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March II. 2009
Page A 7
S PORTS
Youth Golf Coach
Finds His Calling
continued
from Front
throughout the metro area
and Vancouver, creating a
diverse group ranging in age
from 8 to 22.
“ On the g o lf course
they’re equals," said Heard
of youth in the program ,
which meets at the Heron
Lakes Golf Course in north
Portland.
Heard explained that the
program stresses character
developm ent through the
game of golf and is open to
all students who can hold a
C average in school.
The golf clubs and acces­
sories used in the game are
provided for those who can’t
afford them , but if they
aren’t properly cared for, the
equipment will be quickly
yanked away, said Heard.
If students can hold a B
average, they also get free
golf lessons from profes­
sional golfers and access to
college scholarships.
Golf is a difficult game to
learn, as Heard can attest,
which helps youth learn the
value of hard work and dis­
cipline.
"You can do everything in
your power the best you can
do it and still get results you
don't w ant,” said Heard,
“and when that happens you
have a choice of how you
deal with it."
Heard said that in golf you
can go find the ball and take
another swing at it, which
isn’t too much different from
challenges youth encounter
in life.
He ex p lain ed how the
game builds confidence in
youth, showing them that if
they stick to a task and work
hard, the pay off will be im­
proved performance.
Heard loves to witness the
su ccesses his players
achieve.
"W hen a young person
can take a golf ball that's sit­
ting on a tee and not mov­
ing, and propel it into the air
in the direction they want it
to go, on the first time, you
get to observe the first look
on their face," he said.
Heard recalls the satisfac­
tion of watching a young man
in junior high grow up while
playing golf in First Tee
When the student started
the program , his clothes
sagged off his body, he wore
his hat crooked, he dabbled
with drugs and alcohol and
didn’t think much about col­
lege, Heard said. But after
the young man made a com­
m itm ent to the gam e, he
pulled up his pants, put his
hat on straight, and went on
to better things.
He also points to some
o u tstan d in g in d iv id u als,
such as Vincent Johnson, a
local youth who participated
in the First Tee and is now
on the Professional G olf
Association tour.
Heard’ personal journey in
the game was also arduous
and unexpected.
After a stint in the military
and with a few small busi­
ness start ups, he took a job
washing golf carts and haul­
ing bags. In 1997 he met
Robert Clark. Oregon's first
African-American elected to
the Professional G olfers'
Association.
H eard said th at C lark
acted as a mentor for him
and pointed out that his as­
pirations to golf profession­
ally could materialize if he
worked hard.
In 2001, Heard was work­
ing at a golf course when he
had a confrontation with a
custom er. He still hadn't
made it professionally, and
the nasty experience made
him want to throw in the
towel on his dream of golf­
ing for a living. He called
Clark to tell him his deci­
sion.
He said Clark told him to
hold on, and called him back
a few days later to offer him
the job of executive director
of the Portland Youth Golf
Association.
H eard was ev en tu ally
elected to the PGA in 2006
after demonstrating his play­
ing level, but is still with the
PYGA.
Congratulations to De La Salle North
Catholic High Knights on a Great Year
Donta Harris (upper left) o f De La Salle High School goes for a shot while playing against Knappa High School.
Royshad Curry (lower left) led the Knights in its game against Knappa Loggers, which the Knights lost 15-12.
Both players made the First Team League. Harris was made player of the year by the The Knights gained entry
into the OSAA 2A state basketball championships for the first time in school history.
March Madness Returns to Portland
After years o f hard work, March M ad­
ness is finally returning to Oregon.
On March 19 and 21 the NCAA Divi­
sion I M en's Basketball Championship will
return to Portland after a 34-year absence
and a 26-year absence from Oregon.
“Four years ago, we took on the chal­
lenge of eliminating the state’s sports lot-
tery with an unrelenting focus, knowing that
the end result would be incredibly mean­
ingful for the state," said Drew Mahalic,
CEO of the Oregon Sports Authority, in a
statement “And now that it’s finally a real­
ity, we couldn't be more proud and excited
to welcome the NCAAA M en’s Basketball
Championship back to Oregon."
The last tim e Portland hosted March
M adness was in 1975. UCLA won the re­
gional semifinal and final at M emorial
Coliseum before going on to win the na­
tional championship.
Oregon has not been able to host the tour­
nament because of the state lottery’s sports
action game.
Forbes
Wins
Steve Forbes (right) squares
off with Jason Davis (left) at
Spirit Mountain Casino and
Resort, which took place on
Forbes, who grew up in
Portland, won the fight after
12 grueling rounds continuing
his impressive career with 34
wins total to only 7 loses.
Forbes was featured on the
ESPN reality show The
Contender, where he made
an impressive showing.
N O W D E L IV E R IN G
Y o u r fa v o r ite n e ig h b o r h o o d g r o c e r y s to r e n o w d e liv e r s
g r o c e r ie s r ig h t to y o u r h o m e o r o ffic e .
Golf is Quincy Heard favorite pastime, but also his calling
as executive director of the Portland Youth Golf Associa­
tion.
w w w .n e w s e a s o n s m a r k e t.c o m
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