Inspira Community Day teed off March 21 with a free event for kids to experience golf through both outdoor and indoor activities at DICK’S House of Sport in Glendale. The fun included TrackMan simulation bays, interactive games, short-game and full-swing experiences, fitness stations, and tips from PGA professionals, master club fitters, and First Tee coaches.
Volunteers – including the Grand Canyon University Women’s Golf Team, Girl Scouts, and the Mexican Consulate – hosted more than 100 kids at the event. Among the families who attended, 75% had no golf experience at all; 13% had little experience; 10% had some experience; and 2% had a lot of experience. Outreach for this event was conducted bilingually in Spanish, and Spanish speaking volunteers and staff were available to welcome families.
“For more than 20 years, First Tee – Phoenix has integrated golf with a life-skills curriculum, creating learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do,” said Erin McDonough, executive director First Tee – Phoenix. “Now, with Inspira, we are expanding that impact to reach even more Latino youth and families across the Valley.”
First Tee – Phoenix is a youth development organization that empowers young people to build the strength of character they need to face life’s challenges through the game of golf. The program recognizes that golf has often felt out of reach for many, particularly within Latino communities, due to factors like cultural disconnects, financial barriers, and limited exposure. The Inspira initiative was created specifically to bridge these gaps, offering a welcoming, culturally relevant space where Latino youth and their families feel supported and encouraged to thrive.
