Inner-City Youth Make Golfing Debut

The words “Tiger Woods” and “mini-golf” pretty much sum up the golfing vocabulary of most inner-city youth.

But during the sunny afternoons of July 22-23, nearly 200 children served by four Salvation Army locations in Minneapolis and St. Paul learned there’s a whole lot more to the game: driving, chipping, spiky shoes, and knowing when to yell “FORE!”

The golf outings were held at Victory Links, an 18-hole course at the National Youth Golf Center in Blaine.

“Most of these kids have never seen a golf course or hit a golf ball in their lives,” said Pao Vang, who supervised a group of boys ages 7 to 14 from the W. 7th Salvation Army in St. Paul.

Plenty of girls participated, too. And they loved the experience.

“I wish we could go out there again,” said Ambriehl Higgins, 12, also from W. 7th. “I enjoyed my time out on the golf course. It was a lot of fun.”

The golf event – sponsored by Waste Management Inc. – was for kids served by Salvation Army Summer Day Camps, which provide a safe, positive environment for children Monday through Friday while their parents are at work. Field trips are held almost every day at pools, beaches, water parks and other attractions, as are sporting events such as soccer, softball and kickball.   

The program costs $65 a week per child. Scholarships are available for children enrolled in summer day camp and a similar after-school program that begins in September.

“If a parent can’t pay, that’s not going to stop their child from being able to attend,” said youth coordinator Brenda Line. “We can work something out.”

To donate to the scholarship fund call 800-SAL-ARMY or click here. Designate your donation “After-School Scholarship.”