Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/366077
During my most recent golf getaway to Maui, I played my favourite sport every day at my favourite golf resort on the island—Ka'anapali Resort. People often ask me, why Ka'anapali when there are so many great courses on the island? And my answer is always the same, "I've been playing golf on Maui since 2007. Except for two smaller venues on the East Coast, I've played every course on the island many times, including two on Lana'i. I've even played courses that don't exist anymore. And although most of these courses are worth the price of admission, they lack something that greets me every time I get out of my car at the bag drop at Ka'anapali—the Aloha Spirit that lives within the people who work there." Let me introduce you to just one of them—PGA Director of Instruction, David Havens. When we first arrived at Ka'anapali last month, our games were pretty rusty; we'd played only a few rounds of golf in the last six months and were feeling less than confident on the first tee. So when David asked if we'd like to play with him and one of his students who was getting a lesson that day, I was thrilled and terrified at the same time. But feeling naked on the first tee didn't stop me from jumping at the chance to watch the 2013 Aloha Section PGA Teacher of the Year in action. It was one of the most enjoyable golf rounds I've ever played. David is all about staying positive and hav- ing fun on the golf course, starting with the rock and roll tunes he has blasting from his iPhone as we tee off. His playlist was perfect for swing- ing and singing and I couldn't have been more delighted when I stood up on the 13th tee and hit my drive to the sounds of my favourite song of all time—Stairway to Heaven. That was my 'come back tomorrow' shot! After the round was over, we joined David in Roy's Restaurant in the clubhouse for lunch and talked about his passion for golf and for giving back. A lot of golfers say they are committed to growing the game, but David is actually doing something about it through Spare for Change—a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization he launched in March, 2011. Spare for Change recycles second-hand golf clubs donated by generous players from all over the world, and puts them in the hands of kids and adults who want to learn, practise and play golf, but can't afford the expensive equipment that typically comes with the game. To date, over 8,000 golf clubs have been given to golfer wannabes—from toddlers to grandpar- ents in every state in the U.S. and many develop- ing countries. Kids start by getting one free club from Spare for Change; adults get three. And if David sees them actually use and practise with their clubs, he'll keep giving them more clubs until they have a full set. Spare for Change hosts two tournaments every year to help raise money and if you ever have the chance to play in one of them, jump at it! The Throwback is an invitation-only event where up to 20 players compete with vintage equipment—persimmon woods, blade golf clubs, 'new' balls from 1979-84 and metal spikes. How cool is that! Through hole sponsors, Spare for Change raised $2,900 this past April, which allowed David to donate money to the Aloha Section for their Junior Fundraiser, and support a member of Ka'anapali's Guest Services team in chasing his dream to the PGA. On June 14th David hosted 156 golfers at $100/player at the Ka'anapali Royal Course for the annual Spare for Change Fundraiser. Mulligans, gimmee-strings, throw-and-kick packs were all for sale as he looked to raise $10 -12 K. He also added a second flag to all of the greens so players had two putting options. I wish I could have played in that event; I'd have bought 100 feet of string so I would never have to putt on those immaculate, but very difficult grainy Bermuda greens. Today Spare for Change is about helping new players learn, practise, play and love the game by giving them free equipment, lessons and support, but David's vision goes much further. Last year, he launched the Spare for Change Scholarship Program, helping local golfers rep- resent Maui on their college golf teams on the mainland. Some day he hopes to expand Spare for Change to include soccer, basketball, base- ball, etc. He dreams of having warehouses all over the U.S. where kids from Boys and Girls Clubs can afford to shop for sports equipment. "My golfing life started in April 1984 when Petey Johnson, the pro and superintendent at Wytheville Golf Club, gave me a 1-iron from the lost-and-found to use as he taught me the game of golf," said David. "Through golf I earned a scholarship to Virginia Tech, won the qualifying school to play on the South African Tour, traveled to 50-plus countries, got married to my lovely wife Susan, who just delivered our first beautiful daughter, and I live and teach golf on Maui. I followed my dreams and had a successful golf career, so now I'm all about teaching the game and giving back through Spare for Change." So often we hear that golf is a sport for the rich and elite. It's refreshing to see someone start to break down that stereotype and grow the game by giving golf clubs to people who never dreamed of having an opportunity to learn and play the greatest game on earth. But David is also the first to say that he's had a lot of support along the way. "I couldn't possi- bly realize my vision for Spare for Change without the help of a lot of people who share my commit- ment and dedication to the cause. Ka'anapali Resort, and in particular, PGA General Manager Ed Kageyama, is extremely supportive, hosting and sponsoring Spare for Change events and allowing me to share what Spare for Change is all about with members and guests, introduce new ideas into our teaching programs to help grow people's love for the game, and donate clubs to deserving students at the academy." If you have clubs collecting dust in your base- ment or garage, how about giving them a sec- ond life with Spare for Change? I guarantee that those clubs will receive a lot more tender loving care from their new owners than you're giving to them right now. For more information on how you can help grow the game of golf, one club at a time, visit spareforchange.org. FROM THE FAIRWAY BY GAYLE MOSS (GOLFGAL.CA) Growing The Game Of Golf ONE CLUB AT A TIME INSIDE GOLF'S FAVOURITE GOLFGAL GAYLE MOSS AND SPARE FOR CHANGE GURU DAVID HAVENS 04(.,*9,+0;.(@3,46:: 52 INSIDE GOLF