Executives teach teens lessons about golf, life in 8-week course

By Greg Silverman
Dayton Daily News

DAYTON - David Barrett had a couple of rough holes to begin the front nine, but the newcomer to golf came inches away from making par on the third hole.

"There's always a bump in the road in life," Barrett, 17, of Dayton said. "But you get through it and it's fun."

Barrett was one of 40 local teens paired with 40 local business executives for Mentors Matter — one of the United States Golf Association's top charity programs.

The mentors met with the teens at Kittyhawk Golf Course in Dayton twice a week for eight weeks, teaching them the rules of golf and giving advice on life.

"The mentors just spending time with the kids makes a difference," said Jennifer Mueller, the YMCA Youth and Teen Development Director who runs Teens in Action. "That's the piece that was missing from the program."

Teens in Action is a summer camp through the YMCA of Greater Dayton that focuses on teaching teens how to make good life decisions. Mentors Matter was added to the program last year, and has had a positive effect.

"They're teaching us how to be leaders; what to do and what not to do around others," said Barrett, who will be a senior at Belmont High School. "Golf is hard, like life. It takes practice and focus. You gotta have a positive attitude."

The mentoring program uses golf as a vehicle to teach the teens, some of whom live in foster or low-income homes, developmental assets that program founder Scott McGohan believes drive success in life.

"The foundation of golf is integrity. There's no coach and no ref, just like in life," McGohan said.

Wednesday was the final day of the program. The teens got to play the course while their mentors caddied.

"It's neat to see these shy kids open up. They just need somebody to listen, somebody to care," McGohan said.

The teens also have listened to the mentors, and have taken something from the program.

McGohan sees the good in every kid, and wants to make sure that they see it, too.

"I want the kids to have a sense of self-worth, and that's something that has to be given to them," he said.

Darnell Tubbs, a 15 year-old Trotwood-Madison sophomore, knows his worth and has the opportunity to do something with his newfound knowledge.

"I have a younger brother, and younger kids look up to me to be a leader," he said. "I know I can be an influence to others."

Mentors Matter

What: A program designed for adults to mentor teens, providing them with decision-making skills to help guide their future.

Who: 40 local CEOs paired with 40 local teens from Teens In Action, a summer youth program held by the YMCA of Greater Dayton.

When: Eight-week summer program began June 5 and concluded Wednesday.

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