Daniel Choe, an RCOE Specialized Academic Instructor that teaches in the CBK Charter Program, had an idea that he thought might be of value to students at the Don F. Kenny Regional Learning Center in Indio.
“I had been involved with an inner-city golf program before, and saw how much fun it was for students who wouldn’t have had access to learning how to play golf on their own,” Mr. Choe said. “I talked with people about bringing it to our CBK students, and people thought it would be amazing.”
Mr. Choe’s CBK Charter principal and administrative team supported the idea and encouraged him to apply for funds to support the new program.
"This program could not have started without the support of CBK Principal Janice Delagrammatikas and Alternative Education Executive Director, Dr. Deanna McCarty,” said Mr. Choe. “A special thanks goes out to CBK Teacher Malcolm Anderson and CBK Principal Theresa Swickla for their behind-the-scenes support. This golf program is a culmination of collaboration.”
Each year, the Riverside County Board of Education (RCBE) invites RCOE programs to apply for a Unique Project Grant to promote the creation of innovative programs that break new ground in enhancing and expanding organizational programs and services.
When Mr. Choe learned that his proposal had been accepted and awarded $5,480 by the RCBE, he was surprised, but instantly started preparing.
Teeing Up CBK Golf
Mr. Choe’s application explained how the program will be far more than just trying to teach students how to hit a ball into a little hole.
Research has shown that regular participation in physical activities can improve academic performance, character development, and time management. Physical fitness also represents an important life skill, while exposure to green spaces has been linked to enhanced mental health, reduced anxiety, and increased self-esteem.
“By using the academic, physical, and personal development benefits of golf, we aim to provide students with a well-rounded educational experience that enables our students to unlock their full potential to thrive academically, physically, and personally,” said Mr. Choe in the application.
Students in the program won’t just learn how to play golf, but will learn about etiquette, sportsmanship, and character development at the same time.
“This golf program supports CBK’s charter and the learning outcomes for all students. It’s the growth mindset in action, teaching students to be resourceful, engaged, determined, and socially responsible,” Mr. Choe said.
Starting With Bobby Jones
"Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots, but you have to play the ball where it lies."
— Bobby Jones, legendary golfer
When Mr. Choe heard this Bobby Jones quote, he instantly saw the parallels to the life stories of many of his students.
This quote also happens to connect to the first assignment for students in the program—to write a 5-paragraph essay on Bobby Jones and how his philosophy still resonates today.
“To me, he has inspired me to view things differently. I used to get upset about things that were outside of my control, but, now I know it’s okay to not be in control,” CBK student Kyle said when asked about Bobby Jones. “To me, I can move forward and welcome the bad with the good.”
“My biggest thing in coaching golf is language, behavior, and courtesy,” Mr. Choe said. “There’s a choice behind your behaviors. Even if you’re having a crappy day on the golf course, you can still be respectful and courteous to yourself and to people around you.”
Mr. Choe believes that this experiential learning opportunity also represents a seamless connection to the CBK learning outcomes.
“Whether you’re at the driving range or in the classroom, as a student-athlete, there is more expected of you in both locations.”
After initial classroom instruction, weekly golf lessons for participants in the program would begin at The First Tee Coachella Valley in Palm Desert, a golf instructional facility that specializes in lessons for youth and first-time golfers. Students would be expected to journal about their experiences and continue writing reflection assignments along the way.
“Yes, basketball is fun, and football can be painful, but golf is a generational sport that you can play your whole life with friends, family members, life partners, and with complete strangers,” Mr. Choe said. “It’s a lot more than trying to smack a little golf ball hundreds of yards and trying to drop it into a little cup-sized hole.”
Initial Student Reactions
Mr. Choe made signs to hang up all around the campus, and the list of interested students filled up immediately. Only one student had previous golf experience from another school.
“I thought….wow, this is only the first week, I guess we are really going to do this!,” Mr. Choe said. “We even have parent volunteers...I didn’t expect this kind of turnout right away.”
“I don’t think most of our students have ever experienced being on a golf course before,” Mr. Choe said. “We take them to colleges, army bases, and museums, but never to a golf course—even though they see them all the time in the desert. The barriers to accessing those exclusive locations are being taken down with this school program.”
Mr. Choe shared that the program will include celebrations of great shots, correction of instruction, kinesthetic instructions, and then returning to the classroom to reflect and debrief.
“There’s so much opportunity to grow a simple program like this—maybe even with local sponsors and corporations to support our programs,” Mr. Choe said. “Ideally, other CBK sites will also start golf teams, and we can have a tournament and compete for a championship.”
First Time Holding Golf Clubs
After initial classroom instruction, and an introduction to the social-emotional aspect of the sport, four students were ready to start lessons on Friday, November 3.
CBK students Kyle, Juan, Michael, and Yuritza, had never been on a golf course before, or held a club in their hands before they arrived at The First Tee Coachella Valley in Palm Desert.
All four students started the morning with Coach Mike and Coach Jeremy from The First Tee who asked the students why they were there.
Kyle answered: “I want to learn how to play golf and learn tenacity and grit so that I know how to handle bad shots.”
Yuritza shared that she would like to learn so she can play in her free time.
The coaches reminded students of the lessons of Bobby Jones and that the opposite of success isn’t failure, but quitting. The first-day goal for the first four-some of CBK golfers included discovering how to properly hold a club and learn the proper stance. And, most importantly, to not worry about where the ball went.
Students started with body movement drills, proceeded to learn how to chip and putt, and then tried out their clubs for the first time on the driving range.
“My favorite part was seeing people out on the golf course who I could have fun playing with,” Yuritza said. "It is hard to try and hit it in the same way each time, and my hands are hurting from gripping the club. But, I would tell my friends that it is easy and they should join.”
“It was simple and serene,” Kyle said. “Parts of it were more complex, but that complements the fun. My favorite part was the driver shots.”
Juan’s favorite part was successfully hitting the ball past the sprinkler target on the driving range—the first challenge issued by Mr. Choe at the end of the lessons.
“My favorite part was hitting balls for the practice shots,” Michael said. “I am looking forward to beating Mr. Choe out on the golf course.”
View the CBK Golf Photo Album