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 InnerCityGolf
InnerCityGolf is a 501 C 3 organization founded in 1998 by Executive
Director, Robin Aikens. Ms. Aikens was a member of the Purdue University
Golf Team and is a member of The Ladies Professional Golf Association
(LPGA) Teaching and Club Pro Division.
InnerCityGolf began as an after-school program for youth interested
in learning golf. In three years, it has expanded to serve as a mentoring
program as well. Mentors provide students with positive feedback,
and challenge and support them to learn new skills. More than 1,000
youth have come through the program and are paired with mentors each
year.
The “Sponsor a Birdie” program is one of the new ways individuals
and corporations can get involved. For $1,000, a student (also known
as a “birdie”) can participate in this unique program.
Program Goals
1.  Foster critical thinking
skills
2. Help increase test scores through
mentoring
3. Teach life and leadership skills
4. Expose students to golf as both
a hobby and a potential career
goal
5. Increase students’ physical
fitness through playing golf
6. Open a technologically advanced
center where children can receive
tutoring, mentoring, and
indoor
golf lessons
Mentorship will exist in an educational, as well as social
environment. Children will be able to spend one-on-one time
with mentors in their chosen area of interest. Children will
also be able to attend predetermined college courses and talk
with faculty advisors about the requirements necessary to become
proficient in the students’ intended professions.
Accomplishments:
InnerCityGolf program participants
took part in The Inaugural Junior Golf Classic presented
by University Golf Association. Twenty-five students participants
and three advanced into the final round.
Participants were on hand to see Michael Jordan, former Chicago
Bulls player, conduct a golf clinic at the 2000 U. S. Women’s
Open at the Merit Club in Gurnee, IL. They were also able to
watch golf played on a professional level.
In May 2002, two female students from the program played with
LPGA Touring Pro Jenny Rosales at the Kellog/Keebler Golf Tournament
in Aurora, IL.
InnerCityGolf made history with Hook A Kid on Golf by bringing
the first ever All-Girls Team to their Traditions on Golf Challenge
in Valparaiso, IN.
Awards:
2000 S. Garry Oniki Award for
Community Empowerment
2001 Hook A Kid on Golf of Illinois, “New Program of the Year”
Award.
Mission: Provide
youth with a caring, adult
mentor in an environment that nurtures self-esteem and mutual
respect as well as individual and
social responsibility. To
instill a life-long love for the game of golf.
Housing Developments Participating in the Chicago, Illinois area:
ABLA
Henry Horner
Rockwell Gardens
Schools and Youth Centers Participating:
ABLA
Ames Middle School
Funston Elementary School
Horace Mann School
Major Adams Youth Center
Marcy Center
Newberry Center
Rockwell Jackson
Rockwell Western
Others to be Determined
Quote
“We are proud to support a program offering outstanding service
to youth in Chicago. Participants in the program will not only
be introduced to the game as a sport, but they will also learn
life skills that will b valuable for years to come.”
United States Golf State Association
Trey Holland, former president
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