In mid-February, as part of a Black History Month tribute, the PGA of America honored long-time golf supporter Reneé Fluker, in a video series called ‘Standouts: Black Women in Golf.’
Fluker founded the Midnight Golf Program 20 years ago and still oversees its great success as President, helping mostly inner-city teenagers advance their place in life via the game of golf.
Fluker oversees daily program operations and manages all phases of donor relations. Her evenings are spent mentoring 250 metro-Detroit high school seniors each week, with the help of other business professionals, alumni from the program – and from the golf side, PGA teaching pros who give of their time teaching the finer traits of golf. Not just the golf swing however, but also the traits of discipline, etiquette and respect for the rules. There is almost always a waiting list for teens wanting to join.
Since 2001, more than 2,500 students have progressed through the program, with 90 percent enrolling in college. Midnight Golf started with 17 students meeting at Franklin-Wright Settlements. Now it’s expanded to a 30-week curriculum that has helped hundreds of metro Detroit’s at-risk high school students enter college and various professional careers. Students learn about financial literacy, college readiness and community activism — while being exposed to the game of golf.
The PGA video can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/511199192
