When Mike Alberse first played in Swing for Hope about 15 years ago, he had no idea he’d soon have an integral role in Hope Supply Co.’s annual golf tournament fundraiser. And he never anticipated the impact it would have on his life. But, he shares, “It’s probably one of the most significant things that I’ve been involved with in my life, besides family, friends and God.”
Mike’s employer, Briggs Industrial Solutions, had already been partnering with Hope Supply for several years before Mike and his family moved to Texas so he could work from the company’s Dallas office, where he now is Senior Manager of Assets. The company has long served as the title sponsor for Swing for Hope, and after learning that Mike was a golfer, they made him the new event chair. He took on the new role expecting to get a day off and play some golf, unaware of how significant his involvement would be.
Mike had never run a golf tournament before and admits he experienced a bit of a learning curve, but his logistic mindset drove him to improve the tournament so that it could benefit Hope Supply Co. more. “I’m famously—or infamously—known for my spreadsheets,” he shares. “I always try to self-challenge … and then just found ways I could get more sponsors, more players, expand it more and just try to get more money for Hope Supply.”
Preparations for the tournament begin between Thanksgiving and Christmas the previous year and continue as Mike regularly gathers the event committee to discuss things like recruiting players and obtaining sponsorships. “All the committee members take action items,” he says, describing the group as “very gelled, very good, complementary to each other with the skill sets that we have.”
In the months leading up to Swing for Hope, Mike is involved not only in organizing the event but in inviting others in the community to participate. “We got a lot of partners with Sammons [Briggs’ parent company] and with Briggs to come play and get involved through sponsorships.”
Once partners get involved, they return in subsequent years because they see that the event is truly focused on meeting a real need in the community. “I think a lot of participants come back because they realize that a vast, vast majority of what they’re providing in sponsorship is going toward the charity, not additional gifts for players or anything like that,” Mike says. “It’s a relatively low-key tournament. It’s about the golf and concentrating on the needs of the kids.” In addition, he explains, since the event is held at a private club, it’s an opportunity for participants to experience a course they wouldn’t otherwise be able to play.
Through numerous challenges, from COVID to moving the tournament to a different course, he has persevered, seeking each year to make Swing for Hope a fun and increasingly beneficial event. “Mike Alberse is the backbone of our tournament. Without Mike’s hard work, and the continuing support of Briggs Industrial Solutions as our title sponsor, we simply would not have been able to hold such a successful event for all these years,” says radio personality Craig “Junior” Miller, who serves as the name and face for the tournament. “I’ve always said that while my name may be in the tournament title, it’s the work of people like Mike that really makes the tournament what it is. Mike is our MVP!”
Mike gives credit to the culture at Briggs Industrial Solutions, which encourages getting involved in the community at each of its local branches, for enabling him to serve as he has. “That kind of environment … really makes it easy to support an organization,” Mike says, sharing how Briggs has supported giving both time and resources to Hope Supply. The company has provided things like racking when Hope Supply Co. moved into its current facility, as well as forklifts and safety materials. “I think it’s a great partnership because of the nature of the warehousing that Hope Supply has a need for.”
As Mike has worked to help Swing for Hope grow, he’s been excited to see Hope Supply Co. expand to meet the increasing need in the Dallas area. “The impact that they provide is tremendous. [Diaper need] is one of those needs that is never really thought about, but it’s so critical to provide. It’s one of those things I guess maybe most people take for granted. And then obviously when you don’t have those materials … you realize how much of an impact it has on that family because they can’t meet the needs.”
Mike’s work has played a key role in this growth. Over his years as event chair, Mike has seen Swing for Hope generate approximately a million dollars in net proceeds.
“Mike has been a dream come true during my leadership here at Hope Supply Co.,” says Barbara Johnson, CEO of Hope Supply Co. “It is a true gift to work with a board member who takes charge of a fundraising event with such skill and passion. From start to finish, his committee runs like a well-oiled machine to deliver an outstanding golf event year after year. We appreciate him bringing the support of Briggs Industrial Solutions as our title sponsor. Cheers to you, Mike!”
The 33rd Annual Swing for Hope will be held on June 9, 2025, returning to the Las Colinas Country Club. Click here to register as well as learn about sponsorship opportunities.