RIO GRANDE – Was there a Tiger Woods or a Nelly Korda among these Wildwood youngsters whacking away at golf balls at a Rio Grande driving range on a recent spring day?
Their mentors sure would like to think so.
About 35 wannabe golf superstars ages 9 to 18 were at the Cape May Par 3 Golf & Driving Range, taking part in the Mentor on the Green program, which teaches golf and life lessons.
Dan Sinclair, co-founder of the free program, worked in juvenile corrections before deciding to help start a mentoring service that might change kids’ lives.
“If we make another Tiger Woods, great, but our goal is for them to grab something out of the mentoring program,” Sinclair said.
Mentor on the Green is “designed to empower youth aged 9-18 by blending the fundamentals of golf with essential life skills,” according to the website of the Southern New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.
“Over the course of 10 weeks, participants are introduced to the game of golf, learning techniques such as proper swings, putting and course etiquette, all while fostering critical skills like teamwork, discipline, patience and perseverance.
“The program’s unique approach uses golf as a platform to teach values that are crucial for success in life, emphasizing personal accountability, respect and focus. … The program pairs golf instruction with mentorship from professionals such as business leaders, athletes, doctors, lawyers and educators.”
According to the Mentor on the Green Facebook page, the group aims especially at working with inner city schoolchildren, but also plans to work with suburban schoolchildren.
Sinclair, who founded the program in 2024 with James Cooper, said part of the aim of Mentor on the Green is to help deal with youth and gang violence. He has worked with the Fed Up 4U program in Bridgeton, which he said attracted kids from all over Cumberland County for its anti-violence and anti-gang message.
Originally from Ocean City, Sinclair ran a flag football program for youth before setting his sights on golf mentorship.
“With a mentoring program we can get kids to come out,” he said.
Sinclair said he linked up with the Wildwood schools by checking a list of 21st Century Schools. 21st Century Schools is an independent educational consulting firm that focuses on fostering growth in students’ character, academics, life skills and wellness.
He has worked with Wildwood for more than 40 weeks, and said families have gotten behind the program and shown a lot of excitement.
He had connected in Wildwood with Brendan Schaffer, who runs the after-school program in the district. That program runs every day and covers a variety of topics and activities, including art, current events, mock trial and, now, golf.
“The program gives kids a safe, fun place to be after school,” Schaffer said.
With the Mentor on the Green program, he said, “maybe some kids who otherwise might never have tried out will join the golf team, and maybe even earn a scholarship.”
Sinclair said, “Because of this golf mentoring program, a girl took it seriously and joined the Wildwood golf program.”
Mentor on the Green also works with NJ4S, a sister agency of Acenda Health. Another helpful and supportive sponsor has been the New Jersey Golf Association.
The Acenda team sponsored the Wildwood School District program and is planning to expand to Woodbine.
Contact the reporter, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com, or call 609-886-8600, ext. 128.
