Four NCGA Foundation Youth on Course members returned Saturday night from the trip of their lifetimes to the birthplace of golf – St. Andrews, Scotland. Belén Hernandez of Merced, Eddie Nguyen of Fremont, Elizabeth Leavitt of Salinas and Josh Hinojos of Salinas joined a group of 12 other participants from all over the world in a weeklong excursion made possible by New Links St. Andrews. Groups from The First Tee East Lake (Atlanta, GA), The First Tee Fort Worth (Fort Worth, TX) and Naliaka Golf Academy (Nairobi, Kenya) joined the group partially sponsored by the NCGA Foundation.
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade
Throughout the week participants learned life lessons through different experiences and by meeting new people. In fact, the four participants from Northern California hadn’t even left U.S. soil prior to learning their first life lesson of the week. Due to flight delays the group missed its connecting flight to Scotland and learned the next flight to Edinburgh wouldn’t depart for another 24 hours. Instead of sulking in the airport, however, the group made the most out of a bad situation by waking up the next morning and heading to New York City. It was the first trip to the Big Apple for all four participating youth; the expression on each face upon exiting Penn Station and seeing the skyscrapers in mid-town Manhattan was priceless. After a short walk to the Empire State Building, Belén, Eddie, Elizabeth and Josh found themselves waiting in a long line to ascend to the top of the historic site. The situation presented another important message to the participants: the best things in life are worth waiting for. The participants stood in line for well over an hour, moving through security, up elevators and zig-zagging through Disney Land-style lines. Upon reaching the top they discovered the views were well worth the wait. As they’d soon learn, the wait to arrive in Scotland would be worth it as well.
T.E.A.M. = Together Everyone Achieves More
On their first full day in Scotland the participants boarded a bus in the morning to a small town about 10 miles from St. Andrews called Anstruther where they participated in outdoor team-building exercises. The participants were split into four teams of four – each team comprised of one individual from each “geographical” group to encourage the participants to make new friends. Activities for the day included kayaking, canoeing, abseiling (rappelling), climbing and archery. During each activity the staff at the outdoor center made the groups complete tasks that required every individual to work together as a team to achieve a common goal.
When one door closes, three more are opened
The following day the participants bussed down to the Women’s Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St. Annes. The youth received autographs from LPGA players such as Paula Creamer, Juli Inskter, Michelle Wie and Natalie Gulbis. More importantly, acting LPGA commissioner Marsha Evans imparted her wisdom to the New Links participants by reciting a story from her own career that taught her that when one door closes, three more are opened. Even though you may be initially crushed by the failure to land a new job or you aren’t accepted to your top college choice, it’s important to look at the situation as an opportunity to set new goals and to learn from disappointment.
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
A trip to St. Andrews obviously would not have been complete without a few rounds of golf. The participants who were fortunate enough to play the Old Course quickly learned humility as the elements proved much more difficult than anything they had faced in the United States. Winds of 25 mph gusting to 35-40 moved balls on the putting green already placed and ready to be struck. As Belén simply stated, “The Old Course at St. Andrews was an experience comparable to none other. Certainly the best golf experience I have ever had.”
In addition to the Old Course, kids played the Eden and Strathtyram courses at St. Andrews. Travelers were also taken back in history to 1924 when they played with hickory sticks and the golf ball of that time period at The Hill of Tarvit Golf Course. On the final day of the trip participants were treated with a picture-perfect day at Kingsbarns – a links course seven miles from St. Andrews where a view of the ocean is prominent on all 18 holes.
In the end it was a trip none of the four participants from Northern California will ever forget. “The NCGA Foundation was thrilled to help make this trip possible,” explained executive director Adam Heieck. “Belén, Eddie, Elizabeth and Josh are all outstanding young adults who personify what the NCGA Foundation stands for – integrity, honesty and hard work.”
About the NCGA Foundation
Founded in 1989, the NCGA Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit IRS 501(c) (3) charitable organization that provides deserving youth the opportunity to develop life skills and values through golf. The Foundation will continue to increase the availability and affordability of youth golf through its flagship initiative, Youth on Course. A recently adopted five-year strategic plan will introduce new programs such scholarships, equipment grants and youth employment opportunities.
For more information visit www.ncgafoundation.org or call Foundation staff (831) 625-4653.