FOUNDATION FOCUS
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Two very compelling stories come out of the program not of competitive success but in life. I had an old (he is old, I am not) high school friend who wanted to be involved with the program as we discussed this one day at a breakfast we had together. He volunteered his time and did the ADM training offered via PGA.Coach (which I highly recommend you use) as well as got the team jersey’s and he loved the program so much! He said it was the “best part of his week” and I felt honored to have him there as this was a great chance to enhance his life. We would talk each week about how the families were developing in the areas we worked in, we enjoyed our time setting up the golf course and sometimes let the kids set it up with us so they took great pride in their course. The second comes from the Smiles Fore Life Program. One of the children, who was a 6-year old patient with bone cancer at Galisano Children’s Hospital, had done 6 rounds of chemotherapy and came to the golf program we offered in January and February of 2020. “My main man” (I call him) was declared in remission in March of 2020! I offered the program to him and his family and we were able to scholarship him in. Mike D’Agostino gave him US KIDS Clubs he had in I nventory and golf instruction from me is “free for life”. He was a treasure to be around and it was so good to see him healthy running and playing. His team came in 3 place in Family Cup but in my eyes, they were Number One. Each week he and his Dad, Mom and Grandpa came, never missed and his Mom could not thank me enough for all that I did for him. I did nothing. He gave it his all. I am sad to share his cancer is back and he is doing chemo and may need a marrow transfusion, but the families in the program have all rallied around him. They are sending him cards, notes, and pictures to uplift him. He is a rabid Bills fan and I teach some of the players and staff, so I’m working on messages of hope to lift him up. The golf aspect seems inconsequential, but his Mom said he would ask each day if it was Sunday, what color jersey and what was the practice plan because he wanted to be ready. He also would go out in his yard to practice every day the lesson we learned the week previous, now this is dedication. My main man definitely has impacted us all. We ended our program with a PGA Family Cup which ended in a playoff for two teams, in the dark with cell phones from all in the program lighting the green for the final putt. 31 phones light up a green pretty well! rd
I am currently running a 17U program with high school and middle school players where we practice then play match play each week. We are also doing a service program with all youth and families where the Head Grounds Superintendent will meet with the families and educate them on how to repair ball marks as well as how to fill a divot with sand properly, we then go out on the course as families and beautify each tee box by picking up tees, fill divots on the tee boxes and fairways and fix ball marks on the greens. I believe we must educate those getting into the game and reeducate many who are already in it, to care for property and set the appropriate example. We will have a dinner afterwards and have a few laughs I am sure! We are planning another Family Cup for Saturday, October 3 and are hopeful we can create even more participation as well as come together to celebrate 2020. rd
In summary, as I mentioned in my opening statement, “my 2020 has been all ups” and I give credit to those who I have been able to form relationships with through these programs whether it be National, Regional, Sectional Staff or program participants. I am more than honored and privileged to serve our veterans and families and at the end of each session, whether it be Smiles Fore Life, PGA HOPE, PGA Youth and Family, as I drive home, I can’t help but smile that I get to live out my purpose each and every day. I get to be surrounded by such wonderful, passionate people. I feel somewhat selfish because I know I get far more out of these interactions than those that meet me or are in a program and it humbles me and makes me want to work harder, to give more and to appreciate each day. I know our best days are ahead of us in these programs and I wish I could fast forward to the future but for now I will have fond memories of 2020 with all that we learned and the growth we have had together. Brian Jacobs, PGA Lead Coach-Golf Channel Academy WNY PGA Teacher of the Year WNY PGA Horton Smith Award Golf Digest Best in State www.westernnewyork.pga.com/foundation
