Page 5 - 2016ReadersChoice

Sunday, July 31, 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards El Dorado NEWS-TIMES 5 NWoyes voted area’s favorite Non-Profit Volunteer
hen Art Noyes moved to 1997, helps shape the lives of kids and Union County from Hilton teens from all walks of life by introduc- Head, South Carolina, in ing them to values inherent in the game
2012, he brought with him a love of golf and a passion for teaching.
Those qualities became the KidsNGolf program, which is now in its fourth year here in El Dorado, and Noyes’ work with the non-profit group has led to him being voted the top 2016 Readers’ Choice Non-Profit Volunteer.
“I’m very pleased to hear it,” Noyes, 64, said. “It’s something I am very glad to hear and I think my coaches and board members will be glad to hear.”
KidsNGolf offers instruction in both the game of golf and life skills for chil- dren of ages 8 to 18, and the instruction is basically offered year round.
Earlier this month, there was a golf tournament and a weeklong workshop for the KidsNGolf program, and Noyes, sun-burned and sweaty after a day on the links in 101 degree temps, was still enthusiastic when talking about the program.
The KidsNGolf provides equipment, training and curriculum at little or no cost to area kids and their families.
Noyes, executive director of KidsNGolf, was involved with the First Tee program in Hilton Head and when he and his wife Catherine moved here in 2012 he wanted to start a local chap- ter of the First Tee program here.
The First Tee program, established in
of golf. Values like integrity, respect and perseverance.
However, when Noyes approached the national organization about start- ing a chapter of First Tee in El Dorado, he was told the program didn’t come to small towns.
Not to be deterred, Noyes created his own program, modeled on the First Tee program, so he could bring the lessons of golf to the youth of Union County.
KidsNGolf debuted in 2013, and about 200 local children have benefited from the program so far.
“We have some great coaches, and one of our most important has been Jimmy Howard,” Noyes said. “I can’t talk about KidsNGolf and not talk about Jimmy.”
Noyes said that Howard was a world class golfer in his 20s, but he never got a chance to go play at the college or professional level.
“He is a great coach, and he loves the kids and he loves golf, and he shares that passion.”
Howard has been teaching golf for 40 years, and the local tournament of champions hosted by KidsNGolf is named in Howard’s honor.
“I’ve lived in several places, but I have never lived in a small town until we moved to Norphlet, but we have truly embraced it,” Noyes said.
Terrance Armstard/News-Times
Non-profit Volunteer: Art Noyes was chosen the top non-profit volunteer in the 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards survey.
Teaching kids and playing golf are I also am the music director for the
two of his passions, but Noyes is equal- ly passionate about music.
“I was a professional musician, and
Norphlet United Methodist Church,” he said. “So I get to enjoy all three of my passions here.”
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