Video summary
The video documents the third annual "Just P.L.A.Y." Golf Tournament and Banquet, an event designed as a unique blend of five weeks of golf camp activities featuring fifteen talented youth from local Boys and Girls Clubs. For many participants attending this special day, it marks their first time stepping onto a professional golf course, turning what could be a routine sporting activity into a memorable adventure under pleasant weather conditions. The atmosphere is filled with excitement as these young athletes navigate the nine-hole par-3 course for the very first time, learning to manage both the physical challenges of swinging clubs and the mental adjustments required when their initial confidence wavers during play.
At the heart of this initiative lies the organization Play stands for Police Leading Active Youth, a program dedicated to bridging the gap between young people and law enforcement officers through shared interests like golf. One officer highlights his background as a former professional golfer before becoming an officer, explaining that while teaching the mechanics of holding a club is important, the true objective is fostering meaningful relationships. The goal extends beyond simple recreation; it aims to connect kids with mentors who can guide them toward safer futures and expand their horizons through future programs in music, dance, and performing arts, all underpinned by positive mentorship from police officers.
The impact of these interactions is profound for the youth involved, as one participant shares how learning about the daily realities of policing has changed his perspective on law enforcement entirely. He notes that understanding what officers do to protect communities makes him realize they are working hard to make streets safer for children growing up today, dispelling common misconceptions and building trust. This shift in attitude underscores a critical realization expressed by the organizers: while teaching golf skills is valuable, the most significant achievement of Just P.L.A.Y. is establishing genuine human connections that allow young people to see police officers as community protectors rather than figures of fear or suspicion.
Read the full video transcript
How are you?
Everything good? This is the third
annual Just Play Golf Tournament and
Banquet.
Okay, that'll be good. Okay, this is the
combination of 5 weeks of golf camp with
15 great kids from the Boys and Girls
Club. Today is going to be an awesome
day. I'm really excited about it. The
weather's nice.
We're going to play the 9-hole par-3.
First time some of them have ever been
on the golf course before.
So, it's always an adventure.
>> It was difficult.
Oh, I was like, oh, I I think I got this
and then if we kind of struggled.
>> Where did it go?
>> Play stands for Police Leading Active
Youth. The goal of our program is to
connect young kids and police officers
>> All right, now we got it.
>> over similar interests.
>> So, back up a little bit more.
There you go. Now, check your swing from
there.
>> My background was as a golf professional
previous to being a police officer.
So, we started with golf. That's our
first program, but we have some big
goals moving forward in the next couple
of years to expand to other activities,
music, uh dance, performing arts. So,
we're really excited to try to have
those programs available for kids, but
have a mentorship piece with the police
as well.
>> I've been playing golf. This is going to
be my third year.
I enjoy it a lot. Especially learning
more things about officers. Since I've
learned more things,
I've noticed that they try to protect
the community,
especially making uh the streets safer
for kids that are growing up nowadays.
>> We can teach them the basics of of
holding a club and hitting a golf ball,
but it's the relationship piece that's
so critical to what we're trying to
accomplish with Just Play.