If you ask Nick Duffield what the highlight of his summer has been, you might expect him to tell you about the final-round 63 he shot to win the AJGA Natural Resource Partners Bluegrass Junior. For the average junior golfer, that kind of victory would be a defining moment in their young life. But Duffield is not the average junior golfer, and it's tough for on-course achievements to match his character.
When many other junior golfers would be reveling in their success, Duffield was preparing for something he says is far more profound. Just two days after winning the first AJGA event in which he had ever competed, Duffield, a 16-year-old from Chesapeake, Ohio, took off for Nicaragua with his church’s mission group. For one week, he and 45 other members of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church helped to repair and improve a local orphanage. Duffield helped construct playgrounds and bike roads, distributed clothes and shoes, and even played soccer with the kids.
Although the purpose of the trip was to help children in need, his work with the orphanage has helped him gain perspective on his own life.
“It really shows you how blessed we are,” says Duffield. “These kids were so excited just to get sandals.”
While the mission’s physical impact can be seen in the roads and structures they helped to create, the value of Duffield’s experience extended far beyond any building. He was given the opportunity to participate in a baptism in a pool near the dorms where he was staying, solidifying his spiritual connection to the orphanage and to the small South American community.
Though he is only going to be a junior in high school, Duffield recognizes the intrinsic worth of his efforts. When asked if his first AJGA victory could compare to his first mission experience, Duffield answered without hesitation.
“Golf is just for fun,” he says. “The trip was more rewarding.”
Duffield now faces the seemingly less-daunting task of competing in a full schedule of AJGA and PGA Jr. Series events, but he feels more relaxed and ready to meet challenges. He will apply many of the lessons he learned on the mission to the mental aspect of his golf game.
“I just get to go out there and have fun.” he says. “I realize how lucky I am.”
– Matt Bernstein
When many other junior golfers would be reveling in their success, Duffield was preparing for something he says is far more profound. Just two days after winning the first AJGA event in which he had ever competed, Duffield, a 16-year-old from Chesapeake, Ohio, took off for Nicaragua with his church’s mission group. For one week, he and 45 other members of the Fifth Avenue Baptist Church helped to repair and improve a local orphanage. Duffield helped construct playgrounds and bike roads, distributed clothes and shoes, and even played soccer with the kids.
Although the purpose of the trip was to help children in need, his work with the orphanage has helped him gain perspective on his own life.
“It really shows you how blessed we are,” says Duffield. “These kids were so excited just to get sandals.”
While the mission’s physical impact can be seen in the roads and structures they helped to create, the value of Duffield’s experience extended far beyond any building. He was given the opportunity to participate in a baptism in a pool near the dorms where he was staying, solidifying his spiritual connection to the orphanage and to the small South American community.
Though he is only going to be a junior in high school, Duffield recognizes the intrinsic worth of his efforts. When asked if his first AJGA victory could compare to his first mission experience, Duffield answered without hesitation.
“Golf is just for fun,” he says. “The trip was more rewarding.”
Duffield now faces the seemingly less-daunting task of competing in a full schedule of AJGA and PGA Jr. Series events, but he feels more relaxed and ready to meet challenges. He will apply many of the lessons he learned on the mission to the mental aspect of his golf game.
“I just get to go out there and have fun.” he says. “I realize how lucky I am.”
– Matt Bernstein