Native Youths Benefit from National Golf Championship Tournament held at Santa Ana Pueblo

“I've been waiting to play golf my whole life," said 6 year old Kayl Rainer, San Carlos Apache/Taos Pueblo/Creek/Ute, as he tugged on the shirt of his golf instructor for the afternoon Native golf pro Steve McDonald.

Kayl, along with 90 other Native youths, arrived at Santa Ana Pueblo's Twin Warriors Golf Course on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in June to participate in a free Native Youth Golf Clinic co-sponsored by the Santa Ana Pueblo and AMERIND Risk Management.

The Native Youth Golf Clinic was a collaborative effort between the Sun Country PGA of Albuquerque, New Mexico and the First Nations Golf Association (FNGA). During June 28 – July 1, 2009, the Santa Ana Pueblo’s Twin Warriors Golf Resort was the site chosen to host the PGA National Championship Tournament. The Native Youth Golf Clinic was held on Saturday, June 27th at Twin Warriors practice facility just before the PGA National Championship Tournament began the following day.

Sun Country PGA and FNGA worked together to raise sponsorship, recruit students, and provide instructors to give lessons covering golf game basics including; teeing off, chipping, putting drills, and good sportsmanship conduct on the course. During the clinic, the large group was divided by age groups and sent to each instruction station working with golf pros for one-on-one and small group lessons.

Steve McDonald, Potawatomi, 25 year member PGA, and Board Member of the First Nations Golf Association, coordinated with Santa Ana Pueblo Governor Bruce Sanchez and Lt., Governor Myron Armijo to outreach to youth programs from all Pueblos, AISES, the Futures for Children organization, All Pueblo Cultural Center, the New Mexico American Indian Chamber of Commerce, and many other organizations to bring as many young people as possible.

“FNGA is committed to providing sports activities for Native communities through our free golf clinics in support of our “Healthy Kids Initiative.” We are honored to have Governor Sanchez and AMERIND Risk Management officials as part of our ‘Circle of Sponsors’ who have actively demonstrated their dedication to the good health of our kids through their sponsorship,” said McDonald.

Joining in the day’s activities was Governor Bruce Sanchez and Lt., Governor Myron Armijo who were presented honor blankets by First Nations Golf Association instructors Steve McDonald and J.C. Wright, PGA, Lakota Sioux, for their support of the “Healthy Kids Initiative.”

"Seeing the Grandparents, moms, dads, aunts and uncles bring their young people here…that’s what family events are all about. We are proud to be a co-sponsor and inspired by the enthusiasm of the kids and their families who brought the kids here and allowed them to take part in the event," stated Governor Sanchez.

AMERIND Risk Management Corp., which has its national headquarters adjacent to the Santa Ana Pueblo Twin Warriors Golf Course near Bernalillo, New Mexico, was also a proud sponsor.

Spokesperson for AMERIND Chief Financial Officer, Mike Jennings, Quapaw/Miami/Sac & Fox, was onsite the entire day and took part in the golf clinic activities and special honoring of Governor Sanchez, Lt., Governor Armijo, and President of the PGA, Jim Remy, for their support of Native youth.

"AMERIND was very happy to be a co-sponsor of the "Healthy Kids Initiative" conducted by First Nations Golf Association and the PGA—we were thrilled with the number of families and tribal organizations that brought kids out to participate," said Jennings. "For many kids, their tribes may own one or more golf courses and yet this may have been their first time on a course. AMERIND looks forward to working with the First Nations Golf Association for future. Healthy kids, start with healthy families, and healthy families start with healthy Native communities.”

Jason Ray, Klamath/Modoc, is the Executive Director of First Nations Golf Association. "Golf is a great sport for our Native kids to become involved…with growing numbers of tribes owning and operating golf courses, we see a great future for Native golf pros who soon will be in a position to manage their tribal courses," said Ray.

For more information about FNGA and upcoming tournaments, please log onto www.fnga.net.