In Parkville, Maryland, students at Parkville High School are proving that passion and perseverance can drive real change—especially when paired with the right support. With 82% of its students qualifying for free or reduced lunch and a district poverty rate of over 74%, resources for athletics are often limited. But that hasn’t stopped these student-athletes from showing up, working hard, and embracing a sport that’s new to many of them.
Parkville’s School Counselor and Girls Golf Coach, Dinah Hong, reached out to Drive Fore the Future in mid-September for help. Historically, the school had fielded a small boys golf team. But when Dinah was asked to consider leading a new girls team—if at least four players expressed interest—something unexpected happened: about 15 girls raised their hands.
Despite the enthusiasm, the team faced significant challenges. Equipment was scarce. Most of what they had were hand-me-down clubs, a single used set purchased on a minimal budget, and whatever the coaches could personally bring from home. Transportation to practices and matches was also a hurdle.
As the school year began, eight girls officially joined the team, alongside eight boys for the revitalized boys team. Many of these athletes were completely new to golf, but that didn’t hold them back. Under the guidance of committed coaches, both teams began making steady progress—and finding joy in the game.
To help meet the growing need, Drive Fore the Future provided 9 complete sets of men’s and women’s clubs, 24 dozen golf balls, and over 20 high-quality polos from Dunning. The goal wasn’t just to outfit the players—it was to show them they belong, and that their efforts are worth investing in.
The results have been encouraging. Both the boys and girls teams are seeing growth in skill and confidence. Most importantly, the students are enjoying the sport and are already looking forward to next season.
We’re proud to support Parkville High School and Coach Hong’s efforts to expand access to golf in her community. We look forward to checking in on their progress and continuing to walk alongside them as their program grows.
