s golf team his senior year from another university. The Emerys now live in Hoschton, GA, where Christie continues her FCA ministry efforts and Ryan plays golf professionally. They are expecting a baby girl in early November 2022.
JOHN MORRIS
Area Rep • OH
John Morris has been a field representative for the past 3 years for the Oklahoma FCA. John has a passion to reach students for Christ through FCA golf camps.
He and his wife Tracie, two daughters, son-in-law, and three grandchildren all reside in Oklahoma.
If you’d like to join John’s support team, just click on the button below. Every FCA Golf staff member relies on individuals to partner with them in their respective ministry. John has a team of donors who stand behind him, pray for him, and give to help support his ministry.
GRANT SMALLWOOD
Area Rep • TN
Grant attended Crichton College in Memphis, Tennessee as a two-sport athlete. After college, he coached multiple sports for over 15 years in Tennessee & Mississippi. In 2017 Grant stepped away from coaching as a State Champion Coach in Golf to Join FCA.
Grant and his wife Jessica live in Tupelo, Mississippi with 2 amazing kids (Jackson & Elizabeth). They love to travel, spend time with friends, and serve at their church.
If you’d like to support Grant and his ministry, just click the button below.
BOBBY KOHLER
Area Rep • TX
Bobby attended Texas Tech University, where he received a BA in Finance. It was there while playing baseball that he experienced his first FCA huddle.
While traveling overseas with a Christian baseball team for a few summers during college, he saw the potential to use his sport as a ministry.
Bobby worked in the mortgage business before coming on staff full-time with FCA in 1997. In his 12 years, he has served both coaches and athletes on the middle school, high school, and college levels.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Luke McCann
Board Chairman
Jacksonville, FL
Scott Chapman
Glen Allen, VA
Blaire Greenwood
Ashland, VA
Debbie Krieger
Jupiter, FL
Dr. Jud Martin
Scottsbluff, NE
Dean McQuiddy
Jacksonville, FL
Troy Mohr
Glenwood, IA
Cathy Moody
Prescott, AZ
Andrew Price
St. Augustine, FL
Peter "Yogi" Schiller
Rochester, NY
Ben Stegmann
St. Louis, MO
Ken Warmath
Owens Cross Roads, AL
LEGACY MEMBERS
Doug Greenwood
Glen Allen, VA
David Price
Jacksonville, FL
OUR MISSION
To lead every coach and athlete into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and His Church.
OUR VISION
To see the world transformed by Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes.
OUR VALUES
Integrity
We will demonstrate Christ-like wholeness, privately, and publicly.
Serving
We will model Jesus’ example of serving.
Teamwork
We will express our unity in Christ in all our relationships.
Excellence
We will honor and glorify God in all we do.
A TRIBUTE TO FCA GOLF FOUNDER, CAPTAIN BILL LEWIS
After retiring from the navy, Captain Bill Lewis set out to help young people find a personal relationship with Jesus Christ through the game of golf. Known to many thousands of people as Captain Bill, his vision was to make a difference. By making Jesus the captain of his own soul, Bill allowed the love of God to spill over into the lives of thousands of young people. For more than 20 years, Bill worked with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes to conduct golf camps around the country.
Many other golf professionals and tour pros, such as Betsy King, Patty Berg, and Larry Nelson, also helped. Jack and Barb Nicklaus were also a part by sponsoring a tournament that raised funds for golf camps. When someone like Bill has a vision for helping people, others can come along and be a part the dream.
Captain Bill conveyed the message of what it means to live in God’s grip. He would tell people, “We all need the Jesus grip.” When we are in His grip, we have God’s infinite love and power.
His message was: God is there to love us, to care for us, to touch us, and to nurture us. Most of all, kids at the camps learned that God makes it possible for each of them to love Him back. Bill Lewis lived unselfishly and exposed thousands to the real Master.
Captain William “Bill” Lewis went to be with the Lord on September 7, 2005.
Following the passing of Captain Bill Lewis, the FCA Golf Ministry created a camp scholarship fund to carry on his legacy. Through the Shade Tree Scholarship Fund generous gifts every year change the lives of young people by providing them the means to attend an FCA Junior Golf Camp.