Desmond L. Calloway
Born in Minneapolis, Desmond has been playing golf since the age 10. He attributes his discipline and eye for 'staying focused in his goals' to his mother Evangelist Sharon A. Calloway, along with his love for Christ Jesus. He was named after South African Bishop Desmond Mpilo Tutu winner of the 1984 Nobel Prize in Peace and realizes that he's already been marked for greatness. “I was introduced to the sport through the YMCA North Community Summer Adventure sponsored by the Fairway Foundation. The Fairway Foundation established a partnership with the YMCA lead by Mr. Ray Book to introduce inner city youth to the sport of golf.”
Affectionately called 'Master Desmond' because of his keen focus on 'mastering' his goals in life. He recalls how his interest was peaked for golf. “I signed up because I like trying new things. It wasn’t really fun to stay at the "Y". I caught on to the instructions very quickly – I was more of an advanced player -- just from my first time. Mr. Book encouraged me to continue in the foundation’s golf program and I was continuing to be tutored by a pro. One of my mentors named Mr. Chris Toftner turned out to be an instructor. Little did I know he was the golf coach at DeLaSalle High School and four years later, I would be a student there on his team.
Standing at 5-11, 155 pounds, Master Desmond smiles as he remembers golfing with Tiger Woods. “The most exciting thing for me was being selected to receive a private lesson from Tiger Woods during the 1999 Tiger Woods Foundation Golf Clinic in Minneapolis. They had chosen the more advanced students within the ‘Level 2 Program’.
Calloway
earned academic and minority scholarships to attend DeLaSalle
High School, listed in 2002 Who's Who in American High Schools,
and Kansas State University. He
is currently a junior at Kansas State University, Salina,
Kansas, majoring in Aviation Technology in the Professional Pilot
program (January 2006, received Private Pilot Certicate).
Although he dreams of winning the Masters "all
the time," he
also believes golf is his ticket in pursuing his
education at KSU's flight school. He set
his goals to become a pilot
and a PGA Tour player, in no particular order. He's become a pilot
certified to pilot a single engine plane. He remains focused
at attaining his advanced certifications to pilot larger
planes, while at the same time, steadily mastering his golf game.
As
one of the first youths to participate in The Fairway Foundation,
Master Desmond is now asked to talk to kids about the First Tee
program. He is an articulate and polished speaker and leader,
Master Desmond is a member of High
Praise Ministries The Destiny Center when home visiting,
and Living Word Of Christ Christian Center, Salina, KS while
away at school; he is a mentee,
host, and featured columnist for YiG
Showcase® Rising Stars (Youth
in Gospel),
a teen & college
level media/technology mentorship initiative of Grace Media Network
(GMN).
Master Desmond is the
co-founder of a Twin Cities’ golf event - “2002...one
of the reasons I’m so excited about our First Annual YiG
Celebrity Golf Invitational. This event allows me to
demonstrate my leadership, organizational and golf skills on
a different platform. YiG is doing this event to raise funds
for our scholarship recipients.”
“Look out Tiger – there’s a lion in the ruff."
Related
Headlines & Links
Watch for Desmond's Blog on GRACE Media Network
YiG Press Room
Local teens, media,
business and clergy claimed the gold, bronze and silver medal
at YiG First Annual Celebrity Golf Invitational (September 13,
2002)
Programs aim to introduce more kids to golf
The Fairway Foundation
Tiger Woods Official Site
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