The Remarkable Story of SwingPals: Using the Game of Golf and Heartmath® to Impact Students
Since its founding in 2012, SwingPals has positively impacted more than ten thousand Durham public school students. Behind this transformative initiative is Doug Hodges, who has dedicated thousands of hours of his life to serving underserved and vulnerable families.
When asked about his motivation, Hodges speaks from personal experience:
"I know what it’s like to grow up lacking opportunity. Today, I’m grateful to make a difference in the lives of children who often face marginalization."
Hodges’ journey began in 1980 when he arrived in the United States with $100 in his pocket and no job. Starting with menial tasks like painting and bookkeeping, he eventually carved out a successful career trading crude oil on the New York Commodities Exchange. Despite his success, he found himself increasingly disillusioned by work that conflicted with his core values.
A turning point came through his involvement with Big Brothers Big Sisters, where he mentored two boys from childhood to adulthood. This experience profoundly shaped Hodges’ commitment to mentoring and serving others, ultimately planting the seeds for SwingPals. By the age of 50, after completing his second Big Brother mentorship, Hodges launched SwingPals as his "birthday gift to himself."
The Birth of SwingPals
SwingPals was established with a clear mission: to use golf as a medium to connect children facing adversity with caring adults. The program initially focused on matching mentors with children from the Big Brothers Big Sisters waitlist but soon evolved into a school-based initiative. Today, SwingPals operates in 6 of the 9 middle schools across Durham, presently serving 1400+ sixth graders annually with aspirations to expand to all nine public middle schools in the area.
The program targets middle schools with high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches and those struggling academically.
These metrics often correlate with financial insecurity and increased risks of poverty, unemployment, and other socio-economic challenges. Through SwingPals, these children are offered a safe, supportive environment where they can explore their potential and build resilience.
Transformative Programming
SwingPals is not just about golf; it’s about fostering social, emotional, and mindfulness skills in students. The program provides a safe physical and emotional space, complete with designated circles for each child. Instead of traditional instruction, SwingPals emphasizes guidance and emotional regulation.
Key to this effort is the partnership with HeartMath, which equips students with its emWave® Pro technology, the Inner Balance™ wired sensors and the Smart Brain Wise Heart® program to help students develop greater self-awareness and resilience.