By AAGD STAFF
Summit Golf Foundation (SGF) is a junior golf program based in Portland, Oregon, and founded by PGA Professional Quincy Heard. Its mission is to equip and challenge young people to excel in life through the game of golf. In a single round of golf, players must use their integrity, respect, and skill to overcome adversity and experience success. The golf school and academy combine the teachings of positive character traits with golf fundamentals and helps youth navigate around the golf course and through life.
As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization Summit Golf is “Breaking Par for youth” in the Portland-metro area by giving young people exposure to the game and professional training. The programs used in reaching out to youth work to teach young people the game of golf while also instilling integrity, confidence, and leadership into their daily lives. The foundation is highly successful in its offerings of a variety of programs and activities which serve youth ages 6 to 18 while providing them with a chance to learn, have fun, and play golf. SGF programs such as “Breaking Par,” “Rock The Roll” and a popular “Summer Caddie Program” keep participating youth fully engaged.
This summer, Heard is teaching a global roster of 22 area youth who represent 13 countries, such as Ghana, Somalia, Tanzania, Congo, Mexico, Lebanon, Philippines, Iraq, Cuba, Ukraine, and several others. “The kids are just amazing and they were all interested in learning the game, which makes it easy to do this,” recants a 49-year old Heard. “It’s a lot more work, but it is well worth it. I am so happy when I come to the course every day…It is more than what I expected.” The success of SGF is also surrounded by its volunteers who help with fundraising, mentoring and much more.
Heard was born in Montgomery, AL and has been a PGA Member since 2006. He was brought from the deep southern Heart of Dixie State to the west coast by the US Navy where his first station was in San Diego, CA, although his ship was stationed in the dry docks at Swan Island in Portland. Following his active service in the US Navy, Heard headed back to Portland and worked a variety of jobs before gaining an interest in golf as a career.
RELATED ARTICLE: Turning Passion Into Profession PGA of America Special on CBS (July 16, 2017)
“I Set Out to Just Play Golf”
“I introduced myself to golf on my 21st birthday and was hooked after the first swing. I set forth in search of a career plan to allow retirement at 35 and pursuit of playing at the highest level I could for the rest of my life. At 27, I realized that life is precious and short with no promise of tomorrow so I set out to just play golf,” according to his testimony on PGA.com, Heard’s golf career began in Player Services at Langdon Farms GC in Aurora, OR, where he worked under the direction and encouragement of PGA Professional Robert M. Clark.
Heard entered into the PGA Professional Development Program in 1998 and was elected to membership in the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) in 2006. Heard is also keeping busy serving as a coach at the Warner Pacific University for the last 6-years. He was named head men’s and women’s golf coach in August of 2012. His community awards and civic involvement are numerous. The Navy Veteran has served on the Portland Parks and Recreation Bureau Golf Advisory Committee since 2003. He has also served on the Oregon Chapter PGA Board of Directors where he was the chairperson of the Play Golf America Committee and on the Inclusion Committee.
CONTACT:
Summit Golf Foundation
731 N Hayden Meadows Drive
Portland OR 97217
503-285-1600
360-836-7711
info@summitgolf.org
