Tee Walt Gutowski, Sr. YMCA Golf Outing
When people ask why Swift Printing supports the Walt Gutowski, Sr. YMCA Golf Outing each year, the answer is simple: family, values, and the Y.
Our story starts with Walter D. “Walt” Gutowski, Sr., the founder of Swift Printing and the heartbeat of our company’s culture. Walt believed in showing up—for customers, for neighbors, and for the next generation. The YMCA was one of his favorite places to do just that. It wasn’t just a gym; it was a gathering place where kids learned to swim, families found support, and friendships formed across every imaginable line.
This coming Monday, September 22, we’ll be at the outing with a grateful nod to the man who taught us that doing good is part of doing business.
Walt’s way: Work hard, be kind, lift others
If you ever met Walt Sr., you know he built Swift Printing around a few simple rules:
Do excellent work.
Treat people like neighbors.
Invest where you live.
The Y checked all three boxes. He loved how practical it was—real programs that meet real needs—and how it brought people together without pretense. Whether it was swim lessons, child care support for working parents, or wellness programs that help folks bounce back, Walt saw the Y as a place where generosity becomes a plan.
Read this story about Walt’s Love for the Y
We keep that spirit alive today. When Swift supports the outing, we’re not just sponsoring the event—we’re sponsoring access: safety in the water, stability for families, and opportunity for kids who need a champion.
Why the Y matters to a print shop
People sometimes wonder why a print company is so passionate about a community nonprofit. For us, it’s obvious:
Print connects communities. Posters, programs, and banners don’t just decorate—they mobilize. The Y has relied on those tools for generations to invite, welcome, and teach.
We’re West Michigan through and through. For 75 years, Swift has printed for schools, churches, small businesses, and neighborhood events. The Y is woven into all of that.
It mirrors our values. The Y puts people first and focuses on results you can see: a child learning a new skill, a parent finding dependable care, a neighbor returning to strength after a hard season.
Supporting the outing is our way of saying thank you to an organization that has always stood shoulder-to-shoulder with families like ours.
Yes, we’ll celebrate drives that find the fairway and putts that somehow fall. But the day is really about three outcomes:
Safety. More swim lessons so kids are confident around water and families have peace of mind.
Stability. Child care and youth programs that help working parents keep schedules steady and kids engaged.
Strength. Wellness initiatives that help people rebuild—physically, mentally, and socially.
Those are the “scores” that matter long after the last group cards out.
From our family to yours
Swift Printing is a multi-generation company because Walt Sr. built more than a business—he built a practice of care. He modeled generosity in tiny, everyday ways and in big, community-shaping choices. Supporting the Y is one of the ways we try to live up to his example.
You’ll see Walt Jr., Jes, and many friends out there Monday—laughing with old friends, meeting new ones, and rooting for the mission as loudly as we root for a good shot. If you spot us, say hello. We’d love to hear your Y story.
How you can join us
Play or sponsor. If there’s still room, grab a spot or underwrite a feature of the day.
Give. Can’t attend? A donation in Walt’s honor helps the Y say “yes” to the next family who needs it.
Volunteer. The Y’s programs run on a mix of professional staff and generous volunteers—there’s always a meaningful way to help.
Spread the word. Share the outing with your network. Every new supporter expands the circle of impact.
A note to our customers and neighbors
Thank you for trusting Swift with your projects. Your work fuels our ability to give back. When we say “#PrintLocal,” we mean it—not just for turn times and color accuracy, but because local dollars power local good. Monday’s outing is one more reminder that a strong community is a team effort.
To everyone teeing it up—play well, have fun, and let’s remember why we’re out there.
2021 Walt Gutowski Sr. Golf Outing Recap
2022 Walt Gutowski Sr. Golf Outing Recap
