Contact Jerry Honza, PGA Executive Director at 409-719-3949 or via email at jhonz@pga.com.
Henry Durham and the Mayor of Port Arthur, Oscar Ortiz, cut the
ribbon for the Henry Durham Learning Center with the
help of some very excited participants and volunteers.
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In 2003, a group of local golfers got together to honor Henry Durham, an amateur champion and superb golfer who had helped to open up golf in our area to minorities in the mid-1950s. They formed the Henry Durham Academy, with the mission of providing a place to learn to play golf for those who might not otherwise get the chance to find out about this great game, with the emphasis on minorities and girls. Sadly, Henry passed away in 2006 but through the young people of The First Tee of the Golden Triangle, his legacy continues. |
These far-sighted individuals then partnered with the city of Port Arthur, Aquila Golf, which runs Babe Zaharias golf course and Bayou Din golf course, and the YMCA of Port Arthur to form a chapter of The First Tee.
The YMCA of Port Arthur is our major sponsor. Because the YMCA believes in our mission, the Y provides funding for a program director and our chapter headquarters are located on the YMCA grounds, in what we have proudly named the Henry Durham Learning Center. Plans are being made to build a three-hole practice facility on the grounds behind the YMCA, which will be called Henry’s Short Course.
The YMCA of Port Arthur supports The First Tee because our missions coincide. The YMCA has been "building strong kids, strong families and strong communities" in Port Arthur for over 100 years. The First Tee of the Golden Triangle is proud to have the YMCA as our "parent" organization.
