(September 2014 Blog)– One of the most important things we have to do as a nation is to develop young minds and character.
Facts
As the golf world is looking forward to the Ryder Cup and the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup, it reminds me of the many youth who are not exposed to golf and have not had the opportunity to experience the intrinsic values that the game offers. I am one person that is dedicated to help change and positively influence the academics and social lives of our youth through the game of golf.
There are numerous published studies that prove golf has an impact on youth including TrueSport; Science Daily and The First Tee Impact Report. And with all of the data that validates the impact, you will be surprised that many educators, professors, businesspersons, coaches and parents still do not know the intrinsic value of golf. I have encountered fellow golfers (recently) who were not aware of the positive influences that golf can stimulate student’s academics. This is why Huntsville’s Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development’s (TVYGD) goal is to encourage youth to improve their math, reading, science and character skills using the sport of golf as the context.
With partnerships and substantial financial commitments from the golf industry; educational institutions; various governmental entities; businesses; faith community; youth serving agencies; families and individuals, TVYGD will positively impact the lives of youth, families and communities.
Opportunities
In Huntsville, Alabama ABC News affiliate WAAY-TV Channel 31 will profile TVYGD this Sunday, September 7th, 2014 during their 10 p.m. newscast. Sports Anchor Ryan Marshall will focus on Emari Marshall, who is a Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development (TVYGD) program participant. Ryan says he was touched when he recently read a TVYGD press release about the organization developing a golf league and how the program reaches out to youth unable to join the sport teams, students with marginal grades…and students with special needs. However, TVYGD Director Howard Bankhead believes that ALL kids are special and have needs in some way; some just need more than others. Mainly love and time…Love the most of all.
Because of the character component, the program will also benefit the “star athlete” and the “A” and “B” students” as well!
Please tune into WAAY-TV 31 on Sunday, September 7th, 2014 at 10 p.m. and enjoy a good news story.
This broadcast will give TVYGD some good exposure and an opportunity for us to get the word out about the work and services that we do to empower our youth, bring more youth and families to the game of golf.
NOTE: For those of you who may have missed it,
see how Huntsville’s Tennessee Valley Youth Golf
Development program (TVYGD) told its story to WAAY-TV
(Channel 31) this past Sunday
with Sports Anchor Ryan Marshall and TVYGD’s Director Howard Bankhead.
To see the VIDEO click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH4AtGcqi5Q
Possibilities
The possibility of someone seeing the newscast and appreciating the work that TVYGD has done and is doing and support the program financially is enormous. The possibilities of helping students to improve their character and academic skills through golf are dreams coming true. And developing the golf league and teams are the pinnacle.
Howard Bankhead
Executive Director
Tennessee Valley Youth Golf Development
604 Jordan Lane
Huntsville, AL 35816 USA
256-604-8172
Email: youthlifegolfskills@gmail.com
http://www.golflifeskills.org/
