BY JACKSON PARK GOLF ASSOCIATION
Jackson Park Golf Association (JPGA) (https://jpgachicago.com/) partnered with Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) Tour (https://www.apgatour.org/) to host a clinic for 27 children at South Shore Cultural Center Learning Center on Saturday, May 27, 2023 from 12 PM to 5 PM.
Not only was the weather wonderful for a spring day in Chicago, but Lake Michigan proved to be a great backdrop for the clinic!
The clinic encompassed three different teaching sessions, which divided children into age groups (5-8; 9-12, 13-18) and included the following sessions: 1) mental wellness led by Dr. Robyn Jackson, 2) careers in the golf industry, and 3) golf skills led by professional golfers playing on the APGA Tour.
Dr. Robyn A. Jackson is a Family Medicine specialist and teaches in Tinley Park, Illinois. She has been practicing community medicine for 29 years.
Adam Stewart talked to the children about First Green (https://www.thefirstgreen.org/) and showed them how to collect soil samples as part of its environment and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education outreach program. Golf courses are used as environmental learning labs for First Green and JPGA is partnering with them to introduce more children to this fascinating area of science and potential career.
Anthony J. Williams is a local mentor and coach working with children in the Hit It Straight Golf Academy (https://hititstraightgolfacademy.com/). He is an engineer and discussed the mechanics and physics of the golf swing and the equipment.
There were five golfers currently playing on the APGA Tour and they covered driving, chipping, and putting skills with each child receiving one-on-one lessons from the pros. One child said how cool it was to receive golf lessons from a professional golfer that looked like him.
One of the pros was Mulbe Dillard IV and JPGA is proud to continue their sponsorship of him playing in the TPC Deere Run tournament in Silvis, Illinois. In fact, JPGA sponsored a trip to watch the pros play in 2022 and returned again to watch them on Monday, May 29, 2023.
Phat Katz Catering, Inc. (https://www.facebook.com/PhatKatzCateringInc/) prepared scrumptious sandwich options of turkey, chicken, or vegetarian with lots of additional snacks in the individual lunch boxes!
The essay contest was a 500-word essay on “Why it is important to make positive choices in your health, wellness and careers.” The winner, Dylan Ford, received $500; and the runners-up who received $250 were: Alexander Applewhite, Ethan Carver, Caleb Hoskins, Jason Price, and Brandon Walker.
There were prizes, which included two TV sets, golf club sets from Golf Course Builders Association of America (https://www.gcbaa.org/) Sticks for Kids Program, and a plethora of golfing options!
This youth clinic was an opportunity that allowed two conscientious organizations, APGA and JPGA, to continue their missions of providing exposing and opportunities for African Americans in golf:
The Advocates Professional Golf Association (APGA) was established in 2010 as a non-profit organization with the mission to bring greater diversity to the game of golf. The APGA Tour Board of Directors work to accomplish this by hosting and operating professional golf tournaments, player development programs, mentoring programs and by introducing the game to inner city young people.
The Jackson Park Golf Association (JPGA) is dedicated to providing values, substantial resources, service, opportunities, and community sustainability. JPGA, through a platform of golf, will identify and provide accessibility, as well as viable and sustainable community resources for the underrepresented and underserved community through accomplished leadership in the multi-billion-dollar golf industry.
