Jacob pauses for a backswing photo op

Even as a nationally-recognized fitness and movement educator, Kate Tempesta came to the game of golf relatively late in life. “My first thought, though,” she says, “was what a great game it was for children.”

The upshot of her discovery is the Urban Golf Academy, a workshop designed especially for children and held in eight-week sessions in Central Park. We were thrilled when she offered up two scholarships for our partner students at last year’s Bowl for Kids—and even more thrilled when a very generous Bruce Vinci donated an additional couple of spots.

“It’s just such a wonderfully textured game that teaches so many life skills,” explains Kate. “There’s the perseverance and the mental aspect of it, but it can also be very athletic. It encourages social skills. It’s a great blend, and nobody should be left out of that.”

And for P.S. 73 students Brianna, Devonte and Jacob, the eight Saturdays in the park were certainly about much more than simply learning a new game.

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