Another good news in the world of golf..

Golf Instructor reaches out to help inner city youth

SAN ANTONIO — Larry Whitfield says he remembers seeing a group of inner city children hitting rocks with sticks, and he took action. He decided to start a golf program to teach them about the game.

Eleven years ago, Whitfield turned his passion for golf into a mentoring program. The San Antonio Junior Golf Foundation has served as a rewarding program for thousands of youths. Whitfield says he left a successful career as an executive chef to spend more time at home and that led him to spend more time on a golf course. He says the junior golf program is designed to teach kids up to age 18 the sport and help them learn discipline and dedication.

Whitfield says the program is open to many inner city students who might not have a chance to learn the game. The program started at the Pecan Valley Golf course. When the course shut down, Whitfield eventually moved his lessons to the Woodlake Country Club. It costs $25 to sign up. Whitfield says he uses his own money to make sure students have golf clubs and all of the necessary equipment to play the game.

Seven-year-old Sophia Silva is considered one of Whitfield’s star students. He says she quickly mastered the basics and now competes and often beats players in older age groups.

Whitfield brags a bit about how many of his students have gone on to college, some on scholarships, because of the work ethic he says they picked up from playing golf.

Read more: http://www.woai.com/news/local/story/Golf-Instructor-reaches-out-to-help-inner-city/mxlgmBfFV0qADAk9X448IQ.cspx

I hope more and more instructors would help our youth to engage in the game of golf..