A Day with Team Ironhead: Golf, Community, and Lasting Impressions

Recently, in Houston, I had the pleasure of being part of an incredible event with Team Ironhead of LIV Golf at the Memorial Hermann Golf Course. It was an experience that combined my passion for golf with a strong sense of community involvement—a perfect blend of fun, learning, and making a difference.

The event was more than just a golf clinic; it was about leaving a positive impact. Team Ironhead has this fantastic initiative where they "green up" local golf courses, ensuring they leave every city they visit in better shape than when they arrived. Their focus is particularly on courses in underrepresented communities, partnering with local members to foster a sense of pride and stewardship over these green spaces.

This clinic brought together roughly 50 kids, aged between 5 and 17. We started the day with an hour of cleanup at the golf course, and then we shifted gears to the main event—a golf clinic. The kids got hands-on experience working on their short game and even got to hit golf balls into a simulator on the Dryvebox. It was amazing to see how engaged they were, especially when they received direct instruction from Kevin Na, the captain of Team Iron Head.

For me, as someone who didn’t grow up playing golf, seeing these kids interact with a pro like Kevin Na was incredible. Watching Kevin and Jinichiro Kozuma, both talented golfers, connect with the kids and bring out their potential was inspiring.

There was one moment in particular that really stood out to me. One of the young players, eager but nervous, was the first to step up and take his shot in the simulator—a nerve-wracking experience for anyone, let alone a kid. He didn't quite hit the shots he wanted, and I could see the disappointment in his eyes as he walked away. I went over to him, and I felt compelled to let him know how impressed I was. I told him, “You were the first one to step up and take that shot in front of Kevin Na. That took guts.” In that moment, I couldn’t help but think about the kind of courage and leadership it takes to be the first to step up, and how I hope my own child will have that same drive in the future.

I took a picture with him and his dad, and I told his father how much I admired his son’s leadership. I truly hope that this young man continues to grow his love for the game, and I look forward to seeing him hit shots in front of Kevin Na again next year—maybe even sticking one inside five feet!

Another highlight was watching Jenny Shiro in action. Standing at about 5’3”, she was absolutely crushing the ball—both in distance and accuracy. I heard that he came back to Hermann Park the next day and quietly dominated the course. I got to watch him play in the tournament over the weekend, and I hope some of the kids from our event got to see him in action too. It proves that you don’t have to have God-given size to play professional golf, but you have to have the will and the desire to work hard

Overall, the event was a massive success. I received great feedback from parents, all of whom shared my excitement about continuing to build partnerships with fantastic people like Maulana and the team at Golf Academy at Blackhorse. These collaborations are vital—they inject energy into young kids, giving them exposure to the game and high-level players.

A huge thank you to Durwyn Williams with Drybebox and Drake Mosely—I couldn’t have done this event without them. And, of course, thank you to Team Ironhead, their general manager Kelli, and to Kevin and Jinichiro who helped put on such an excellent event. I’m already looking forward to the next one. Let's continue to ensure that when we leave spaces—especially green spaces like golf courses—we in better shape than when we arrived.

Chris Gandy