Making Golf Belong to Everyone | Collins Oppong, Beyond Seasons Golf Tournament #054

Hey everyone, it's Karissa from Shining Light on Minnesota. Super excited. I have Collins Oppong here. Welcome, Collins. Thank you so very much, Karissa. I really appreciate this invitation. Yes. So, we kind of brought you out last minute. Yes. You have a super exciting event coming out September 6th. Let's tell everybody about Beyond Seasons Golf tournament. Yeah. So, Beyond Seasons Golf tournament, uh, it started off four years ago. Uh, what started off as a birthday gathering of golf, uh, with my friends. Mh. So I invited like 16 of them and then 16 more showed up and I'm like okay I don't know these guys. So and I'm like guys I know you are here not because it's my birthday you are here because it's golf. So I realized that it's something bigger than my birthday. And one of the gentlemen who attended the event said uh you know we can actually make this bigger if we put in some sponsorship. So he volunteered to sponsor the second event. And uh we actually decided now to move away from it being my birthday celebration to becoming a golf tournament celebrating golf especially within the immigrant and black community as well as our partners and friends. So yeah, that's what we've been doing uh since uh four years ago and this will be our fourth year. When is your birthday? It's got to be close to it somewhat. Yeah, my birthday was is October 28th. Nice. So actually the the first year we had to actually do it two weeks before because it was going to get cold. Yes. So we did the first one October 15th. Y and uh we realized that you know what uh now let's let's actually move it further. So we we actually do the tournament mostly either August uh ending of August or early September. 28th is my son's birthday. So that's a great day. Perfect day. That's awesome. That's awesome. Yes. So you're doing it to raise money for children and it's also to get those children into the game of golf. Yes. Yes. Yes. So there there's two there's two there's two part to that where uh we considered based on an organization my wife started called circle of life uh that we could actually use this tournament even though we are celebrating golf and awarding prizes also raise some funds. Yes. to support circle of life that is in the education and provision of sanitary part to young girls who need like you mentioned. So that is one part we will do. The second part is that when the families and young girls and women come and especially people who otherwise haven't thought about playing golf come around we have a program called first timers golf that introduce them to the game. I realized it's important because when I started the game I started without taking lessons and I realized that was the most the most even when you do it's like oh my gosh like I could lose it every day and it's so uh so now we have a program where uh we work with uh three rivers uh park and a coach to actually take these uh new people through golf lessons. Well, it's amazing because there's so many people out there that don't have opportunities and don't have the whereabouts to or know how to get into the game of golf and golf is a lifelong sport. Absolutely. From the mental game to the preparation to just the network and the nature and everything about it. Yeah. Yeah. I I I I could never have imagined my life without golf. Like uh for the very short time I've been in the game, the kind of connections I've built, the kind of things I've even get to know about my own self, realizing myself on the golf course every day, the things I need to work on, my temperament, my uh emotions and dealing with different people at different times. Yes. And uh I feel everybody needs that opportunity to get to know golf and actually get involved. It's kind of like in a way it's like your own therapy too. You could have a great day in the office and the golf game is not going to be that way. Or vice versa. You could have a really day really bad day in the office and you hit that amazing shot or you have the best round of your life and it brings you back. Right. Absolutely. It's it's it's such an evolving roller coaster experience for me. I'm learning a lot about my game. You know, I'm a high handicap guy, but I know I could be better until a few holes just mess up everything. And I realized that, okay, I still have some work to do. You got to let the one shot go. And I think that's the hardest thing for a lot of people. You hit that shot and it's like drags onto the hole, then the next hole, and then the nine, and then the 18 until you can realize that, hey, that that's just a shot. And be able to mentally let that go. I mean, it is 100% a mental game, right? You see the pros like Scotty Shuffler that could get arrested and come back and play and win a tournament. Oh my goodness, it was like a movie to me, right? Or Tommy Fleetwood that just won. You know, you just don't know. You don't know what it is until you actually get there and get to play. But there are kids and people out there that can't afford it either. And it is an expensive sport, but to give them the opportunities to actually put that club in their hand and play like a Tony, you know, like many kids that just will go in their garage and hit against the mattress or go out in their yard and just hit whipple whiffle balls, whatever it is. Yes. No, no, I think Yeah. So, uh, and again, um, that's why we do what we do, trying to let people know that yes, there could be the cost element, but we can also help you by removing that aspect from it. So for example, I think the 3M the 3M open has some very exciting programs for children through the Minnesota I think the first te the first those are really great programs that I feel it's only when people come to us or we go to them and tell them about it that they can take advantage of these things. I mean yeah golf can be expensive. Yesterday, for example, I played at the Michael Floyd Make a Difference Invitational and and when I was telling my wife, okay, I had to pay this amount to play, she's like, is it worth it? Is it not too expensive? But the connections. Yes. And then I took her there, she she was there for 2 hours and she went home and she's like, "Can I come back?" I said, "Okay, come back." So, she came back and when we were driving home, I'm I was like, "Do you still think it was expensive or it was worth it?" She said, It was actually worth it the value because yes, she came, she saw the people, the connections, everything that was ongoing and we realized that no, it's it's a great thing to do. Well, I think one of those things like as a female too, like growing up in in the world, like even if you don't play, you're not a great player. Getting out in nature, just being out there like being able to spend time with nature or with the people you're with and having a good time and having that connection, just being able to have time with yourself because it is an individual sport. It's not a team sport. It's about improving yourself and improving your game. Yes. And doing the grind, just getting out there on the range and putting in the time. It's not something that you're magically going to be good at. Indeed. And people don't realize that it's it's the long hours spent. Yeah. On the range, on the tea, on the putting green, everywhere. Yes. Yeah. No, it's it's especially uh for my children, uh with my wife and I, we have two children. Uh so Nyla, who is three, every time I take her anything close to the golf course, she she's so much herself. She's so excited to be around running, jumping, swinging. And actually on on Sunday there was an event um the play professionals they had an event. We did the gathering on the green and she was like a star. She she was happy to be there because we dress her of course like a golfer and then everybody was happy to talk to her. So that's why actually I'm telling people that you don't necessarily have to go to the golf course to play golf. Nope, you don't. Just show up at an event. just show up at a golf place and keep it fun. Yeah. Buy, send the kids there, buy ice cream for them, walk around, let them do the drive, trip and putt or just go to the putting green and like with my kids, I mean, even just having like little competitions like, "Okay, let's see if you can make the three putts and six strokes or let's, you know, see if you can chip and then do two putts or let's go out to the driving range and, you know, have like I'm going to call the shots. See if you can fade it. See if you can do this." You know, just make it fun. Make it make it light. Yes. Yes. But at the same time, you're beginning to golf. You can't just go out and play all the time, too. You have to put in the practice. You have to get the lessons. You have to put in the time like everything else. You're not going to be a natural at it. No. No. Yeah. Especially if you have a long-term goal, which I believe should be the thing for everyone that know you are in this for the long haul. And to do that, you're taking lessons is a really great thing because then you enjoy the game better. You understand what you are doing. Well, I think like everything in life, you have to have goals, too. I mean, I've played the sport for 40 years and I'm good, as of this year, I'm totally revamping my swing 100% in the middle of the season. I don't know why, but it's one of those things that you do. Like, I could do it off seasonason, but I'm completely changing everything. And you keep doing it to improve, to get hit the ball farther, to change things up, to keep up with everybody else's swing. I guess it's one of those things, right? No, no, it's it's it's a good thing because really, it's also saying that you admit where you have a shot for. You admit where you need to make changes. And I think that's fantastic. like yeah I'm still learning like I told you I didn't start with lessons so then four years after being the game now I had to unlearn a lot of things for example I was coming over the top a lot I have to be intentional about coming more in and then bending more over my so it's it's a whole lot of different things going on and sometimes you can't get it all right in the in the round but then it could get better with time what did you think about the game before you played ated. Did you think it was absolutely crazy that people were hitting a little white ball around or did you think, "Hey, this is something that I could enjoy. I mean, seeing like obviously the Tiger Woods out there, the Jonathan Vegas, seeing like VJ sing, I mean, all the people out there like they're doing it, but why are they doing it? Like what is the point of this sport? It's it's crazy, right?" Yeah, it's crazy. So, I remember when I was in Ghana, where I'm originally from, uh my friends Yeah. they used to go to the golf course, take photos, and then uh publish a golf newspaper, which I thought was brilliant. I'm like, "Yes, okay." They said they they kept asking me and they said, "You know what? Just come around. Uh there's free food." I'm like, "Oh, okay. Okay, there you go. You got me at the food. We're good." Yep. So then I I started showing up and uh networking and taking pictures and I realized the people were cool with me. And one of the guys, the pro, I think Vincent took out the times like, "Hey, Collins, come. Can you swing?" And I said, "No, this is not for me. This is this is strange. This is complex." Like it was it's always uncomfortable no matter what you do. Like this is not natural. I was I was so resisting it in a such a manner. It was they were like, "No, no, calm down. Calm down." I'm like, "No, no, no. I'm just here to take the pictures. I'm here to for the drinks." And so, no, even in Ghana, I never had the courage. So, now when I try to talk to people who probably start and then they don't know whether to continue, I'm like, I can understand you. They get discouraged. Yes, I can understand you, but you have to give yourself grace and time. So, yeah. At the time, I didn't think this was for me. No. until and nobody does. Right. Indeed. Indeed. Until I got into it and now I can't get out. It it's it's an addiction. It really is. Like I have been playing all my life and I did take some time off when I had my kids and then I met my boyfriend and he thought it was the craziest, right, unacceptable sport in the world. He's a big racer and he's like thought it was just insane that people are watching this little white ball watching it on TV playing it and I'm like well guess what? I'm playing it. So, I'm going to be out there. If you want to play, you're going to you're going to learn. It is what it is, you know? And now he's more addicted than I am. You know, he's taking the lessons, doing the time, like doing everything. And it's like, all right, I'm going to go home and cook dinner. He's like, I'm out at the course. I'm like, all right, then I'm coming out. Forget the dinner. Let's Let's go play. Let's go play. And then you can always buy food from the clubhouse. So, uh, no. Um, I I love the addiction. So, yeah. When people say it's not for them, I tell them give yourself time. Don't ever write off golf. Like golf could be your next biggest thing, right? Yeah. There's so many different aspects to it. I mean, when you look at it, it can be a team sport. I mean, you look at the live stuff. You look at they have a team behind them. They have the physical aspect. They have the sports management, they have the coaches, they have the mental aspect, they have all the different teams behind them because without a team, they're not going to be where they are today either. I mean even the the gym aspect everything about it it is it is a team sport but it still is individual because you have to go out there and you have to improve yourself every day and show yourself that you are capable. No. Yeah. I I think sometimes we we we need to give ourel grace because indeed like the pros the way you mentioned it they have a whole team helping them with everything. For example, if I'm on the golf course and there is something that distracts me I have nothing to rely on, right? I'm like okay what do I do? And like I said, I'm a high handicap, so I could be hitting really good shots on two holes, making pars or whatever, and then the next one, maybe somebody talks in my in my swing and that takes me like that completely takes me off and I could mess up the next or the cart person coming around the corner. I mean, it's just one of those things like Yep. So yeah, uh we don't have that uh resources and things to really manage this situation. So actually one of the things that probably I'm going to talk to you about is is there way we can provide resources for amateurs even if it's uh podcast like this that is G and I think there was actually a podcast here that was talking about psychology of the game. Absolutely. I think I think we need to we need to let it let every am see it and because we we need that to really nurture our mind especially I mean there's so many different aspects. So, the psychology of the mind is one of the biggest things when you're out there. If you're playing golf, you're picking up the golf club for the first time. You hit that bad shot, you can't just rage quit. You can't be done. You can't have an eight or a 10 or a 12 on a hole and think, I'm giving up. You've got to just stick with it. You've got to get to a point where you're like, "That was a bad shot, but guess what? Oh well." Yeah. On to the next. Or get to a point where like, I know I can do better than that. you know, get that confidence where it is confidence. It's it's almost like a cockiness like I know I'm better than that. Let's prove it to myselfdeed that I can put the next one closer and then do it. You know, it's I think it's it's a it's a very good mental tool to work with because really it's it's 18 hole game. So obviously uh a few holes shouldn't really uh mess up the whole plan. And the aspect when you get older, no matter who you are, the business that can be done out on a golf course, whether you're who you are, when you're out there talking golf, you start talking business. You can talk anything that's out there. I mean, it's not really closing deals, but you're building relationships. And golf is about relationships as well. You're starting to see people and know people, and then you start talking, what do you do? like who are you and by the time you know it they are going to call you looking for work or looking for whatever it is that they're looking for as well. Indeed. Yeah. I told people like you build trust on the golf course. The person who uh sponsors the golf tournament uh yeah it was through the through golf like and it's it's such an incredible experience. For example, yesterday playing and meeting all these people and talking to them right away one one of them heard about our project. He's like, "Oh, I have tons of things you can auction out for for for circle of life." So, uh, I only taught people that, hey, give yourself the chance, get into the game, learn, uh, build your relationship skills, and the world is yours to to capture. Yep. I mean, it's also about integrity. Like, there's so many golf tournaments that you play in too, where people are out there just to have their name at the top and to win and do things the right the not right way. It's like at what level if you're doing business or whatever you're at do you want your name at the top if you're not doing it the right way you know so it's people are watching you so people forget that they are being watched like you said yeah I know friends that I play with and sometimes yeah that's that's all they care to to do so even uh yeah if if they want to yeah I mean in those scrambles like I can hit the ball quite a long ways if I'm out there and I see someone that's beating me and they're hitting the ball maybe 50 or 100 50 or 200 yards. I'm like, "Let's go out and play then. Let's let's hit the driving range and we'll see." Indeed, you know, I'll let you take it. You can have the prize and I'm not worried about that. But if you're going to take it couple drinks in, go ahead, have it. You know, I think authenticity is is a great thing. And and for me, yeah, I don't think people want to play with me or maybe people want to hang around with me because I'm the best. No, I don't I'm not really good. I think they watch beyond that. They watch how I treat others. Did they watch how um I'm talking to others, how sincere I am with my scores. And obviously, yes, if there's something I need to clarify, I'll clarify with whoever I have to. But I I don't intentionally and because I know people who intentionally try to distract others, for example. Absolutely. Like, why are you doing that? Because yeah, I'm going to call you out. Like, what what's Yeah. Somebody's going to make a putt and you're going to quick drop something or make a noise or cough or or try to whisper into somebody's ears while you're trying to start the card or Yep. Right. Yeah. Yeah. So, no, and I think it's a good thing you brought up because others are watching these things. So, you they may have done that to score or be on the first of the leaderboard, but others think, okay, you are not a sincere person. You are not authentic. And and there's always somebody else watching. You never know what kid's watching that or somebody younger or somebody else that's growing up that wants to play and wants to know the rules. Mhm. When I learned this is going to age me, but before we were even out on the golf course, we had to get the rule book and we were tested on the rule book and we had to know every single rule in that rule book before we were even allowed to go out on the golf course. And that was one of those things that I am proud to know that we had to learn it that way. You know, it's No, I think it's a good thing. And actually I think if it gets to a point where maybe the USGA has to make sure that whoever start to play at least an 18 or academic course has to almost pass a tutorial or something like a training a 20 minute 1 hour whatever training because it's very important like um it's it has a farreaching effect. For example, you say if you're playing with kids, they're picking up habits from you because they feel you're doing they could do it. But if people are learning the right way, I think it's the right safety, too. I mean, there's enough kids out there and young adults and adults in general that are not doing things safe like hitting the ball where they shouldn't be and swinging when there's people behind them and taking golf carts into sand traps and just all the other things that you know, you know, better than that. Like, come on. No, no. I think Yeah. Especially after co I know a lot of people are getting into the game but we should also find a way to maintain the sanity right of the game because for many of us that is our safe spot like for many people especially I know of single mothers that I introduced the game to that is where they go to find some solace and the least they want to do is people probably arguing or people throwing tantrums or running the cards where they shouldn't do so yeah I think um we need to all help to keep the sanity of the game I think the other part that I think I can't quite get past yet are when people bring little babies or infants out there just because it's the whole I don't know where people's golf balls are going to go and if they hit those little kids out there it's it's not so much where mine's going to go but you not everybody knows where their golf ball is going to go. So having those little kids out there running around not not little but like the infant size yes they're infants you know like I think people people can do better judgment with that especially because at day it's your child you want to protect them at all times. I love the fact that there's little kids out there playing and have their golf clubs and getting out there on the course, but when they can't walk and talk yet, that's that's a little different story. So, your golf tournament's raising money. Yes. Let's talk a little bit about you and your history. You grew up and tell them about like your history and where you went to school and kind of what what brought you here. Oh, yeah. So, I yeah, I grew up mostly in Ghana. Actually, I left Ghana when I was 30 years. So uh I've I've lived in Ghana almost all my life and then uh about 11 years ago I was I was fortunate enough to travel through the US visa lottery system. So uh my friend uh who I was in college with back in Ghana uh the now Cape Coast Technical University. Uh he was here 4 years and he's like uh okay I mean it's it's a cool place but hey it get very very cold so it's your choice. I'm like, "Oh, yeah. I'm going to be here Minnesota for two years." Yeah. And then I decided the next step, but obviously the two years came and then another two and then before I know it was 10 years. So, no. Yeah. I I came here um got married 5 years ago. Um yes, my education background is in business administration. I'm hoping to now I think I have to master in a in a project that is golf related. I'm still thinking about it. But yeah, um I settled down with my wife. Uh between us we have two children, Nyla and Malachi. And before I married I had two two children. So there's Elsie who is in Ghana. She also be joining us uh next month. Yeah. She she's moving to the United States. And my son Kaden. Uh my wife is Yeah. Kaden. My son's name is Kaden as well. So when you said his birthday is the one on the 28th. So when you're like and then it says Kaden. That's why like I stopped. I'm like okay there's ties here now. There's Yeah. Yes. Yes. That's interesting. That's awesome. Yeah. So yeah. Um other than that um I I'm a very simple person in terms of uh how I approach things. I I try to do the easy things to to be happy to get along. Uh I'm a people person like I I try to interact meet new people every time. Uh connect with people uh and I have a business uh providing marketing media services. So when I came in our service I'm like okay okay we can tie some of this in. I got this. I understand this. Yeah. Yes indeed. But yeah, I I love everything that you're doing here and um I'm in a space where I'm trying to uh use what I have to to help others uh in terms of building connections for them, networking and even sometimes just referral just uh helping also uh events, people, organizations do the things that they do uh so that I can use my expertise to help them achieve their best results. Who have been some of your mentors along the way that have really helped you get into where you're at today? Uh mentors? Yes. um my dad who who has passed but obviously what I learned from him is simplicity to approach uh so um and also learning hard work and just not being too hard on yourself. So I think on on that side that that's what what I learned from um on on a general level um I will I will talk about sometimes my pastors uh in in church especially now um I'm with River Valley and uh always listening and uh being part of small groups and things like that there are leaders there that I'm I'm learning a lot from. And also on the golf on the golf level um Rari like yes I I like Rory too. He's one of my favorites. Yes. Yeah. People don't get him all the time, but I'm like I think Yeah. I relate to him in many ways. I like his tenacity. I like how he approaches the game. I like his passion for for the game. And how outspoken he can be. So yeah, all these people kind of shape my my views in life. Yeah. If you could change one thing about the game of golf, what would you change? Uh if if I could change one thing, um I I think it would be having to hit from a devot that you didn't create. I I I feel it's it's it's not the best. It's like people are supposed to uh repair their divots. So if they did not and my ball is sometimes it's about one or two inches and it's tough. I feel Yeah. I feel it's it's it's not because it's supposed to be a game of fairness, right? So, I think if if they could do something about that, uh if you get a club length from things that you did not put on the course, then yeah, I get it. Indeed, especially for amateurs, for example, we're playing last week with a group and it's like, "No, we have to play from that." I'm like, but he could hurt his wrist just by doing it. And he's like, "Okay, then he can take a stroke." I'm like, "Why does he need to take a stroke for something, right?" Yeah. And he's on the fairway. It's not like even in the in the rap. So, no, I think that would be one of the things. And secondly, uh allowing the space for people to have their moment before they hit a shot. Yes. So people should stand as far away as possible. People should refrain from anything conversation when people are trying to imagine and hit this this I don't know. But I feel those are two things that are very personal to me. What do you think when you started the game of golf, what was important to you to get to where you are today? Do you think it was more the practice time? Do you think it was more training and getting out of the course a little bit of both or just jumping in and playing like some of the bigger more difficult courses or everything? I think at at the start it was more like making contact. Yeah. So in my mind, okay, let me make contact. Then I realized that there was more to that. So I think eventually it became um ju just being in tune with what I'm trying to do and uh uh being being very present with every shot. Y so and that's even where I think I am now where any time I realize I'm even slightly out of focus in my mind I get things wrong like it could be anything at all. So yeah, I think it's it's a good space where I find myself now trying to sit back and look and see, okay, how can I really work on this? But yeah, which is kind of important because that's everyday in life too. Everybody has to kind of put the phones down, be in the moment, take a second and like reset, rightdeed. So no matter what you're doing, you have to refocus and get take a moment and just be be present. Absolutely. What do you think's upcoming for your kids in the golf game? know what do you think you see in the future with a game of golf? Uh for well for my kids in particular would be um getting them to love the game as much as possible. I mean having a lot of golf balls around the house where they can have touch and feel it. Uh getting them to swing, getting them to watch golf uh uh golf on TV and all of that. Um, and I think that beyond everything, beyond the fact that I want them to learn at a younger age, it's also to help them cultivate the the habit that comes with it, right? Promptness, the habit of showing up, the habit of being ready, the habit of uh learning to wait for your turn, the habit of patience, the habit of temperance. So all all of these are some of the things and I think for the future of golf um as as far as now we are opening up golf for everybody. the regularity does not necessarily take away from what golf really means. I think one of the things that really drew me into the game back in the day which um was also difficult um probably was I played a lot of team sports when I grew up. I had brothers was always thrown into their stuff. Um, but the fact that you could do it alone, like I always was out there playing with a lot of people, but I enjoyed playing golf alone, too. Taking the time, like if you knew you hit a bad shot, being able to play two or three balls into the green, seeing the different ways that the green would break. Yes. And nobody likes to do that these days. Everybody wants to play make sure you have a foresome and go out there. I'm like, no, I just want to go out there and play by myself and enjoy like be able to play two balls and see how they break or do different things like that. And then on the same hand, if I'm out there and I see, and you can ask anybody on this, if I see like a turtle crossing, I'll probably take a picture of the turtle crossing. It's just one of those things that you do. Like it's just it's just who I am. I love those. I think that's the one reason why I don't always like to ride. I like to walk so that I I can yesterday, for example, when we're playing some holes, I'm like, "No, I want to feel the the You're more in the moment when you walk. You can find your ball more." Like I pace it out more. You play a lot better. But it's just being more in the moment, too. Yeah. Yeah, more in the moment. And like you said, I think it's it's such a great way to to really uh get into the moment, learn the game, even by yourself because I I have no problem at all calling and say you're the only one. I'm like, "Yeah, I'm okay. I I want to walk. I want to I want to I want to just enjoy it. Take a moment, enjoy the breeze, take pictures." Because there's more to go than necessarily making the score. So, and that's what I feel it's good for everybody to connect with. I like the fact that they're changing the way that they're doing it with the T- boxes, too. You play to your ability, not just, hey, this is juniors, this is men's, this is women's, this is seniors. You do have to play to your ability. And if you want to try to step it up and play a T- back, you can certainly do that. But it is important to play to your ability. Absolutely. Because people are different. I mean, the fact that people may be of the same age, the same height, whatever, they are different in their perspective. Uh I I I don't think there should be that strict rule as to okay we always have to start from whatever if people because it doesn't even matter like I've seen people who are the same handicap one will play from black one will play from blue and the black man doesn't necessarily win or whatever. So I think people have to do things that are more in tune with their ability. Well and I think to kind of go off of that I don't know how many times people say hey you know you're not playing from the red te's. I'm like, "Just watch me play." Like, I do know and I'm doing it because the red are too easy. Like, it's just one of those it's not a challenge. I like hitting the my longer irons. I have a two iron. I like playing, you know, some of those longer shots and I just want to do it. And they're like, "Well, you know that that's late." I'm like, "Not anymore. You play to your ability, right?" Like, you're trying to like make the game a little bit more difficult. And speaking of more difficult, the golf balls have changed. Yeah, that's what I I'm learning. Yes. They're they're not spinning the same. and they're changing a little bit. What do you think about the golf clubs and the golf balls changing? I I I think I think probably overall it's it's good for the game because I I think probably they are looking at it retropress okay looking at it from the time back where they didn't have all these technology improvements and all of that. So I think to really keep up a certain level of challenge in the game. I think anything to not make the game overly easy, right, is is probably a welcoming thing. But then of course it has to be done in a way that it doesn't also put too much strain on people trying to uh enjoy and make make good score or whatever they want to do. Yeah. I think everybody's ability is their ability and it it's all about the time that they put into it. You know, it's kind of one of those you want to improve, you put in the time. It's Yes. So yeah, that that that's there's not one person in the world, I don't care if you're Tiger Woods or who you are, that's going to be a complete natural from the beginning. Indeed. Indeed. Yeah. One of the guys I introduced to the game uh recently uh yeah, I see he's doing well and I'm like, "Yeah, you you your time you put it in is is paying off." I said, "Wow, I understand why you guys told me you don't play golf four times in a season and feel you are you can't expect and you can't get golf clubs every single season and play only three times and expect to be shooting par or even 90 like it's not going to happen." Right. So, no. Yeah. I think putting in the time, learning more about your game and observing your shortfalls and challenges as well as your strength are very important. Yeah. So, work-wise, you've been busy. What have been some obstacles that you've come across in the marketing world and where you're at today and just in the promotion world? Uh yeah, I think uh some of the challenges uh uh you know with the insurgence of AI and everything people people think ah I think I can do this. I think I can. So there's always that back and forth but obviously they always come back because they realize that okay it's not the same. Even with AI somebody has to actually have the ability to use it. Yes. So u no I think that that's one of the challenges otherwise everything is evolving and we are using different means to solving problems for our clients right uh because then again because there's so much proliferation of um media attention and everything uh there's there's too many options and uh the human I think attention is focused on too many things so uh if too many choices make it simple right yeah if print is not working let's try electronic if electronic is is not working. Let's try email marketing, whatever means that we we can. So, yeah, I think we are we are just learning day and day what's how best we can be serving our clients. Yes, absolutely. I think that's that's the name of the game. You've got to know your clients. Yes. And you've got to know what they want because you can't just say here's here's everything pick from it because they're going to get overwhelmed and just be done. Indeed. Indeed. When you talk about your kids, you talk about your wife, the circle of life. How long has that been around for? Uh I think uh I would say for three years. Yes. So uh after our first tournament uh so we introduced I think she opened it um she started organization just have run the second uh uh tournament. So yeah it's been around for three years and uh so far we've done at least four major uh donations. They all happened in Ghana where we identified schools and uh provided sanitary parts that supplied at least 6 months of supplies to them. Nice. So yeah now we have and do you know the specific schools that you're supplying them to or is it okay yes yeah so so we have we have people like family and friends who uh yeah at least for two of the schools I I know that because I attended one of the schools yes so it's it's going to places that you know and people that you know that are dispersing not just some organization that you hope it's going to No no no yeah yeah we we have uh personal contacts and they go there uh we they show videos they do they actually do do a whole assembly of the the students so And they just don't even just give it out. They they give them education. Wonderful. About how to use it and the the need for for for sanitary and again for for safe usage of all of that. So yeah, uh we are very connected on that personal level as well. How big was your golf tournament last year and how how well did it go and where was it located at? Yeah, so the last year we did at Apple Valley uh uh Valleywood Golf Course. Uh yeah, we we had 52 players played. Yeah. Which which was good for us. And then we have about we had about 10 volunteers. We had community people also come by. We had vendors and everything. So yeah, it's on that scale of things. It was pretty successful. Uh this year uh it looks like we will get up to about 70 players. Amazing. Yeah. Because as of today we are like almost 60 registered and we are looking for at least because people are calling that hey yeah we saw you on TV and we want to do this. So we we are opening up for for that as well. Uh the other focus is to get a community and families there and we are doing it at Brookview uh which uh Brookview golf course which has a lawn um bowling lawn bowling. Yeah. Which is great. So I'm like hey Golden Valley. Yes. Yes. So and there's also the the kids play playground area. So what we asking families to do is that I mean just come check it out. Just bring the families out. Yes. Make it a whole familyfriendly fun. Enjoy it. Whilst the golfers are playing, you can hang around. If you want to take lessons, you can do that. If not, take golf balls, do the lawn bowling, just bring everybody out. Yes, indeed. There'll be music. There's going to be a lot of food. And uh yeah, food is a reason to just come in itself, right? Yes, indeed. So, yeah, that's how we planning this year to continue to attract the community and families to be part of it. And hopefully we can get people who want to start a game from there. Amazing. I don't think our viewers know and if if they don't they need to know how much time goes into putting a golf tournament on or an event on period right oh my goodness especially golf it's because every detail matters yes every detail matters even with with pairing everything of course if some events you can you plan for 100 people you don't care who is who they just showed up but for golf uh yeah every every every detail matters working with vendors getting your souvenirs getting the golf course everything. Yeah. So hopefully uh as as we do this, we would we would continue to earn the trust of people to continue to uh support and even sponsor us to a level where we can even hire more people for sure and getting the processes down. It'll start getting easier and flow more and people will start knowing their lanes like okay this is easy now we can start not easy but easier and start getting things things things going more. Absolutely. How can people get in touch and how can people register and how can they find out more about the event on 6th at Brookview? Indeed. Indeed. So yes uh the way to connect uh is to uh visit we have a Facebook event page uh which is Beyond Seasons Golf tournament. So if you go there you can get all the information otherwise you can go on our website which is bsg.beyondmediasolutions.net. So it's actually our business website but then we added a landing page. So when we start with bsg.byondmediasolutions.net, you're going to get all the information that you need. You can sign up. You can look at uh packages that we have especially for partners and sponsors. But if you just want to show up and play, you can also sign up and do that. Uh you can actually call me on my direct number 9522886574 or you can send me an email on Collins beyondgmail.com and we'll be be very glad to share every information that you need so that you can join us on this big day and your work how can they get a hold of you there and what tell them a little bit more about getting a hold of you. Indeed. Indeed. So as far as work is concerned uh if if you need anything especially um in marketing wise uh to to build your your business to help people reach you uh marketing activations or anything from developing websites anything that you feel would you needed help to kind of project your company more you can always reach us on our website beyondmediasolutions.net and we'll be very glad to help you. Lots of beyond that's that's the goal. It's very easy to get a hold of himdeed. Uh so we will have this out before your golf tournament for sure. It'll go out in our newsletter as well. We really appreciate having you on. Can't wait to hear about the golf tournament. Absolutely. And hopefully be a part of it next year. Indeed. Indeed. We love to have you around. We'll be giving you updates as to how the day goes on September 6th. But the community excited. Good anticipated because our trophies are in, our banners, everything are in. Yeah. And then the food and the family, everybody out there. It's going to be a great time. Indeed. Yes. And his golf can't go wrong. Thank you so much. Thank you so much, Karissa. I appreciate the space. We appreciate having you here. Absolutely. Thank you. Yep. [Music]