You will learn two things quite quickly if you ever get the chance to meet a golf program participant from Nativity Prep. First, that he has a good handshake. Second, that he is ready to fill a spot if you need someone in your foursome.

The golf program is just one of the learning tools at this innovative, all-boys middle school located near downtown Wilmington, Delaware. Participating in an athletic activity is required from 3:30 to 5:00 everyday, and when the LPGA Urban Youth Golf Program brought in golf as part of its school-based programming, the sport became one of the most sought-after activities.  

Nativity Prep is unique because the private education it provides is targeted toward students from economically disadvantaged households. The school prepares boys in grades five through eight to attend a private high school in Wilmington. The students attend class from eight to three, participate in an athletic activity after classes, and return each night for mandatory study hall from seven to nine.

Brother Ed Ogden, who serves as principal of Nativity Prep, has a unique vision for his middle school; he is not just preparing the students to attend a private high school, he’s preparing them to excel in one.  Class sizes are limited to 15 students, coursework is rigorous, and discipline is ingrained.  As he will tell you, these students are not simply learning the standard fundamentals of Math and English, they’re also learning how to hold their heads high when returning to their home communities.

It is easy to see why golf isn’t that tough for these promising kids. The frustrations of missing a three foot putt pale in comparison to the rigors of everyday life. The students have quickly mastered the fundamental concepts that escape most golfers. They possess a good grip, solid stroke, and beautiful follow through. It’s no wonder the relationship has been a perfect fit for both the LPGA Urban Youth Golf Program and Nativity Prep.

Judy Stout, Executive Director of the LPGA Urban Youth Golf Program, is no stranger to promoting junior golf. She and her team of assistants and volunteers have been operating golf programs for more than a decade. The organization has received financial assistance from such vaulted institutions as the USGA, LPGA, and McDonald’s among others, but the dedication of Ms. Stout and her volunteers is what makes each program successful. The 3,000 plus participants that the LPGA Urban Youth Golf Program reaches each year do not just learn lessons in golf, but rather training for life. Learning a proper handshake and social skills may not make your ball travel further, but Ms. Stout knows these values will make the kids she serves excel in other facets of life.

There is a natural connection between the lessons taught at Nativity Prep and the values associated with the LPGA Urban Youth Golf Program. The instructors want to pass on the values associated with golf, and the students are eager to receive them. While the impending Northeast winter will put a halt on the golf program at Nativity Prep for a few months, be ready for a young boy in a burgundy colored uniform polo to greet you with a smile and charm at the first tee in the spring.