Drive for Dreams

In mid 2007, the EWGA Foundation launched a new outreach program called, "Drive For Dreams" to share our good fortune with those less fortunate through contributions of golf equipment and other resources needed to 'Give the Gift of Golf'.

The first fundraising campaign under this initiative was introduced in the fall of 2007 and donations collected were earmarked to benefit a girls golf school run by Kenya's only female golf professional, Rose Naliaka.  At the 2007 EWGA Conference at Amelia Island Plantation, conference attendees heard firsthand from Rose how she uses the game of golf to teach life lessons to girls who would otherwise lead a squalid existence in a country rife with HIV and illiteracy where the average life expectancy is only 47 years of age.

This first golf club collection campaign was a huge success.  EWGA members were immensely generous with their donations of golf clubs, shoes and other items.  These donations were sent to Kenya and after a long, long journey -amidst much political upheaval throughout Kenya - the girls finally received the donations.

For 2009, EWGA Foundation's "Drive For Dreams" initiative has been expanded to actually monetize golf club donations, turning unwanted, gently used golf clubs into cash donations to the EWGA Foundation based on their fair market trade-in values.

The 2009 "Drive For Dreams" initiative will benefit Renee Powell's Girls Golf Program at the Historic Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, OH, the first and thus far only golf course in the United States designed, built, owned and operated by an African-American - Renee's father, William "Bill" Powell.

Clearview Golf Club had its humble beginnings in 1946 as William ‘Bill' Powell, a World War II veteran, having encountered racial discrimination on the golf course decided to build his own place to play where people of all colors would be welcome.  With the help of his family, Powell has maintained and operated this treasure of the community for more than 50 years.  It is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Renee Powell, a founding member of the EWGA Canton, Ohio Chapter, learned the game of golf from her father and went on to become an LPGA Tour Player.  Renee is now Clearview's Head Golf Professional and known as one of America's top teachers.  She has been actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the family-owned golf course and heads a girl's golf program that serves underprivileged girls in the East Canton area.  To date, approximately 250 girls have been through her year-round program, some of whom have gone on to compete on collegiate golf teams.  As part of her community outreach efforts, Renee teaches life lessons to the girls through the game of golf and the concept that golf can, in fact, embrace your entire life.  She starts her program each year in the district library where students learn all the areas of life affected by golf (print and electronic media, photography, etc.), followed by a trip to a restaurant to learn proper etiquette in dining, that she ties, in similar fashion, to etiquette on the golf course.

EWGA Foundation 2009 "Drive For Dreams" Golf Club Donation Fact Sheet / Program Overview

Remember 1-2-3 When You Donate Clubs (criteria for accepting used clubs)

For additional EWGA Foundation 2009 'Drive For Dreams' initiative program details, please submit an e-mail inquiry to foundation@myewga.com.