For most kids growing up in Oklahoma City’s urban core, golf has always been a sport for someone else. Expensive, exclusive, and out of reach. But thanks to the power of partnership, that’s changing one player, one putting green, and one purpose-driven collaboration at a time.
Through the Fields & Futures Golf Pathway, community partners are driving positive change by introducing kids to the game of golf and opening doors to new opportunities.
Partnerships That Make an Immediate Impact
Partnerships are the lifeblood of the F&F Golf Pathway. Every contribution directly impacts kids in Oklahoma City Public Schools by introducing them to golf and giving them access to places and programs that nurture their growth on and off the course.
For the past five years, Fields & Futures has been honored to be the beneficiary of the Mark Liddell Memorial Golf Tournament, with proceeds directly supporting the Golf Pathway’s growth. Last year’s tournament funded a new putting green at Southeast High School, and this year’s raised $35,000, which will fund another putting green at an OKCPS high school. That leaves just three greens to go before every OKCPS high school has its own practice area.
At Southeast High School, Golf Coach Jackson Witt sees the new putting green as more than just a practice space. It’s a symbol of access and inclusion that’s opening doors for students who might never have tried the game before.
“One of the biggest barriers to golf for our kids is judgment. Showing up at a course surrounded by people with expensive gear who look like they know what they’re doing can be intimidating,” said Coach Witt. “Having a private facility gives students a place to experience the game for the first time without that pressure. If I can get a student to spend even 15 minutes around the new putting green, that’s a win. It might be all it takes for them to realize golf is for them.”
This year, the Presbyterian Health Foundation also contributed $25,000 to the F&F Golf Pathway. Their investment paves the way for a golf culture built on access, opportunity, and sustainability in Oklahoma City’s urban core.
Each partnership, donation, and collaboration fuels a strategic approach that’s transforming golf across the district.
The Front 9 & The Back 9
Support for the Golf Pathway creates two powerful and complementary outcomes that are reshaping what golf looks like in Oklahoma City’s urban core.
The Front 9 is all about bringing golf to the urban core by breaking down barriers that prevent access, entry, and inclusion. Its focus is on growing the sport for students in 3rd through 8th grade, and helping them discover the joy, challenge, and discipline of the game in a fun, accessible way. The Front 9 is where interest is sparked and confidence takes root.
Front 9 initiatives include:
- Introducing SNAG® Golf in all 33 OKCPS elementary school PE programs.
- Partnering with OKC PAL to support an introductory middle school golf league.
- Hosting free clinics and beginner camps.
- Providing free year-round access to municipal courses and driving ranges.
The Back 9 builds on that momentum by growing golf in OKCPS through turning early exposure into long-term opportunity. This phase emphasizes providing meaningful competition and experiences for OKCPS golfers in 9th through 12th grade, and ensuring every OKCPS campus has the resources to sustain a thriving team while developing competitive programs across middle and high schools.
Back 9 initiatives include:
- Installing putting greens at every high school.
- Providing operational support to help OKCPS sustain golf programs at all middle schools and high schools.
- Developing meaningful competitive experience for OKCPS golfers.
- Supplementing school programs with camps, clinics, and resources for player and coach development.
- Providing free year-round access to municipal courses and driving ranges.
- Creating scholarships and golf-related workforce development opportunities.
Together, the Front 9 and Back 9 form a complete course that begins with access and ends with opportunity. It’s a long-term strategy designed to cultivate a sustainable, citywide golf culture in the urban core.
Teeing Up a Citywide Transformation
Through partnerships and community support, the Golf Pathway is teeing up hope, confidence, and connection while laying the foundation for future scholarship and career opportunities.
The impact of this support is already being felt across the city.
In September, the Oklahoma City Police Athletic League launched its introductory 6th-8th grade golf league in partnership with 3bird. The league uses the SNAG® Golf system and volunteers from local college programs to teach new golfers the fundamentals of golf in a fun, engaging way.
And throughout the fall, multiple golfers from several OKCPS schools have been practicing and playing at local municipal courses thanks to the green fees and driving range access provided by the F&F Golf Pathway.
“Supporters of the Fields & Futures Golf Pathway are giving our kids an opportunity that many wouldn’t have otherwise.” — Sean Lee, Putnam Heights Academy Golf Coach
At Putnam Heights Academy, Golf Coach Sean Lee has seen firsthand what this opportunity means for his students.
“Supporters of the Fields & Futures Golf Pathway aren’t just giving us free golf,” said Coach Lee. “They’re giving our kids an opportunity that many wouldn’t have otherwise. Thank you for believing in our program!”
For Putnam Heights Academy golfers like Xavier Ingram and Amarion Jackson, the chance to learn and play golf for free is nothing short of transformative.
“Getting introduced to the game of golf for free has been incredible for me and my family,” said Ingram. “I’m so grateful for your support in making golf accessible.”
“This kind of access makes a real difference,” added Jackson. “I truly appreciate the chance to learn, play, and practice golf.”
Pave the Way for Golf as a Pathway Partner
As a Fields & Futures Golf Pathway Partner, there are endless opportunities for your support to make golf equitable for students in the urban core.
- Sponsor developmental camps and clinics for athletes and coaches.
- Provide access to meaningful competition.
- Deliver resources that ensure long-term program stability.
- Forge and develop impactful partnerships.
- Cultivate transformative team experiences.
- Equip athletes with quality gear and uniforms so they can compete with confidence.
Contact Emmy Hufnagel to learn more about becoming a Golf Pathway Partner with a custom giving game plan.