PHILADELPHIA – Explorers For Life, in partnership with the La Salle Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), teamed up with the Smilow | Woodland TGR Learning Lab and James Logan Elementary School for a landmark Golf For Life event at Cobbs Creek Golf Course earlier this month.
La Salle became the first collegiate athletics department to partner with Smilow | Woodland TGR Learning Lab at Cobbs Creek Golf Course in West Philadelphia. The TGR Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by golf legend Tiger Woods and operates two current TGR Learning Lab locations directly associated with golf courses in the United States.
Cobbs Creek Golf Course is steeped in history for serving as the primary home course during the teenage years of golf pioneer Charlie Sifford, who broke the color barrier on the PGA Tour in 1961 after the organization officially lifted its"Caucasian-only" membership clause.
"I want to thank Mr. Eli Prosper and everyone at Logan Elementary for being such great partners and helping bring this idea to life, said Jarett Gerald, Vice President of Athletics & Recreation. "It's really special that La Salle is the first collegiate athletic department to partner with the TGR Learning Lab for programming like this, and I'm proud of our student-athletes for helping make this opportunity a reality."
"As a former student-athlete, I know how much athletics can shape your life and open doors you may not have imagined," Gerald said. "I'm grateful for the opportunities it gave me, and it's exciting to see our student-athletes now having the chance to share that with the students at Logan. There's something powerful about seeing someone who looks like you, shares a similar experience, or has walked a path you can imagine yourself following. It's great that we get to introduce these students to golf, but more importantly, we get to encourage them to dream big and help them see that college can be part of their future. That's what being an Explorer is all about: using the opportunities we've been given to make a difference for someone else."
Through its partnership with TGR Foundation, La Salle helped bring that vision to life by connecting students with opportunities that extend far beyond the golf course. By combining hands-on learning with mentorship and exposure to higher education, the program reflects La Salle's commitment to making a meaningful impact in the community and empowering the next generation.
"Teaching the game of golf opens a world of possibilities for our students while fostering confidence, focus, patience, integrity, & perseverance, said TGR Golf Professional Danielle Dalessandro. "Here at the TGR Learning Lab, we are proud to provide a comprehensive experience that goes beyond the course, combining golf instruction, STEAM education, and career & college readiness to empower students with the skills they need to succeed both on and off the course."
Kayla Bock, La Salle's Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Success, leads Explorers For Life, La Salle's commitment to lifelong success for student-athletes on the field, in the classroom, and beyond.
Bock works closely with student-athletes in La Salle SAAC to tailor programming, mentorship, and engagement with La Salle alumni and community partners, including an extensive partnership with the staff and students at Logan and the relationship with the TGR Learning Lab to help bring this event to fruition.
"The Golf For Life event started with an award as La Salle Athletics was being recognized as an Outstanding Community Partner by Community Schools Philadelphia, and I was asked to accept it on our behalf at a ceremony hosted at the TGR Learning Lab," Bock said.
"While I was at the award ceremony with Eli, he started telling me the history of Cobbs Creek and Charlie Sifford, and a lightbulb went off in my head," Bock said. "I connected with Caroline Robinson and Stefanie Bingham, who lead youth programming at the TGR Learning Lab, and that's how the foundation for this event was built."
At the event, Logan Elementary School students honed their golf skills by immersing themselves in the sport through three sessions: the putting green, a golf simulator, and an informative classroom session about the history of Cobbs Creek, Sifford, and the Evans Scholar Foundation, led by the TGR Learning Lab staff, with support from Alzberta Nei (North Philly native & Penn State chapter scholar).
"Logan students are avid learners!" said Prosper, Logan's community school coordinator. "They jumped right in, asked questions, and tried their best. It brought me joy to watch them affirm, support, and try new things together. It affirms our culture as a community."
The Evans Scholarship helps make a college education possible for students who have demonstrated commitment and perseverance through golf caddying. Established by the Western Golf Association and Evans Scholars Foundation, the program covers tuition and housing for eligible students who demonstrate academic success, financial need, and strong personal character.
Mentoring the next generation proved to be deeply rewarding for both La Salle golf teams and coaches. The impactful event went far beyond teaching the basics of golf; it created a great experience and lasting memories for both the student-athletes and the Logan students.
"In an age where it truly takes a village to raise a child, I'm proud that La Salle is a part of our village," Prosper said. "The mentorship, energy, and thoughtfulness of this partnership enrich the experiences our students have. As our students grow old and debrief their experiences, their time with La Salle will be something they remember forever."
For the Logan Elementary students, the experience was absolutely unforgettable and deeply transformative. Stepping onto the course alongside TGR Learning Lab professionals and La Salle's student-athletes gave the young students a unique chance to discover a completely new sport while learning foundational values.
"Days like today create a holistic environment for our students, which continues to inspire them to come to school and be open to new experiences," Prosper said. "Experiences like these enrich our culture as a school and create a sense of pride that a district school can offer an experience comparable to those in a suburb. Our students loved leaving the school, but they enjoyed learning something new with their friends even more."
Bock and the La Salle SAAC members believe that collegiate athletics creates a powerful platform for student-athletes to serve as role models, demonstrating the profound impact of giving back to their community through athletics and mentorship. Engaging with the younger generation allows La Salle's 23 athletic programs to build deep community connections, using the excitement of sports to inspire future generations to stay active and strive for success.
"Golf For Life was about showing young students that there is a path to higher education, and the game of golf can help get them there," Bock said. "They are the next generation, and our student-athletes at La Salle are the spark that makes them believe they can be next."
