Feb. 15, 2012
AUBURN - The Auburn men's golf team believes in the need to give back to the community and there is no better way than inspiring youth to read. On two different occasions this week, the squad, which is coming off a big win at the UF Gator Invitational, read at Auburn's Early Education Center.
"We love having them come," said Erica Jones, a teacher at AEEC. "I've had someone come to my room for several years now, and it's always been a great experience because it's a good way for the kids to meet new people.
"We have always known the importance of supporting the community in which we live," said head coach Nick Clinard. "We try to do this as much as we can when our competition schedule allows it. The guys enjoy it and the kids look up to them."
The team divided up to cover the seven different classes of more than 140 children, reading two different books and giving out Orange P.R.I.D.E bracelets.
One class was fascinated by the Swedish accent of sophomore golfer Niclas Carlsson, which led to a Q&A and a European geography lesson.
"We love to hear how they got to where they are playing golf, what they studied, they learned, they practiced," Jones added. "Obviously this time was an extra treat because we got introduced to where (Niclas Carlsson) was from, which was not Auburn, which opens up a whole new world for the kids.
"There is a great need for male mentors coming to read," Jones commented. "That's just another advantage to (the men's golf team coming to read). We definitely look forward to it. The kids love it, and it's another way for us to meet someone outside of our small little world here."