WCN TRANSMEDIA SPORTS SHOWCASE: "TEENS ON THE GREEN" CEO RENNY ROKER

WCN TRANSMEDIA SPORTS SHOWCASE: "TEENS ON THE GREEN" CEO RENNY ROKER

WCN TRANSMEDIA GROUP Recognizes Renny Roker for years of incredible work with Teens on the Green.  We identify Teens on the Green as a breakout opportunity for Brand Managers considering a time tested brand which rewards kids for good grades.

I have personally played in a Teens on the Green Tournment at one of Florida's Finest Clubs several years ago.  While the economy has drastically hurt sports and music programs in schools, WCN seeks to highlight the achievements of this organization.  Success leaves clues and the Transmedia Opportunity should not be missed. Can a Transmedia Brandcasting Strategy for Teens on the Green help reconnect the purity of the game after certain scandals.  The next generation of International Teen Golfers want to know.  Let me be a bit clearer every major sports brand looking to understand how Transmedia Story telling can lift a generation watch this video then get ahold of Renny Roker CEO Teens on the Green Foundation.

[Source: Carlos Alberto Scolari; Transmedia Storytelling: Implicit Behaviors, Narrative Worlds, and Branding in Contemporary Media Production; University of Vic Catalunya, Spain]

Check out this video and examine the Transmedia Story Opportunities for your brand.

ABOUT US

Organization History

“Where High Grades and Low Scores Really Count”

The Teens on the Green Foundation (TOGF) was founded in 1999 by Mr. Renny Roker, a visionary and youth advocate. In response to concerns by the U. S. Professional Golf Association (PGA) regarding the 90% dropout rate among minority junior golfers in the sport, the world’s first junior golf program providing college scholarships to teens was created. Mr. Roker discovered the high minority drop out rate was due to a lack of available professional instruction, access to quality facilities, and economics. A test case of top under-privileged golfers in the Miami area (ages 12 – 17) with grades of C+ or better, and handicaps of 12 and under, were given free instruction, at the Jim McLean School at the Doral 
Country Club in Florida, play and practice time on professional golf courses, and entry into qualifying events.  They went on to compete in the World Championship which was televised on BET. Immediately following that event TOGF was integrated to include all ethnic backgrounds in the world.

Half or more of Black, Hispanic and Native American youth in the USA are getting left behind before high school graduation (Civil Rights Project at Harvard and The Urban Institute). By contrast, junior golfers finish high school with the discipline of golf being critical in their success. Upon completion of high school many students’ dreams for college are thwarted by the high cost of a college education. Believing in quality education for all youth, and higher education as a means to reaching ones’ full potential, Roker developed a program with high academic grades as the prerequisite and low golf scores the motivator. TOGF’s motto is, “Where High Grades and Low Scores Really Count.” We take you “From Tee To Degree”.

Now in its 11th year, more than 400 junior golfers have received college scholarships and golfers from all 50 states and 72 countries participate in tournaments. Recently the 7th visit to Thailand to participate in the Mercedes Trophy Junior Golf Championship was just made. Coordinated events included the World Champion Series, sponsored by major corporations with events televised world-wide. Other qualifying events and trips by US TOGF members include Africa, South American, Europe, Canada, Caribbean and Asian nations.

WHAT IS TEENS ON THE GREEN?

An international junior golf program dedicated to providing opportunities to youngsters around the world to earn scholarships to college, to receive an understanding, respect, and awareness of other cultures, and to broaden their life’s ambitions to a global level.  Teens On The Green was founded in January 2000 at the request of the PGA Of America who asked Renny Roker (Founder) to submit information on how to eliminate the 90% drop out rate in golf with Hispanic & African Americans with “C” averages in school or better and 12 handicaps and lower. Within 6 months of existence Teens On The Green was opened to youngsters of All Colors, and all financial levels as the drop-out was not just with minorities but widespread. Now many events feature those that fly in with their own planes and those domestic youngsters that can barely afford travel, entry fees, equipment, lessons, etc.

WHO ARE THESE YOUNGSTERS?

The Teens On The Green youngsters are some of the best junior golfers in the world, and some of the most educated youngsters in the world with a minimum grade point average of 3.0, and golf handicap average of 2.5. They are representatives of every ethnic background, religion, race, and language, with a desire to achieve. They are the future corporate, medical, and professional leaders of the world. In many cases they will more than likely do business with each other internationally for many years.

HOW ARE THEY CHOSEN?

In each state in the U.S. and each country in the world the top male and female from those states and countries are selected to represent their country and state. Exemptions are provided in the U.S. for certain youngsters that possess the education and golfing ability to perform on this level but did not have the finances to compete on a regular basis.

HOW ARE FUTURE PARTICIPANTS PREPARED?

The Teens On The Green Academies throughout the U.S. provides affordable lessons and play at various courses in their respective cities and states with instruction given by top PGA teach pros. As many as 10 golf courses from Country Clubs to Municipal courses are provided based on the skill levels of each youngster. The better the skill and grades, the more courses are available. Beginners practice at local private and/or municipal courses only.

HOW ARE FUTURE PARTICIPANTS SELECTED

Working with local junior golf programs in every ethnic community, and individuals that contact us via our website, youngsters are provided the opportunity to train at the Teens On The Green approved Academy Courses. Each course has a maximum number of youngsters allowed in order to maintain quality lessons for youngsters on all levels.

WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL SELECTION PROCESS?

Youngsters that display a desire to attend college are provided an opportunity to come to a TOG city, live with a family of their countries origin, that speak both English (fluently) and the language of their country. These youngsters may attend a private or public school of their choice (based on financial ability). They will attend the Teens On The Green Academies, and prepare on the education category for college scholarships, as a foreign student.

WHAT IS THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM?

With the assistance of existing learning centers, and retired educators from organizations like AARP, Teens On The Green provides opportunities for foreign and domestic students to receive tutoring in subjects where assistance is needed. In the case of foreign students requiring better English Language skills, tutoring is provided on an on-going scheduled basis. Advanced students, plus all juniors and seniors in high school will participate in “Mock” SAT and other college exams, necessary to obtain scholarships. In addition all students will be instructed as to what requirements need to be achieved prior to scholarship selection.

WHAT ARE THE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES?

All members of Teens On The Green with 12 golf handicaps and lower, plus 3.0 GPA’s or better are eligible for travel to competitions in 72 countries. All 72 countries are invited to travel to all TOG events domestic and international.  All 72 plus Countries host a qualifier and or series of qualifiers to determine the best candidates to compete in the Teens On The Green World Championship. In some cases Countries utilize existing events as their qualifiers.

  

WHY SHOULD ANYONE SPONSOR TEENS ON THE GREEN?

Teens On The Green provides a sponsor with the following:

1. Local, regional, national and international exposure.
2. An international future executive pool
3. Competition with youngsters whose scores, abilities, and intelligence are closer to par with professionals than any other sports.
4. With present and future consumers that will always be able to afford their product.
5. A loyal consumer that can and will communicate sponsors virtues to family, friends, and associates.
6. A worldwide TV, print, internet, website exposure

WHO ARE THE SCHOLARS/GOLFER AWARD RECIPIENTS?

Every State, every country, provides Teens On The Green with the youngster with the highest grade point average, and lowest golf score average (handicap), those youngsters are the “Scholar/Golfer” of their respective locations, and most wanted by college coaches. TOG selects the youngsters (male & female) worldwide from this group and they are the International “Scholar/Golfer” Award recipients.

WHAT HAS TEENS ON THE GREEN ACCOMPLISHED?

Since our beginning Teens On The Green has assisted more than 300 multi-ethnic youngsters to earn scholarships to college at colleges and universities throughout the U.S., including the First African American at Stanford since Tiger Woods, students at Harvard, MIT, UCLA, USC, U of Arizona, almost every historical Black College and many more colleges and universities at no cost to any student. Our assistance is comprised of writing profiles, tutoring, SAT mock exams, calls to coaches, and education departments and much more.

THE TEENS ON THE GREENS FOUNDATION

GOLF & EDUCATION ACADEMY

In 2010 Teens On The Green intends to open our first International Golf & Education Academy. With one of the top four Golf instructors in the World, and top International College Preparatory school plus a Famous designer top Golf course we will create the last step towards providing some of the best opportunities for youngsters of every ethnic background.