Youth from the Episcopal Community Services OST and Youth Programs recently participated in a golf clinic at the McCall Golf Club in Delaware County. Amanda-Leigh Player Hall, President of the Gary and Vivienne Player Foundation, organized and hosted the event in honor of the role that golf played in the life of her father, legendary South African golfer Gary Player. Approximately 125 students took part.  

Danie Steyn, Amanda–Leigh Player Hall and ECS OST Director Christian Holland

The clinic, run by professional golfer Danie Steyn and supported by the First Tee organization, featured a full day of engagement with the game of golf. Steyn began the day by teaching the campers about the fundamentals. The campers sat in awe as Steyn instructed them on different aspects of the game while featuring demonstrations from fellow professional golfers.  

The day continued with the students breaking into groups and rotating through a suite of games and activities designed to illustrate the role that balance, reaction time, and form play in golf.  

Campers try their hand at sending a golf ball downrange.

Students then had the opportunity to explore the Club grounds, learn to identify different types of terrain, and test their accuracy. Volunteers from McCall quizzed the campers on their knowledge and rewarded them with golf balls and hats.  

The clinic concluded with a talk by Amanda-Leigh Player Hall, who shared stories from her youth and the impact that golf had on her father. She spoke about how golf was “not only a sport, but a way of learning essential life skills” which leads to becoming a better person.  

“Episcopal Community Services is excited to partner with The Gary & Vivienne Player Foundation and its phenomenal leader and President, Amanda-Leigh Player Hall. Through this collaboration ECS’ youth have been exposed to life changing experiences – such as this – which exposes Philadelphia’s youth to something unique and positive. It is these types of experiences that may have the power and influence to ultimately and positively shift the trajectory of their lives. This is what I live for – helping youth and families to achieve their dreams!” – Christian Holland, Episcopal Community Services, Senior Director