April is designated as the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, the Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for the daily sacrifices and the challenges they overcome.
At Carter’s Spectrum Golf Mentoring Program, we recognize that youth in military families often face unique challenges, including frequent relocations, deployments of loved ones, and the emotional stress that can accompany these transitions. Our mission is to foster self-confidence, leadership skills and academic success in youth by combining golf instruction, life-skills development and structured mentorship in a supportive and empowering environment.
Our mentoring program serves youth ages 6 -17 and meets weekly at local public golf courses and park and recreation facilities in South Florida. Each session combines golf instruction, mentorship conversations, life-skills development and goal-setting. Youth work alongside trained mentors who guide them through both athletic development and personal growth activities. Sessions include range time, putting and short-game practice, teamwork exercises, and discussions focused on leadership, emotional resilience and confidence-building. By creating a consistent and structured environment, youth are able to develop trust with mentors while building both golf skills and life skills that extend far beyond the course.
Over the past year, we have had the privilege of working with three military families through our mentoring program, helping youth navigate the emotional and social challenges that often accompany military life. Many of these youth were adjusting to new schools, new communities and the stress associated with family deployments or relocations. Through consistent mentorship, they were able to build confidence, develop friendships and find a sense of stability through weekly programming. Several participants showed noticeable growth in their focus, communication skills and self-confidence as they continued participating in the program. Currently, one military family remains actively enrolled, continuing to participate in our mentoring and golf development sessions.
Pictured: Moments of mentorship on the putting green, where youth mentors guide younger participants through golf fundamentals while building trust, confidence and leadership. Photos courtesy of Carter's Spectrum Golf.
In addition, we are fortunate to have a military dependent serving as a volunteer mentor within our program. Their lived experience provides a powerful connection point for our mentees, allowing them to relate to someone who understands the unique pressures and transitions associated with military family life. This mentor has helped youth feel seen and understood while offering encouragement and guidance from someone who has navigated similar experiences. Showing them that lasting bonds can exist over long distances. This peer mentorship has helped create a normalizing sense of trust, genuine belonging and positive encouragement among the youth we serve.
Through our partnerships with The City of Lauderhill Parks and Recreation, other local youth golf programs such as Empowering Youth Fore Life, and various public golf facilities in South Florida, we are able to provide safe spaces where youth can connect with mentors, develop resilience and build meaningful relationships with peers who understand their experiences. These partnerships allow us to host weekly programming and accessible mentor training at public recreation spaces where families already gather. By working collaboratively with parks and recreation, we help expand meaningful opportunities for youth to access structured mentoring programs, healthy outdoor activities and community-based learning environments. Golf becomes more than just a sport, it becomes a platform for personal growth, discipline and emotional well-being.
Our journey reflects the importance of starting small and building over time. What began as a vision by 11-year-old Carter Bonas, Sports Illustrated's 2022 Sports Kid of the Year, to mentor youth through the game of golf has steadily grown through community support, partnerships and the commitment of mentors who believe in the potential of every young person we serve. We are proud to celebrate military children who demonstrate remarkable resilience every day, and we remain committed to supporting their growth both on and off the course.
Dr. Thelma Tennie is the president of Carter’s Spectrum Golf.