Pine Ridge’s John Long brings golf to hundreds of youth
John Long introduces “First Tee” program in partnership with USGA to kids on the reservation
RAPID CITY, S.D. (KEVN) - Pine Ridge’s John Long has brought a whole new meaning to golf for youth on the reservation.
He’s given young kids opportunities that wouldn’t have existed without his perseverance.
“I’ve seen all the events that they were covering out in Brookings, Sioux Falls and we hadn’t had any events out here,” First Tee golf coach John Long said. “I started making comments on the page out bringing some events out west.”
Two years ago, Long introduced a First Tee chapter on Pine Ridge. First Tee is a program aimed to make golf easily accessible and affordable for kids. The chapters work in partnership with the United States Golf Association through its “IDEA” grant - inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility.
“We don’t have a lot of opportunities on the reservation as most people know,” Long said. “We don’t even have a golf course on the reservation. We drive 24 miles to Rushville every day to practice...but to just get them excited about something. Golf is huge, some of them come naturally with the swing, others we work with but just give them another avenue to succeed.”
Not having a golf course close by has added an extra hiccup in the process. Long is asking Pine Ridge officials to consider the long-term benefits of doing so.
“It could be a multiuse facility, you know, golf courses are typically also used for cross country,” Long said. “There’s different things that we can use with the golf course, but ultimately have the ability for our kids to practice locally, instead of having to drive so long just to get a practice in.”
Through his clinics, Long has reached roughly 250 kids across Red Cloud, Pine Ridge and Wolf Creek Elementary. When school starts back up in August he’ll look to expand the program.
“Hey, give me an hour,” Long explained. “Give me an hour of your P.E. class so I can introduce golf to the kids, and hopefully it will stick. It has stuck at the other schools that we have tried. So, if the other 10 elementary’s are interested, by all means, let’s get a program started and see what you think.”
Long will host his final clinic of the summer next Tuesday, June 25.
To learn more about First Tee, click here.
Copyright 2024 KEVN. All rights reserved.
