The Golf Academy at Cascade United Methodist Church in Atlanta, Ga., celebrated its 10 exhilarating and successful years in ministry. The Cascade UMC Golf Academy utilizes the game of golf to promote family unity, leadership development, good citizenship and spiritual growth.
The academy was formed in 2004 after the late Alphonso A. Carlton, Jr. (committee member of the United States Golf Association) and David Walters presented their plans and dream to the senior pastor, Rev. Walter L. Kimbrough. Rev. Kimbrough eagerly enlisted the assistance of Kenneth and Karen Parks and the four founding members worked diligently to engage other Cascade members who shared their passion for the game.
Above, L-R: Dave Walters, Vice President/Treasurer, Cascade UMC Golf Academy; Leon McGee, Chief Development Officer, Cascade UMC Golf Academy; Williams Lewis, PGC Professional -John A. White Golf Course; Vanessa Hawkins, Director of 1st Tee Program of Atlanta-John A. White Park; Ken Parks, President of Cascade UMC Golf Academy.
The mission of the Golf Academy is to develop a program and service for Cascade UMC members that utilizes the game of golf to promote family unity, leadership development, good citizenship and spiritual growth. This mission is defined by its motto: “The family that prays and plays together stays together.”
The founding members proposed a spiritual model that would motivate Cascade members and influence minority churches in the nation to offer similar programs. They pursued a religious path with tenacity for the church, church families and community residents. Today, Cascade’s Golf Academy is a charter member of the U.S. Golf Association and is governed by their Rules of Play and Citizenship.
(Photo left: Audrey McGee)
The CUMC Golf Academy promotes the game of golf through three components:
- Adult Spring and Fall Beginner’s Classes
- Mentoring throughout the season
- League Play three times weekly during the season
The Academy participates in a Junior Golf Partnership with the First Tee Golf of Atlanta at John White Park and the Bill Dickey Scholarship Academy (BDSA). The BDSA conducts a National Junior Golf Tournament at the Golf Club of Georgia in Alpharetta each year in June. Karen Parks serves on the Executive Board of BDSA.
As an Outreach Ministry, the Golf Academy has become an essential part of the church’s growth through its current leadership team:
- Kenneth Parks, President
- David Walters, Vice President / Treasurer
- Audrey McGee, Secretary/Historian
- Coach Leon McGee, Chief Player Development Officer
- Wayne Copper, Chief Volunteer Development Officer/Asst. Treasurer
- Jeffery Johnson, Chief Communication/Public Relation Officer
- William Lewis, PGA Certified Instructor
- Willie Burks, Certified Instructor
The Golf Academy conducts a 6-week Adult Spring and Fall Beginner’s Classes on Saturday mornings. Hands-on training of golf fundamentals is offered during weeks one through five and instructions on rules and etiquette is covered in week six. Mentors will be assigned to participants once they have completed the class. The Golf Academy also offers Intermediate instruction and a tournament at the end of League Play.
(photo left: Willie Leon McGee joined the church in May 2006 and serves as a key administrator.)
To date, the CUMC Golf Academy has graduated over 800 beginner golfers. Based on the success of the first decade in ministry, the Golf Academy is expected to continue to flourish at Cascade UMC and in the community.
For more information, contact Cascade United Methodist Church at 3144 Cascade Road, SW, Atlanta, GA 30311. Phone: 404-691-5770 or visit their website at www.cascadeumc.org.
(photo left: Willie Leon McGee)
Above: Photo Fall 2014 Beginner Class
