Wilmington mayor hopes golf tournament can instill better values

Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams believes there are lessons to be learned through golf. He believes inner city youth should learn those lessons. So, the city is creating its first Mayor’s cup in the hopes that more will take up the sport.

Mayor Williams and Professional Golfer Earl Cooper paid visit to Prestige Academy for Boys, where they announced the 2013 Mayor’s Cup Golf Tournament.

Cooper was born and raised in Delaware attending A.I. Dupont High school and Wilmington University before transferring to Morehouse College in Georgia. Cooper at age 24 is the first African American All-State Golfer in Delaware history and has recently joined the PGA tour.

Cooper addressed a small group of students sharing his journey to the PGA tour and what it was like growing up in Wilmington. Cooper told the students to “dream big because dreams do come true.” Cooper then shared a few pages of one of his other talents. He has written a children’s book entitled Hello Maroon Tiger inspired by his Alma mater Morehouse College. He said the book focuses on the 5 principals taught to him on the way young men should possess in life.

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Cooper picked up a golf club for the first time when he was 6 thanks to First Tee Delaware. First Tee Delaware is a program designed to introduce golf to kids and teens that otherwise would not be exposed to the game of golf and its positive values.

Mayor Williams told the students answering many of their questions. One student asked Williams why he became mayor. Williams said “I have always felt obligated to take care of people who couldn’t take care of themselves.” Williams went on to call Cooper a “shinning star” and a great example of the talent that the city posses.

Cooper encouraged the students to find their passion telling them “When you love something you’re not looking at your watch.”

The tournament will take place Wednesday, September 18th at Rock Manor Golf Course. 

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