For many young athletes, access to proper equipment can be the biggest barrier to trying a new sport. At Lehman High School in Kyle, Texas, Coach Kent Smith is working to change that. Unlike other high schools in the area, Lehman welcomes beginners—even those without their own clubs—giving more students the opportunity to experience golf.
Over the past year, the program has seen tremendous growth, doubling its number of golfers and welcoming a wave of new players. To support these athletes, the team relies heavily on donated clubs, loaning out as many sets as possible.
The program’s commitment to accessibility began in response to a major drop in participation during the COVID-19 pandemic. While golf surged in popularity nationwide, Lehman saw parents pull their kids from the sport, leaving the team with just a handful of players. Recognizing that many families in their district could not afford to purchase clubs, Coach Smith made it a priority to provide loaner sets to help grow the team and introduce more students to the game.
This year, Drive Fore the Future, through our partnership with Callaway, was able to provide 10 new sets to the school, helping equip more players as the program continues to expand.
Despite past challenges, Coach Smith has continued to develop talent, with several players advancing to compete at the collegiate level in his eight years coaching at Lehman. The team competes year-round, with tournaments running from October through December in the fall and January through March in the spring.
Lehman High School’s golf program stands as a testament to the impact of providing opportunities for all students, regardless of their background, and ensuring that more young athletes have the chance to experience the game.
