Leaders using golf to teach about life
33 city kids are hitting the ball to the green while learning good posture and respect in the Teens in Action program.

By Tokunbo Awoshakin
Contributing Writer

CENTERVILLE | Ronda Frost, 15, planted her feet firmly and surveyed the green of the golf course. She was unusually calm. It was almost like she had an imaginary line between the golf ball and her target.

With her knees slightly flexed and shoulders a bit shifted, Ronda hit the ball with a quick swing. The ball soared, hopped hard and rested 30 yards away. It was a good swing.

With only a few hours of golf tutoring, this student of Chaminade-Julienne High School in Dayton was hitting the golf ball with natural ease.

"At first I thought golf was boring, but now it's really fun," she said. "Like the mentors told us, I just concentrate, relax my body and hit the ball."

Ronda Frost is one of 33 city kids learning to play golf at the Yankee Trace Golf Course in Centerville as part of a mentoring program put together by 41-year-old Scott McGohan of McGohan Brabender Inc., a benefits brokerage and consulting firm.

Since June 13, the kids, mostly from low-income Dayton families, have been learning to play golf and receiving tips about success in life from some of Dayton's community leaders. On July 27, the kids will play in a 9-hole tournament at the golf course — with the community leaders as their caddies.

According to Jennifer Mueller, youth and teen development director for the YMCA in Dayton, the program is part of Teens in Action.

"Teens in Action is a program in which kids ages 13 to 16 participate in a variety of activities, including community service projects, sports programs and leadership development sessions," Mueller said.

But why golf?

"Well, because golf provides an opportunity to teach these teens much more about life than just this sport. The program incorporates the basics of the sport, but also other things like etiquette, interpersonal communication, responsibility, respect and independence," McGohan said.

It seems to be working.

"I like golf. It's fun but you have to concentrate to do it right," said Anthony Wright, 13, a student at Fairview Middle School in Dayton. "I used to think it was a boring game, but the mentors made it fun and interesting. It helps me keep calm."

Ithiyl Palmer, 14, of Horizon Science Academy said, "Track and basketball is my game but I am beginning to have a good time with this game.

"Another thing I like about golf is that it teaches confidence, respect for others and helps me keep a good posture."

McGohan and the other organizers hope the kids will continue to play golf.

For Ronda Frost, golf is definitely a new area of interest.

"This has been a great experience for me. Everybody thinks I am good at this. I sure want to continue to play golf," she said.