J. Frank White Academy (JFWA) is giving students a new opportunity to develop their skills on the course and beyond with the launch of a golf team and golf club under the leadership of art instructor and accomplished golfer Sherry Moore.
The golf club introduces students in grades three through six to the sport, while the golf team gives students through 12th grade an opportunity to develop their game and compete against teams throughout the Tri-State area.
Moore said growing interest among JFWA students helped inspire the return of the golf program. Her goal is to help students build a strong foundation in golf fundamentals, etiquette and course management while encouraging a lifelong enjoyment of the game.
Introduced to golf at age 7 by her father, teaching professional Shannon Evans, Moore competed in regional junior tournaments and played varsity golf in high school. She later played at Longwood College, where her team won a National Golf Coaches Association national championship and she earned All-American honors twice.
“What excites me most is the opportunity to share the lifelong lessons from my own golf journey, the very experiences that helped shape the person I am today,” Moore said.
Students are already embracing the opportunity to practice, play and improve alongside their classmates.
“I enjoy golf so much that I joined,” student Zeke Snodderly said. “I love going to the range every Tuesday and playing a few holes.”
For Zander Shepherd, the program builds on a family connection to the sport.
“I joined golf because I’ve played with my dad my whole life,” Shepherd said. “I wanted to play golf with my friends, but I also want to learn to play better.”
Raegan Smith saw the program as an opportunity to improve her game while taking on a new challenge.
“I joined the golf program because I wanted to get better at golf and try something new,” Smith said. “So far, I’ve enjoyed getting to play and improve my skills.”
Student Logan Bailey said his love for the game inspired him to participate and that he has enjoyed playing alongside his classmates.
Beyond developing their golf skills, Moore hopes students will learn lessons that carry over into other areas of their lives.
“Through this golf program, students will cultivate vital life skills, including resilience, honesty, integrity, focus, discipline, sportsmanship and accountability,” Moore said. “Ultimately, mastering these traits allows our students to grow both on and off the golf course.”
The golf club provides younger students with an introduction to the sport and an opportunity to develop skills that can prepare them to participate on the competitive team as they advance through JFWA.
J. Frank White Academy is a private, college preparatory day school serving grades Pre-K through 12 on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University. JFWA is fully accredited and STEM certified by Cognia, the first internationally recognized mark of quality for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) schools and programs, signaling the growing emphasis on STEM education by educators, politicians and business leaders around the world. For more information contact JFWA at 423.869.6234 or visit our website at https://www.LMUnet.edu/JFWA/.
