Thousands of dollars in scholarships support Detroit high school students by simply playing the game of golf. Golf teaches the students college preparation, business acumen, and important life skills.
The Midnight Golf program was founded in 2001 to improve under-served young adults’ personal and professional development, college success, and appreciation of the game of golf.
This impact on the 128 Detroit high school students who have completed the program, will continue to reward Detroit youth in scholarships.
“The youth in Midnight Golf are leaving us prepared for a successful life,” said Renee Fluker, executive director of Midnight Golf. “In this program, students gain professional mentors that last a lifetime and travel to colleges across the country. They come to us with great potential but leave ready for excellence in college and their careers.”
Since September 2014, Detroit high school seniors who were chosen after a rigorous interview process met at Marygrove College twice a week to participate in sessions about financial literacy, resume writing, and scholarship applications led by professionals across the region. They also spent half of their sessions learning golf from PGA Professionals.
“It’s no secret how prevalent golf is in the business community,” said Fluker. “We make sure students know the game of golf and have their very own set of golf clubs when they leave the program. By combining golf with life skills and mentorship, Midnight Golf gives Detroit youth much needed exposure to networking as future professionals.”
One of the most compelling parts of the year was the week-long college tour in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee where students golfed at some of the country’s most renowned golf courses and toured numerous colleges.
“Thanks to Midnight Golf, I have gained connections that go beyond the walls of Marygrove College,” said Vivian Obia, senior at Renaissance High School in Detroit. “Whenever I mention Midnight Golf, I always receive questions of interest, and how the program works. I always assure people that this program taught me more than golfing; it gave me strong mentorship, life lessons, and an extended family.”
Since the program’s inception, more than 1400 young people completed the 30-week learning experience with nearly 800 students admitted to over 100 different colleges and universities across the country. Through the training and experiences the participants become empowered and socially responsible young adults prepared to maximize their potential and appreciate the game of golf. Learn more at www.midnightgolf.org.