Doug Lemons
Although I had worked for several country clubs and found the work enjoyable, I still found myself looking for something more fulfilling. In 2006, I made one of the most career rewarding decisions I have ever made, to focus all my efforts on teaching golf to children ages 4 and older.
The challenge we face today is making golf one of a child's top five choices. Currently, children are choosing other activities to fill their free time, with team sports, karate, dance, music, and video games being their top five. How did I overcome this challenge? I believe in order for a child to try a new activity and stick with it there has to be certain elements that exist. First, the choice must be fun. Secondly, they can participate with their friends. Finally, they have to experience some level of improvement. A child will play with a stick for 30 minutes if it is fun. This is my approach to the challenge, which starts in the schools where future junior golfers are waiting to be discovered. Two programs that I have implemented locally are the following:
- In-school Programs: By conducting a modified Golf-Baseball game during students physical education classes at no cost. To date I have reached over 1642 students. Each student then receives a flyer to take home and share with his or her parents. As a result, my summer camps are filled every year.
- After-School and in-school enrichment programs: These are one-hour sessions over a four-week period and the cost is $40 for the entire program. This program fills a need for children while not interfering with their other activities during the school year.
Stark County has long been known as the golf capital of Ohio and yet there were only a few, scattered opportunities for juniors and even fewer opportunities for those under the age of 12, to compete and showcase their skills. This led me to organize the first Canton Local U.S. Kids Tour. Numerous such attempts had been made elsewhere but Stark County was not on anyone's radar. I applied to become a Tournament Director and was advised to prepare a presentation and present it for consideration. It took 3 months of preparation and a 30 page PowerPoint presentation plus a whole lot of persistence, but proved all worthwhile when it was announced that the Tour was coming to Canton in 2009. The Tour had a very positive impact on the community
- 51 players in the first event and 82 players at the Tour Championship averaging 61 players per Created a fall Tour first event 70 players and finished with an average of 64
- Participants traveled from as far as Canada and New York to participate.
- In 2010, I have once again been entrusted with a spring, summer, and fall Tour with 22 events scheduled. This is the only tour in Ohio with a three-tour schedule.
The successful completion of this event has proven to be one of my most successful and rewarding challenges I have faced as a PGA professional and I thank U.S. Kids Golf for giving me this opportunity.
There is an old adage that says, "No man stands so tall as he who stoops to help a child". What a wonderful philosophy and one to which I am totally committed. I am not a doctor, lawyer, or brilliant scientist. I am a golfer. As such, this is the best way that I can help a child. Although I enjoy the title of Professional Golfer, I must never let this become an obstacle between me and the child with whom I am working. I have found that building a relationship with a child is easy if only you are willing to recognize and respect them for who they are. There are many times when the teacher must become the student. There are times when throwing a water balloon is far more fun then swinging a golf club. There are times when a shoulder to cry on is far more important than the art of gripping a club. Above all else, there is always a time to encourage - never a time to criticize.
It is an honor to be recognized for such a prestigious award. There is not a child I can turn my back to. There is not a child I can walk by without the temptation to talk to them about golf. My love for the game and the children are undisputed and I will continue teaching the life skills and values that golf has taught me.
Sincerely,
Doug Lemons, PGA
Click here on the links below for more information 2010 Junior CampsLittle Tee CampsAdult ClinicsPrivate Lessons
 |
A Local Tour is a series of eight tournaments held weekly, culminating with a one-day Tour Championship. Awards and points are earned at each event, and the young golfer in each age/gender group with the most points at Tour's end will win Player of the Year honors and receive a priority invitation to all U.S. Kids Golf Regional Championships as well as the coveted invitation to the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina, if they have participated in at least four events and meet the scoring requirements.
Registration for local Tours is open to all players.
To register click Registration
|
|
