For the past several years I have watched a father and son practice and play at the par 3 Steve Hogan Golf Course here in Omaha, Nebraska, where I play as well. The course is a city course formerly known as the Miller Park Golf Course and was renamed in honor of Steve Hogan who was Nebraska’s first and only Black PGA professional.
Steve Hogan started Hogan’s Junior Golf Heroes in 1990. Steve was Nebraska’s first African American, PGA of America Professional. He was also the 2004 US Kids Golf nominee for one of “America’s top 50 kids Teachers” and 2003 PGA Junior Golf Leader of the Year. The program Steve started had just two kids and now provides golf training and life skills to hundreds of youths annually through Hogan’s Junior Golf Heroes Foundation which became the First Tee of Omaha.
I was a member of Steve’s Board and know firsthand about the special interactions and unique relationships that have their roots at this unique place.
This father and son tandem is indeed unique as I have been watching Miles Lewis Sr. and Miles Lewis Jr. repeat their three time a week ritual for almost 15 years. I have watched without fail Miles Sr. and Miles Jr. chip, putt, and pitch over and over with predictable regularity in the practice area just north of the number nine water hole.
I have grown to look for them when I go to the course either before or after my round. I have found joy in watching their relationship grow but how each of them has grown over the past decade and a half. Their journey has come quite a way since Miles Jr. was given a set of Charlie Brown “Snoopy” golf clubs by a family member when he was just 4-years-old. By the way Miles Jr. has had 2 holes in one! Both taking place at the golf course he has come to love for 15 years and on the Number 9 ,100 yard water hole.
And, as a Black man, I am especially proud of how this African American single father has nurtured, taught, and loved his son. According to Pew research, only 5% of Black Households are headed by a single male, thus making Miles Sr. a very unique person. Miles Jr. is autistic and is on the spectrum as nonverbal but does use using single words or phrases without verbs. He is now 18-years-old, a high school graduate and a loving son. The dad, Miles Sr, the 14th of 15 siblings works for a health care organization in Omaha.
Most importantly, he provides love and support to his son and is absolutely dedicated to the well being of his child as he emphatically stated to me during our interview.
Miles and son not only play golf in Omaha but they have traveled to Arizona, California, and Texas to tee it up. Dad has hopes of one day playing with his son in Africa.
In the meantime, Miles Sr., Miles Jr. and I are planning a golf tournament to bring attention and awareness to Autism and provide support to parents and families of autistic individuals. The event will be held at Steve Hogan Golf Course – where else? I am proud and happy to know these fellow golfers.
Background
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. According to the Centers for Disease Control, autism affects an estimated 1 in 36 children in the United States today.
Golf champion Ernie Els and his wife, Liezl founded the Els for Autism Foundation in 2009. The Els’ son, Ben, is impacted by the disorder.
Els for Autism global mission is to transform the lives of people with autism and those who care for them through lifetime services and collaborative partnerships.
https://www.elsforautism.org/get-to-know-us/our-mission/
