HOWARD BANKHEAD
Blog: February 2012
One of the most important things we have to do as a nation is developing young minds and character.
In order for numbers of black and underserved children to experience and benefit from the wonderful, powerful and spiritual sport of golf, we must address family structure, life values and historical norms. In my writings, I am not saying anything new.
In marketing the goods and services of a product, for a ROI (return on investment) you must advertise that product over and over again. Like the finest automobiles and beverages, the corporations market their products year in and year out, for decades.
I remember when I was a kid 40 years ago watching professional football on television and the Miller Lite commercial beer slogan: “Great Taste…Less Filling!” That slogan stuck with me, and when I do drink a beer or two, guess what I drink?
My point here is I will be a constant drum major for reclaiming our family structure. I know my efforts will not take hold overnight. As a matter of fact, reclaiming any semblance of a typical family with a father/mother and child in the 70th percentile will take years. It took years to lose the “ideal” family; it may take years to get it back.
Some may ask what family structure has to do with youth development in golf. It has almost everything to do with it.
Yes golf is an individual sport you play against the golf course and other players. But in the developmental stages of the game, just like in a child’s life, it takes a family to support a child and provide resources for that child, i.e., lessons, equipment, playing experiences in many different tournaments and other expenses to give that child the best opportunity to succeed.
When children enter their teens and then adult, the team (agent, coach, caddie, etc.) replace and/or join the family.
From informal research that I have personally conducted, 99 percent of players in the modern golf era were introduced to the game at an early age of four or five years old. And, I will surmise that of the people that are in the golf industry, including the club pros, directors of golf, green keepers, etc. They were also introduced to the game at an early age. Or, they were likely around the game or knew someone that had access.
I plan to market/make aware the challenges we face like the loss of family structure. From a political standpoint, having family values may be viewed as a value held only by conservatives. But historically black people have set the standard for family values and structure. We need that back and not just to get more black and underserved kids playing golf or working in the golf industry. But we need the ideal family structure in place for the sake of our communities, country and world.
Update on 3-5-10 Youth Development Mentoring program
I am working with one of the local school board members on establishing more golf programs for elementary, middle and high Title One schools. It so happens that these programs are for schools in predominately black locations with below par educational achievement and increasing high school dropout rates.
The 3-5-10 program is developed to address the loss of family structure. I am also working with a group of guys on present programs to bring the man back to the home. I will be working in Title One schools where there is 75-80 percent single parent house hold.
This opportunity with the educational school system will help me to implement the 3-5-10 Mentoring Youth Development program.
My Concept of: Spiritual Golf…Inner appreciation for the game’s intrinsic values! Give Youth A Gift For Life, Youth Golf Development!
Let me know your thoughts on this. Send me a message with your comments on my Youth Development Blog.
Howard Bankhead
Executive Director
Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development
604 Jordan Lane
Huntsville, AL 35816 USA
256-604-8172
