Darren Ross Lewis
(October 24, 2013)–Darren Ross Lewis loves to go fishing. Before leaving his hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin–for Chandler, Arizona–one of his fondest memories is that of the abundance of rivers, lakes, tributaries and waterways that kept him happily casting his rod and reel. With more than 50 places to fish within 60 minutes of central Milwaukee, it is possible to catch a wide variety of fish including coho salmon, walleye, largemouth bass and brown trout….Lots of good eating for the experienced fishermen.
Nowadays, Darren is fishing for birdies (and eagles) on the golf course. But, just how did he get so incurably ‘hooked’ on this game? “By following my father to the driving range,” says the single gentleman who carries a 1.9 handicap and is looking to lead the next generation of golfers on the PGA Tour!
For right now, the 27-year-old is working towards a Golf Complex Operations and Management degree at The Golf Academy of America, a private 2-year college located in 5 states that successfully prepares students of all ages for a career in golf.
Darren’s zeal to complete the program has propelled him to start an ambitious fundraising campaign online at GoFundMe.com, where he hopes to secure much-needed money to cover his tuition at the Academy. “Financial aid only paid a portion of the tuition and my out-of-pocket costs have become too much for me to handle on my own. I have been doing my best working, and paying what I can….Any help will be deeply appreciated!” says his funding page that aims to raise $3,800.
“Eventually, my goal is to earn a certification in club building, teaching and club fitting,” Darren says, proudly. Properly fitted golf equipment is a must for everyone, pros and amateurs, and having the correct tools in your golf bag can lead most players to the true enjoyment of the game for a lifetime.
For the past year, while juggling practice and the realities of life, Darren has worked as a customer service representative with Enterprise car rental at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. Conveniently located nearby sits his home course, Legacy Golf Resort. The old West 18-hole championship golf course is as challenging as it is scenic.
It lies at the base of Phoenix’s well-known South Mountain, where stories abound of President Teddy Roosevelt and Francisco “Pancho” Villa visiting the historic bunkhouse in the early 1900s. It is now grandly preserved on the golf course’s first tee.
President Roosevelt may have played golf, but, like other politicians of the day, decided to keep his golfing private, as at the time, it was considered a game for only the rich. Pancho Villa, historically known for his ‘rob from the rich, give to the poor’ exploits, is viewed as a hero among the underprivileged peoples of Northern Mexico. Characterization grips both of these icons.
Darren is his own motivator and loves staying active and participating on softball leagues when his schedule permits. He gets out for golf about eight times a month, which, personally for him, is still not enough. He knows it’s the consistency of playing that will help him keep his edge and overcome his faults.
He’s focused on his efforts and refuses to let anything stop him from achieving his dream. However, out of all the things to challenge his game, he says the biggest is: “Cost! I don’t make a lot of money, so it gets hard to pay entry fees and green fees. He was a member of the Wisconsin Golf Association for two years. Today, he favors being paired for rounds with whoever happens to be at the course, on any given day, and admits, that “Every round could be better.”
“The challenges you face each round are always different. And, every course demands different types of shots…. it will challenge your mind!”
