LOCAL MEMPHIS LIVE with Amy Speropoulos
Golfing with Memphis Athletic Ministries
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – The Memphis Athletic Ministries park golf program offers year-round golf training to local boys and girls ages 8 to 18. The goal is to introduce the game of golf, teach life skills, and ultimately share the truth and love of Jesus Christ.
Terek Gatewood is a junior at the University of Knoxville, but every time he’s home in the bluff city he comes back to a place that helped him get to where he is today; Memphis Athletic Ministries.
“I was able to grow up and know I had friends and family within MAM, and it was really able to make me grow into a better man,” says Gatewood.
Now studying computer science, he uses what he learned on the links in life. So does Darryl Fasiane, a 10th grade student from Soulsville Academy.
“It’s helped me a lot getting to know more about God, and mostly how to really understand the bible,” says Fasiane.
PGA professional Vince Alfonso, Jr. designed and teaches the MAM golf training program that exposes urban kids to the game of golf, a sport that was foreign to most of them before MAM set up shop at a 50-acre course nestled in the heart of the city. All equipment is provided, all the kids have to do is show up and listen.
“Just have conversations about God and Jesus Christ, and how to live life and what path that you need to take and right and wrong things to do,” says Alfonso. “We reached 225 children with the sport of golf and with equipment called SNAG.”
SNAG, or Starting New At Golf, is the newest extension of this program that introduces 4th graders to the game.
“It’s made me very professional, and how to come to work on time, manage, count hours and stay focused,” says Fasiane.
Local 24 has teamed up with Hollywood Furniture And Hardware Company for our Nexstar Founder’s Day Of Caring.
It’s our parent company’s 21st anniversary. This year, we’ve chosen Memphis Athletic Ministries’ golf course for our Day of Caring event.
We’ll be out there this Friday, cleaning up the golf course and getting it ready for the children.
