Patriots' Gateway Community Center, Golf Help Rockford Evolve


11/17/06

This is the second in a series of stories celebrating 10 years and $50 million in USGA grants.

By , USGA

Rockford, Ill. - As Jim Flodin and his partner prepared to play a round of golf, two young men inquired about joining the twosome.  With smiles and self-confidence, the two 12 year olds extended their hands and introduced themselves as participants at The First Tee of Greater Rockford.  Coincidentally, the youths had approached the man who had made golf available to them at a critical time.

The Patriots' Gateway Community Center has served as a beacon of hope in southeast Rockford. (Amanda Wilson/USGA)

Four years ago, this would not have happened in Rockford, Ill.  In a neighborhood where crime, gangs, prostitution and unemployment were the norm, kids never thought about making tee times. The word 'survival' was more apropos in this community. However, Flodin had a vision that would change Rockford's perception - one swing at a time.

Flodin started as a consultant for the Patriots' Gateway Community Center. It's there that community members provide life-enriching opportunities for those who live, work, play and learn in southeast Rockford. 

When a conversation focused on golf a few years ago, the Center asked Flodin to lead the initiative, which in turn led to forming The First Tee of Greater Rockford.  He drew up plans and organized fundraisers, and with the support of the USGA, built a learning facility directly across the street from the community center.

Located on a piece of land that was previously occupied by 13 houses, the facility became a safe haven for the area.  The First Tee of Greater Rockford now hosts 600 kids and their community of instructors and volunteers throughout the summer. 

"The difference is that people feel safe to be in the neighborhood; people are rebuilding and remodeling homes," said Flodin. "It's a neighborhood now where you can walk and play outside.  People bought into the center and into golf.  They look after the golf course and the neighborhood everyday."

Instead of a neglected neighborhood that no one wants to be a part of, the facility draws attention from people who ordinarily would not visit this area of Rockford.  They drive by, pull up next to the facility and peek over the fences to see the beauty of the intangible and tangible, whether that is found in a smile or the freshly mown grass.

"Golf is unique to most of these people," said Flodin. "They've heard about basketball or football; they've never had a dream of going out to play golf at the local courses or country clubs, and they have that desire to play now."

Kids aren't just learning a new game; they are learning a new lifestyle.  The First Tee's nine core values have been implemented in every program taught at the community center.  As a result, kids involved in the programs have improved their school attendance records to 92 percent.  Beyond the kids, volunteerism in the community has already tripled since the golf program started.

Because of the golf facility's success, more programs are evolving at Patriots' Gateway.  Plans are underway for the development of batting cages and a skate park on the same block. Without Flodin's vision, these opportunities would not exist.

When talking with Flodin about his involvement in this project, one learns what true passion can feel like.  With every mention of the golf program, his emotion and enthusiasm could not be more evident. 

"The only thing I can say is that over here, Patriots' Gateway is a special place," he said.  "And I feel that way from the bottom of my heart."

Amanda Wilson is a First-Year Fellow in the USGA Grants Initiative and Fellowship office.  For more information about Patriot'sGatewayCommunity Center, please contact her via e-mail at AWilson@usga.org or by phone at(719) 471-4810, ext. 22.