Ron Dumas, Assistant Teaching Professional at Avon Fields Golf Course in Cincinnati, Ohio, began Reaching Out For Kids in 1997. The program uses golf as a platform to teach life lessons and helps to direct the young lives of those who need it the most. In addition to building golf skills, he focuses on character education and life-enhancing values to help increase their potential for successful lifestyles.
Club + Resort Business: What are your day-to-day duties at Avon Fields?
Ron Dumas: My day-to-day duties at Avon Fields are varied. My primary duty is front-end management of the pro shop. I take great joy in greeting our guests, welcoming them to the course, and sending them off for an enjoyable round of golf. I am responsible for managing the pro shop staff, scheduling tee times, handling league play and golf tournaments. I market and sell pro shop merchandise. I am responsible for the financial reconciliation of the pro shop receipts. I handle guest relations, which can range anywhere from providing a golfing tip to handling customer complaints. I also spend a portion of my day building relationships with the community with the goals of introducing golf to those who have not played the game, encouraging organizations to choose Avon Fields for their league play and tournaments.
C+RB: How does teaching kids differ from teaching adults?
Dumas: I find that teachings kids can be much easier as the kids are like sponges. They are eager to listen to what you are saying and to put into practice the lessons demonstrated by the teacher. The enthusiasm they exhibit after they make that first hit or first putt brings great joy to my spirit. It is fun to watch the kids develop their abilities as they grow into skilled golfers. Although I enjoy teaching adults, I find they don’t listen as well and can be set in their ways. I have to work a little harder to help them sharpen their skills.
C+RB: Do you prefer one-on-one instruction over group lessons?
Dumas: I prefer one-on-one instruction over group lessons. When working with one player, you can spend more time on their specific needs. The lessons can be more tailored to that golfer’s strengths and weaknesses.
But it should be noted that group golf lessons can also be rewarding. Multiple students in the class can cause the members to motivate each other to sharpen their skills. I am rewarded each time any member of a group acquires the ability to chip, putt or drive the ball. The smiles on the students’ faces as they amaze themselves with what they have accomplished is very gratifying to me.
C+RB: What’s the most common mistake you see your students making?
Dumas: There are two common mistakes that I see in young golfers. First, the young golfer thinks they can just pick up a club and play a round of golf. The second mistake that I often see is the young golfer does not know how to grip the club.
C+RB: Please describe your Reaching Out For Kids (ROFK) program.
Dumas: Reaching Out For Kids (ROFK), officially started in 1997, uses golf as a platform to teach life lessons much more important than any sport, and helping to direct the young lives of those that need it the most. In addition to building golf skills, we focus on character education and life-enhancing values to help increase their potential for successful lifestyles. Our participants learn valuable lessons such as, the importance of doing well in school, being responsible for one’s own actions, making decisions by considering the consequences, and staying away from the negative impacts of drugs and alcohol. We teach our participants about maintaining a positive attitude, how to set goals, and how to transfer values such as integrity, honesty, respect, confidence, and sportsmanship from the golf course to everyday life. It is our hope that these lessons will remain with them into their adult lives. In addition, our program stresses the importance of education and fosters diversity. Our volunteers, as well as our participants, come from a wide variety of races, and economic and business backgrounds. In addition, our program stresses the importance of education and fosters diversity.
C+RB: How do you see the program evolving in the future?
Dumas: As Reaching Out For Kids, Inc. moves forward into the future, my goals are to continue exposing area youth to the game of golf. I hope that more of the students participating in the program will enter local golf tournaments. I hope that more of the students who graduate from the program choose to become members of the PGA and LPGA. Lastly, I hope to develop more relationships with colleges and universities so that I can secure more scholarships for students coming through the Reaching Out For Kids program.
C+RB: What does receiving the NAACP Cincinnati Chapter’s President’s Award mean to you?
Dumas: It’s an honor to win the Cincinnati NAACP President’s Award. When I think about my ancestors and all they suffered, I am humbled to be recognized by an organization that has fought for the rights of others for decades. The NAACP’s mission is to bring everyone together for a common cause. My service to the community is based upon the same principle. I believe that everyone is important and should have the opportunity to succeed.
C+RB: What advice would you offer young PGA Professionals looking to make a difference?
Dumas: I would advise young golf professionals to stay positive and to build relationships with young people so they, too, can be encouraged to become involved in the sport of golf.
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