Kevin Collins, USGTF
BY AAGD STAFF
(February 7, 2019)
“Growing up in the streets of Maywood, Illinois provided many possibilities for consumption of life-ruining activities,” says scratch golfer Kevin Collins. “I thank God that he had a different plan for me.” As a child, he was fortunate enough to be raised properly by his father. “One of the most valuable lessons that he imparted to me was, “follow your dreams.”
“At the age of twelve, I was introduced to the game of golf through a local mentoring program called Proviso Leyden Council for Community Action (PLCCA) Kidz N’ Klubs. This program exposed me to the world of golf and a new-found passion. PLCCA (Kidz N’ Klubs) helped me to build confidence, self-control, and discipline for the game of golf.” That confidence helped Kevin gain many tournament wins as an amateur player.
His numerous wins and golfing accomplishments that include: winning junior tournaments (2002-2004), becoming a junior golf instructor, receiving front-page recognition in the Maywood Herald Newspaper, being awarded MVP while on the Proviso East Golf Team (2004-2005), and a scholarship to Jackson State University. “Unfortunately, due to my father’s fading health, I had to decline the opportunity to go off to college and fulfill my passion,” he says.
FAMILY FIRST
“Making the decision to stay back home and take care of my father was imperative. It made sense to sacrifice my desires to take care of someone who single-handedly sacrificed his life to take care of me.”
Shortly after this decision, his father passed away. “Although this was one of the gloomiest moments in my life, I was determined to follow the advice of my father and follow my dreams.”
“In an effort to bury my sadness, I attempted to ‘scratch my itch’ for golf by working at several of the big-name golf retailers. I became a certified instructor with the United States Golf Teachers Federation (USGTF) and advanced to the position of an assistant golf instructor at the PLCCA (Kidz N’ Klubs). Who would have known that I love teaching golf just as much as I love playing golf?”
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Kevin Collins, USGTA
Today, the 31-year-old, Madison, Ill., resident is a member of the Advocates Pro Golf Association (APGA). Last year, he took an entrepreneurial leap and turned his love and passion for golf into a business launching Golf Diversity L.L.C. on January 19, 2018.
FUTURE GOALS
As a professional golf instructor, Kevin provides golf lessons to all levels and ages of new and experienced players. His service has provided over 100 lessons to local clients.
“My goal for the future is to own several indoor golfing facilities with state-of-the-art equipment. This way, I can create an atmosphere that is conducive to enhancing the performance of golfers with a variety of strengths and needs.”
Golf most certainly has changed the life of Kevin Collins on- and off-the-course. “My mindset and discipline have advanced tremendously. I am a better person because of the game.”
