“Golf has taught me how to be graceful and deal with things in a positive manner,” 11-year-old Curtis Stewart says.
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And if anyone ever had an excuse for negative thoughts, Curtis might be the one. After a 4 ½-year period living in a foster home, the youngest of five siblings has reunited with his family. But to observe Curtis hitting balls is to see a happy-go-lucky kid who enjoyed being outside and being with his friends. “We talked to him about how to be a leader, how his family can stay together because of his influence,” says Reverend Anthony Dunham, pastor at Seaside’s Friendship Baptist Church for 16 years.
Dunham has a partner in that leadership training – the NCGA Foundation. Kids from the church attended a clinic at Pebble Beach’s Peter Hay Golf Course presented by the Foundation in late July. As this was the third session for the group representing more than six hours of instruction from a top-100 teacher, Pebble Beach Academy Director Laird Small focused on taking swing training to the golf course and playing a round. Skills and etiquette necessary on the course, such as where to stand when not hitting the ball, were taught. Participants also received a wedge and balls from Nike Golf as well as a snack provided by Vitaminwater.
At the conclusion of the event, students competed in foursomes with an instructor in a scramble format. The team atmosphere further fostered the clinic’s nurturing environment, and served as a perfect finale. The clinic is part of the Foundation’s larger effort in using golf to develop life skills and values. With programs such as Youth on Course, the Foundation’s award-winning player development program that offers children access to golf for $5 of less, the thriving organization is spreading the gospel of golf and its intrinsic benefits to kids like Curtis Stewart.
“I like hitting the ball as a far as possible,” he said. “When I first started, I got down on myself if I couldn’t hit it. But if you make a mistake, you can learn from it. Making a mistake actually helps you.” Stewart exhibited an exuberant passion reminiscent of the early form of his favorite golfer, Tiger Woods. Instructors from the Pebble Beach Academy worked to make his form more rhythmic, demonstrating how solid contact is more beneficial than club speed.
Watching the interaction of the students with teachers, it’s clear that the Foundation’s mission of supporting personal development and developing life skills and values are assimilated here. The clinics and the Foundation’s outreach have clearly had an impact, according to Reverend Dunham: “This has been such a blessing to these kids. You can’t imagine.”
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PEBBLE BEACH (July 13, 2009) – A group of 12 youth from Friendship Baptist Church in Seaside gathered at Spyglass Hill practice facility for their second golf lesson with teachers from the Pebble Beach Golf Academy.
“I am Tiger Woods,” could be heard from one of the kids on the putting green, “I just made a hole-in-one,” yelled a girl with delight as she rolled in a putt.
For many of the youth participating in the clinic it was their first time on a putting green. The students learned about creating patterns of success, not just in golf but also in life and were encouraged to ask questions and be open to learning.
“I like putting better than the driving range,” said 14-year-old Chantelle, “it’s really good, I find it relaxing.” Since their last lesson, the students had a practice session on the driving range to put to use the skills they learned the last time they hit the turf.
The youth will have the opportunity to attend about half a dozen more clinics throughout the summer and fall. The lessons are made possible by the generous donations from NCGA Foundation donors.
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PEBBLE BEACH (June 9, 2009) - For some of the kids, who ranged in age from 9-12, it was their first exposure to the game.
Pebble Beach Director of Instruction Laird Small led the clinic, which included a tour of Spyglass Hill’s pro shop and practice facility and instruction on swing basics.
Life skills and the importance of goals and school were also discussed at length during the clinic, all part of the Foundation’s mission in enriching the lives of kids through golf.
Kids received a case of balls and a wedge at the end of the three-hour session.
"It is pretty cool to be here. The best part was hitting past the flag. It was awesome to get a new golf club and balls, I can play with my friends now," said Jhailyn Byrant, age 9.
"The teacher told me to turn my spine and not my whole body when swinging. I learned how to swing the right way and it made me want to play," said CJ Garrett, age 9. "It was fun to get a club because I can now practice at home. The people here are very nice because they helped me hit the golf ball the right way."
Vitaminwater contributed product for the clinic, which was presented by the NCGA Foundation.
Sponsorship is available for future clinics by contacting the NCGA Foundation, which will stage more than 10 similar events throughout 2009.
The award-winning NCGA Foundation has made a national name for itself through its Youth on Course Program. The charitable arm of the NCGA subsidizes rounds of golf and buckets of range balls for deserving youth in the region allowing junior golfers to play for only $2 a round. The Foundation subsidized 30,000 rounds and 30,000 buckets of balls in 2008 and that number may triple this year alone.
