HOWARD BANKHEAD
Blog: August 2012
The success of the Summer of 2012 Three Cities “Reading, Math and Life Skills Thru Golf” Youth Development program in Florence, Decatur and Huntsville is due to pure “Providence”! And all praises are due to God!
One of my favorite columnist and motivation speakers is Harvey MacKay. The Huntsville Times publishes Harvey’s articles and I find his writings to be very encouraging. Harvey wrote in one of his latest articles that “most of us have ideas of what we’d like to change, but not necessarily the vision to make it happen.” I thank God for giving me visions, ideas and the faith to carry them out! Notice I said faith, because I don’t always have the necessary resources and funds to move on the visions and ideas. And if I waited to secure the necessary resources and funds before I moved on my visions and ideas, I would have never created Huntsville’s Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development program back in 2002.
The creation of the youth life & golf development program led to me being awarded several USGA “For the Good of the Game” grants and two “Growth of the Game” grants for The PGA of America.
My experience of working the three cities and five programs this June and July has really opened my eyes to the great need for unique youth life development programs. When I first embarked on the three cities tour of youth life & golf skills development programs, I knew what we wanted to achieve. But it is not only about what I want to happen for the youth, but it is really about what the youth need! However, what is amazing is my desire to serve and the needs of the youth are one and the same!
The following data is the final report for the Summer of 2012 Decatur, Florence and Huntsville Youth Life & Golf Development Programs.
Decatur “Reading, Math and Life Skills Thru Golf”:
For the June session, the Decatur programs started with 31 youth ages ranged from 6-12. The program averaged 24 students; with an average age of 11years old; 90% were Title One students; 40% were above or at reading and math levels for their age; 99 percent had never experienced any type of golf.
As the summer progressed, the students found interest in other programs that the Decatur Youth Service offered, such as swimming, skating, movies and of course basketball. With the other activities offered, the Life & Golf Skills participants dropped to an average of 12 for the July session.
The Life and Golf Skills program lasted 13 days with over 26 program hours. When asked of their experiencing the program and their likes and dislikes, the majority of the participants said they learned how to hit the golf ball and how to do math in golf. Their dislikes were the program ending for the summer and not enough time to play golf.
Florence “Reading, Math and Life Skills Thru Golf”:
For the June session, the Florence programs started with 12 youth ages ranged from 7-15.
For both June and July sessions, we averaged 8 students; with an average age of 9 years old; 100% are Title One students; 60% are above or at reading and math levels for their age; none has ever experienced any type of golf.
The Life and Golf Skills program lasted 13 days with over 39 program hours. When asked of their experiences in the program and their likes and dislikes, the majority said they learned how to hit the golf ball met new friends and learned how to do math in golf. Their dislikes were, picking up the balls, the program ending for the summer and not enough time to play golf.
Unlike other cities, Florence did not have any type of structured summer program for the youth. The Life & Golf Skills program was new to the community and the City of Florence. We know that given the opportunity to implement the 3-5-10 Mentoring Initiative, we will be able to build the infrastructure for such a program. For more information on “building the infrastructure for a youth life & golf skills program” review my July blog.
Huntsville “Reading, Math and Life Skills Thru Golf”:
For the June and July sessions, the Huntsville’s numbers were constant.
1) At the Richard Showers Center the program started with 28 students and averaged 21 per day; with an average age of 10 years old; 95% are Title One students; 42% are above or at reading and math levels for their age; none has ever experienced any type of golf. The Life and Golf Skills program lasted 6 days with over 18 programming hours.
2) At the Cavalry Hill Center, the program started with 31 students and averaged 24 per day; with an average age of 9 years old; 95% are Title One students; 35% are above or at reading and math levels for their age; none has ever experienced any type of golf. The Life and Golf Skills program lasted 5 days with over 15 program hours.
3) I am also privileged to work with several youth at my church, New Beginning Christian Church. The Life and Golf Skills program is ongoing; thus far we have had 8 days with over 16 program hours.
Along with other opportunities that has come forth from my experience of working the three cities and five programs this summer, the need for real-mentoring in the lives of children that want more of the golf experience is the thing that affected me the most. From the programs, there are several youth in Florence, Decatur and Huntsville who are not blessed with the family structure needed to develop into being the best they can be.
Given the opportunity, Huntsville’s Tennessee Valley Youth Life & Golf Development program through the 3-5-10 Initiative will provide the real-mentoring and supplement the family structure that is needed so badly in the lives of these youth!
Give Youth A Gift For Life: Youth Golf Development!
Howard Bankhead
Executive Director
Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development
604 Jordan Lane
Huntsville, AL 35816 USA
256-604-8172
