The Ally Challenge 2024: Where Golf, Giving, and Community Converge

September 2, 2024

Recap of The Ally Challenge Presented by McLaren: A Week of Golf, Music, and Community Impact

The 2024 Ally Challenge presented by McLaren, held from August 20th through August 25th, was a spectacular event that brought together the excitement of championship golf, lively entertainment, and a strong sense of community involvement. Hosted at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, Michigan, this year’s tournament was one for the books, showcasing not only top-tier golf but also highlighting the event's commitment to making a positive impact in the local area.


Women of Influence Luncheon: Empowering Women in Business

The week kicked off on Thursday with the much-anticipated Women of Influence Luncheon. Held from 12 to 2 p.m., this event has become a staple of the tournament, celebrated for its focus on the vital role women play in our business communities. Attendees were treated to a delicious lunch and beverages catered by Andiamo, while engaging in a powerful conversation with an impressive panel of women making significant strides both personally and professionally.

This year’s speakers included:

  • Andrea Brimmer, Chief Marketing and Public Relations Officer, Ally Financial
  • Shannon Easter White, Owner and Founding Principal, FUNchitecture
  • Linda Hubbard, President & CEO, Carhartt
  • Marsha Oliver, Senior Vice President, Community & Public Engagement, PGA TOUR
  • Laurie Prochazka, Vice President of Marketing and Communications, McLaren
  • Shaunda Richardson-Snell, President, Mott Community College
  • Jamie-Lee Venable, Vice President of Operations, United Way of Genesee County

Their insights and experiences provided valuable takeaways for all in attendance.

In addition to celebrating these influential women, the luncheon also put a spotlight on charity. Attendees were encouraged to bring donations of quality hygiene products to benefit YWCA Greater Flint. Those who donated at least two items received a free raffle ticket, adding a fun and charitable twist to the afternoon.

Tournament Play and Spectacular Entertainment

The tournament’s first round of play kicked off on Friday, setting the stage for an exciting weekend of golf. The day concluded with performances by local talent Niko Bokos and the iconic band Smash Mouth, adding a festive atmosphere to the evening.

Saturday brought the second day of tournament play, which ended on a high note with a stunning performance by country music star Thomas Rhett. The night sky lit up with a 100-piece drone show, leaving the audience in awe and making the evening truly unforgettable.


Championship Sunday and Community Engagement

Sunday marked the final round of the tournament, where golf fans witnessed the 2024 champion, Stewart Cink, secure his victory. My son, Ian, had the unique and memorable opportunity to serve as the standard bearer, walking alongside Cink throughout the day—a proud moment for our family!

A highlight of Sunday’s events was the gathering of 50 small businesses that participated in the Small Business Campaign, a grassroots marketing initiative organized by Behind Your Design. These businesses were invited to the Skybox on hole 17, where they enjoyed hospitality and networking opportunities.

The campaign aimed to engage small businesses from Frankenmuth to Rochester along the I-75 corridor, spreading the word about the tournament. Many of these businesses got creative with their involvement, using social media to promote the event, hanging posters, and distributing fun tournament-themed swag. One business even hosted a mini Ally Challenge putt-putt tournament, showcasing the enthusiasm and community spirit that this event inspires.


A Legacy of Giving Back

The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren is not just about golf and entertainment; it’s a crucial event for the local community. With over $7 million raised and awarded to date, the funds generated by the tournament have made a significant impact on numerous local charities. This ongoing commitment to giving back is what makes the Ally Challenge so special and why it’s vital to continue spreading the word about this incredible event.

As we look back on this year’s tournament, the excitement and sense of community remain strong. We’re already looking forward to what next year’s Ally Challenge will bring, confident that it will continue to be a highlight of the year for golf fans and the local community alike.

Step Up Your Branding with Custom Socks!

October 19, 2026
Looking for a promotional product that's fun, functional and a little unexpected? Custom socks are a great way to put your brand on display! Whether you're looking for employee gifts, event giveaways, customer appreciation gifts or something unique for your next promotion, branded socks are a creative way to make a lasting impression. And with the holiday season approaching, they make a cozy, thoughtful gift that's perfect for spreading a little extra cheer! With endless possibilities for colors, patterns and custom designs, socks can be as bold or subtle as you'd like. Add your logo, incorporate your brand colors or create a completely unique design that people will love wearing. Comfortable, practical and memorable, custom socks are a promotional product that puts your brand in step with your audience!

A Polished Pen with a Purpose

October 8, 2026
Sometimes, the simplest promotional products make the biggest impact! We really enjoyed working with Notre Dame Prep to create these custom red pens for The Amazing Shake competition. Featuring both the school's logo and The Amazing Shake logo with a sleek silver imprint, they're a simple way to showcase both brands. The Amazing Shake is a competition that helps students build important life skills, including communication, professionalism, and confidence. Branded pens are a practical way to commemorate an event like this. They're something attendees can take home, use again and again, and remember the experience long after it's over. Looking for a useful way to promote your next event? Let Behind Your Design help you create something memorable! Click HERE to get started!

Back to Albion: 25 Years Later

By Chelsea Mills • October 4, 2026
Old friends, favorite traditions and an awesome Homecoming weekend
Holiday catalog cover with two people carrying gift baskets outside a cabin, titled “The Heart of the Season.”

Christmas Gifts for Clients and Employees: Why October Is the Time to Start

By Chelsea Mills • October 2, 2026
Plan Christmas gifts for clients, customers and employees with Behind Your Design. Explore branded merch ideas and a timeline for ordering before the rush.

Inside and Out: Custom Umbrellas for Crim Fitness Foundation

September 30, 2026
A great staff appreciation gift should be thoughtful, useful and connected to the organization. For the Crim Fitness Foundation , custom reverse umbrellas combined function with standout branding. These 46-inch umbrellas feature full-color sublimation on both sides of the canopy, giving the Crim brand plenty of room to make an impact. Branded Inside and Out The outside features the Crim Fitness Foundation logo and brand colors. Open the umbrella, and custom artwork of runners making their way through Flint is revealed inside. Using colors from the Crim brand, the artwork celebrates the organization’s connection to running, movement and the Flint community. Full sublimation on both sides of the canopy allows branded umbrellas to go beyond a logo. Colors, patterns, illustrations and original artwork can become part of the design.

Custom Jerseys Put a New Spin on Spirit Wear

September 29, 2026
Custom jerseys are a fun way to take spirit wear beyond the standard T-shirt or sweatshirt. With fully customizable designs, they can be created around your school, team, organization or event and made to feel completely unique. At Behind Your Design, we can customize jerseys with your colors, logos, graphics, names, numbers and more. Full-color dye sublimation gives you plenty of freedom to create bold designs across the entire jersey while keeping the finished piece comfortable and wearable. We’ve created several custom jersey styles for our clients, including football and baseball jerseys for Michigan State University Fall Fest. Each offered a different look while giving MSU a memorable piece of custom spirit wear that still felt true to their brand.
Show More