On August 22, the World Evangelical Center (WEC) hosted Swinging with Spirit 2025, an annual youth golf event, at Harlem Valley Golf Club. Initiated last year, this event has now entered its second year, becoming a growing annual tradition shared between WEC, the town of Poughkeepsie, and the local Dover town community.
Nearly 100 people participated, including youth players, young professional golf mentors, town leadership committee members, volunteers, and visitors.
The day began with registration, followed by an opening prayer from WEC General Secretary, Pastor Marian Rebro, who also gave a brief introduction about WEC and the vision behind the tournament. The program then continued with remarks from Former County Executive Bill O’Neal, a core committee member of the event; New York State Assemblyman Anil Beephan, Jr., representing the 105th Assembly District; Glenn Marchi, Commissioner and Chief Information Officer of Orange County, also a core committee member; and Pat Sullivan, a PGA Golf Professional who played a key role in recruiting the young professional golf mentors.
The morning session featured group lessons divided into three parts: swinging, chipping, and putting. With three PGA golf professionals and sixteen young professional mentors present, this year’s system of training was noticeably more structured and effective. Children learned in small groups and through some individual coaching, enjoying hands-on instruction in the basics of the game.
In the afternoon, participants engaged in a scramble-format tournament, designed to make the game more enjoyable and less intimidating for first-time learners. With over a dozen golf carts dedicated to the event, the tournament ran smoothly and allowed everyone to focus on the fun of the game.
Adding a deeper spiritual dimension, each hole was marked with a Bible verse sign. This allowed mentors to briefly share gospel-centered lessons with their young teams, planting seeds of faith and offering opportunities for the next generation to hear about Jesus Christ.
WEC leadership gives thanks to the Lord for granting a day filled with grace—from the beautiful weather, to the smooth preparation and operation, and the blessed fellowship at every step. This event held special meaning in working closely with town leadership, deepening relationships not only as partners in community service but also as friends in Christ.