Kyle Winn was born in Sacramento and found his way to Santa Cruz for college. Shortly after graduating, he began pursuing his PGA membership at DeLaveaga Golf Course and continued his career in the golf industry at Half Moon Bay Golf Links.
Kyle discovered his passion for youth development and community impact through First Tee, beginning as a part-time coach with First Tee – San Francisco. In 2013, he played an integral role in helping the chapter assume management of Golden Gate Park Golf Course, which they continue to operate today.
After relocating to Palm Springs in 2017, Kyle joined First Tee – Coachella Valley, where he helped grow annual participation from 400 to over 1,000 youth. He also onboarded more than 35 elementary schools to deliver First Tee curriculum during their physical education classes. His most recent fundraising effort raised over $400,000 to support the creation of a practice center and golf course in the eastern Coachella Valley—expanding access to the game for underserved youth and communities.
Kyle joined First Tee – North Coast in 2025 and is thrilled to continue his journey within the First Tee network, serving young people across the North Bay. One of his favorite memories so far was organizing an event for 100 kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Napa Valley to experience a golf and technology clinic at Silverado Resort during the PROCORE Championship. For 98 of those kids, it was their first time on a golf course—moments like these remind Kyle that as a golf professional, he’s found the right organization to call home.
November is Rotary Foundation Month - A Presentation by Marty Behr & Larry Lira
Our speaker program for Thursday, November 13, 2025, was presented by Marty Behr and Larry Lira, East/West Club, District 5130 Sgt. At Arms.
Marty presented on our Santa Rosa Sunrise Foundation, including our local projects and our DAF Endowment funding. Larry presented on Rotary International's Foundation, including the Annual Fund, Polio Plus, RI Endowment, World Fund and Disaster Response.
With so many meaningful ways to contribute, it is good to know what each avenue does and how they work.
The DAF Endowment Fund was established in 2020-21 with contributions from 24 Founders ($2,500+) and Benefactors ($1,000+) adding up to $47,000 to start it off. The goal is to continued growth it until it provides enough interest, so the club need not rely so much on major fund raising to support our philanthropic endeavors. Marty gave special thanks to major contributors this Rotary year including, Barbara & Bill O'Rear, Melinda Moir in honor of Jim Moir and Terry Stark in honor of Jon Stark. Barbara O'Rear (Paul's mother) and Melinda Moir were in attendance at the meeting.
Thank you, Marty and Larry for providing a good overview of ways we can support Rotary during Rotary Foundation Month and year-round!
On a regular basis, our resident photo pro Warren Smith, submits pictures of what is going on at the weekly meetings. You can always find the most recent pictures at the websites photo journal called "Meeting Sighting" Please note that all the meeting photos for the entire Rotary year are at this location with the most recent on the last page.
Thanks for all the great pictures Warren!Link to Meeting Sightings. The most recent are on the last page!
Show of force and flags brought over 350 persons last Friday to offer tribute to local Veterans.
Kiwanians and Rotarians team up to tribute Veterans
Looking satisfied and concealing fatigue, the lunch prepares from Oakmont Village Market proudly present their 350+ very well received lunches
At 11:30 AM, seats were taken!
Vietnam Army Medic Ezbon Jen greets Stacy, who volunteered in distributing stars in honor of Veterans.
Out front, Stacy, Drucker-Andress and Paul Stathatos, who arranged the military vehicle display catch up.
Elsie Allen band Director Efrain Nava conducted the lively Elsie Allen Lobo ensemble in a variety tribute.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Centenarian plus 2 Veteran Ted Moneymaker. His presentation led to Congressman Mike Thompson, Vietnam Veterans welcome and brief update on Veteran Affairs progress.
Colonel (Ret.) Misty Zelk, M.D. and Iraq combat veteran addressed the audience. Her account of duty, resilience and recovery gave credence to her commitment to veterans returning to civilian life. She shared a video of the Best Defense Foundation, an advocacy organization for Veteran family support. Col. Zelk's Companion dog is seen to the left of the podium.
Vocalists couple Gage Purdy and Crystal McDougall-Purdy led the audience in singling "This Land is Your Land".
Trumpeters Saul Chait and Todd Higgins sounded echoing "Taps" at closing. Bagpiper David Winter added "Meeting of the Waters" and "Amazing Grace".
If you would like to serve on the 2026 Steering Committee reach out to Ralph Harryman or Rich Randolph
I went shopping today in Walmart and was behind a grandfather and his badly-behaved grandson. He had his hands full with the child screaming for sweets, cookies, all sorts of things.
The granddad is saying in a calm, controlled voice: "Easy, William, we won't be long... easy, boy."
Another outburst followed, and I heard the granddad say again: "It's okay, William. Just a couple more minutes and we'll be out of here. Hang in there, boy."
At the checkout, the little terror is throwing items out of the cart. Granddad still stays cool: "William, William, relax buddy, don't get upset. We'll be home in five minutes, stay cool, William."
I was seriously impressed, so I followed them out to the parking lot. As he was loading the groceries and the boy into the car, I said, "It's none of my business, but you were amazing in there. I don't know how you did it. That whole time, you kept your composure. No matter how loud and disruptive little William was. He is very lucky to have you as his granddad."
"Thanks," said the Granddad. "But I am William. The spoiled brat's name is Kevin."
The Rotary Club of Elgin supports numerous initiatives for youth, including a Rotaract club, an Interact club, and several RotaKids clubs, which are a program of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland to build citizenship and leadership skills in children under 12. At the Greenwards school, RotaKids clubs are a go-to activity, reports teacher Kirstin Mustard, one of four club leaders. In February, the RotaKids held a rummage sale, collecting about $100 for The Rotary Foundation. In June, they sponsored a walk that raised about $3,200 for Harry’s Hat, a charity for the condition hydrocephalus, a buildup of water in the brain. That organization assisted the family of one of the youths. Stephanie Urchick, 2024-25 RI president, visited that month and was treated to a performance based on a history project. “It was truly inspiring to see the passion, creativity, and compassion shown by the pupils,” she says. “Their community spirit shines through.”
India
The Rotary Club of Coimbatore Cotton City designed a project to raise awareness about the illicit practice of caging and trading wild parakeets. Volunteers meticulously placed nearly a ton of millet grains in a 1,200-square-foot artwork depicting the clipping of a parakeet’s wings. “Each grain represents hope,” says Niketu Shah, a club leader who directed the project, part of a larger effort by an animal rescue organization and supported by the state forest department. The artwork was completed in May at a shopping center. Last year, the club helped provide the forest department with an X-ray machine for birds. In captivity, many birds suffer from disease and stress that reduces their lifespan.
This story originally appeared in the November 2025 issue of Rotary magazine.
Rotary projects make a difference in communities around the world.
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The Rotary Club of Elgin supports numerous initiatives for youth, including a 
The Rotary Club of Coimbatore Cotton City designed a project to raise awareness about the illicit practice of caging and trading wild parakeets. Volunteers meticulously placed nearly a ton of millet grains in a 1,200-square-foot artwork depicting the clipping of a parakeet’s wings. “Each grain represents hope,” says Niketu Shah, a club leader who directed the project, part of a larger effort by an animal rescue organization and supported by the state forest department. The artwork was completed in May at a shopping center. Last year, the club helped provide the forest department with an X-ray machine for birds. In captivity, many birds suffer from disease and stress that reduces their lifespan.