Santonio Holmes continues quest for golfing excellence and giving back
Santonio Holmes, former NFL player and Super Bowl XLIII MVP, has embarked on a quest for golfing excellence while giving back to the community. Holmes' journey in golf began with a discouraging experience in his teenage years when he and his uncle created a makeshift golf hole in their backyard. However, the lack of diversity and inspiration in the sport during that time led him to focus on football. It was not until after his retirement from the NFL in 2017 that Holmes started taking golf seriously.
Holmes was introduced to golf by NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, but he is mainly self-taught and has never received formal lessons. Initially struggling to keep his scores in the 130s, Holmes persevered and eventually achieved a career-low score of 78 at the Arizona Biltmore Golf Club within five years. His dedication to improving his game and his admiration for the sport's challenges and the passion displayed by golfers drove him to become more confident and proficient on the course.
Currently holding a handicap of 9 or 10, Holmes enjoys playing from the tips, relishing the challenge it presents. He approaches golf with the same analytical mindset he had in football, constantly analyzing his mistakes and seeking ways to improve. Holmes has had the opportunity to observe professional golfers up close, such as Brandon Wu and Harry Higgs, and he has been impressed by their consistency and routines in approaching the game.
In addition to his pursuit of golfing excellence, Holmes has embraced the philanthropic side of the sport. Through his foundation, 10 ALL IN, he hosted a golf tournament during the Super Bowl to raise funds for causes he is passionate about: promoting STEAM education, mental health awareness, and diversity and inclusion. Holmes is actively involved in providing opportunities for young people, particularly in his hometown of Belle Glade, Florida. Through partnerships with the South Florida section of the PGA of America, Holmes supports the golf teams at Glades Central Community High School, helping to grow participation from three students to 17 in just three years. Furthermore, Holmes and 10 ALL IN organize Golf & STEAM Summer Camps, where golf instruction is provided by PGA section volunteers and STEAM projects are designed by Pratt & Whitney employees.
Holmes is enthusiastic about the impact of his foundation on the community and emphasizes the transformative potential of golf in young people's lives. He believes that by introducing them to the sport and providing them with access to the necessary tools, they can forge connections and opportunities that go beyond mere television watching. Holmes is already making plans to expand his foundation's activities and continue giving back, with a golf tournament scheduled for Las Vegas in the coming year.
In summary, Santonio Holmes' quest for golfing excellence has become a means for him to give back to the community. From his initial struggles with golf to achieving personal milestones, Holmes has found the sport to be remarkable and challenging in ways that football never was. Through his foundation, he is actively involved in promoting education, mental health, and diversity while using golf as a platform for positive change. Holmes aims to inspire young people, particularly in his hometown, by providing them with opportunities to learn and grow through the game of golf.
