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“Golf has taught me how to be graceful and deal with things in a positive manner,” 11-year-old Curtis Stewart says. 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 Vitamin water. 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.” We thank the Pebble Beach Golf Academy for this blessed opportunity to participate in the Spyglass Clinic.
To see more pictures check out this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ncga/show/with/3717726839/
