tour champions Dilanni learned from at a CGF retreat were Scott
Stalling Webb Simpson.
“Without the professional golfers, our ministry would struggle,”
said CGF Executive Director Steve Burdick. “God gives professional
athletes a platform; these are their heroes or idols in their own minds.
They do it for the Glory of God because sharing the good news of
Christ is even more important.”
As a former college golfer, Burdick ran into his own struggles in his
faith and career. He played golf as a child and received scholarships
to play golf at Stanford University. There, he swung his way into
winning the NCAA National Championship with his team in 1994.
Tiger Woods became his teammate a year later.
One day, a youth pastor asked him, “If your success on the golf
course was taken away, what you’re striving for, would you still be
content in life?”
The pastor encouraged Burdick to spend some time with him
so he could tell the young golfer about what would truly give him
contentment in life.
“That really rocked my world,” said Burdick. “Recognizing that I
wasn’t perfect and no matter what I did on the golf course, He [God]
loved me unconditionally.”
After Burdick got into a slump, he got benched after his coach
told him that he could not take him to the national championship in
1995.
“It was really hard,” said Burdick, “but I went back to Proverbs
3:5 where it says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean
not on your own understanding.’ I get to share that testimony with
many young men that are struggling with successes or failures. Only
a relationship with Christ is where that is found.”
The ministry explains to the college golfers that even if they lose
a game, they have not lost their identity in Christ.
“The biggest things College Golf Fellowship has taught me is that
golf is something I do, but it’s not who I am,” said Dilanni. “I am
not defined by golf, and I’ll only get true fulfillment and happiness
in Him.”
According to Burdick, after a game, the golfer’s score is posted,
and it can become the basis for which the person determines his or
her value.
“It’s easy to get their identity and self-worth wrapped up in their
performance,” said Burdick. “We are a Christ-centered ministry. Our
desire is to come alongside golfers and answer the hard questions
like why we’re here and where we’re going. We give them a Biblical
worldview and communicate what a relationship with Christ is all
about.”
Part of growing in this relationship is knowing that God is reliable.
Even though the program has seen tremendous growth, the team still
faces obstacles.
“The largest challenge over the years has been fundraising
and having to trust God to provide,” said Burdick. “It is always
challenging, but it has been so amazing to see how God is faithful,
even above and beyond.”
Despite only having 18 staff members, CGF has reached many
campuses in a short time. According to CGF, There are over 1,200
college golf teams in the U.S., and it is their desire to one day have a
presence at each one.
“Our vision is to continue to grow and see parts of the country
like Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Seattle, San Francisco and
Chicago impacted more deeply,” said Kemp. “We envision doing
international mission trips and building global perspective for these
young men on building God’s kingdom.”
These athletes hope to continue to share their love for life, faith,
and golf all across America and beyond.
“For someone just looking into the game, I think it’s the greatest
game out there,” said Kemp. “A boy, 30-year-old and 80-year-old
can play. You can play it your whole life, go outside and see God’s
creation. There’s a great camaraderie.”
If you would like to learn more about supporting this non-profit
ministry, please visit http://collegegolffellowship.com/partner-withus/donate.
CGF Vision Packet
(click for full presentation)
VIDEO
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