FOUNDER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & GOLF COACH

Darryel R. Washington is an avid golfer, visionary and tenacious leader and a self-determined professional with a heart for youth and a passion for business. His business experience encompasses financial and strategic planning, sales and marketing. This includes the industries of radio, food and beverage, financial services, insurance, and telecommunications. A trained athlete and 15-year baseball player, his love of golf began in 2009 when he received his first set of golf clubs as a birthday gift. This led him to sign up for training at a local golf course and he has not stopped golfing since. Darryel views golf as a mental game that allows for mental accommodation and clarity. This also allows for numerous and excellent networking opportunities. Darryel also believes that golf provides an alternative to the current popular and traditional sports culture. Golf allows youth to connect with nature as well as develop athletic skills. These skills can be used towards a sport that can be played throughout their lifetime whether on an amateur or professional level.

MANAGING DIRECTOR & GOLF COACH

Leticia Barton was born in Charleston, South Carolina. She has lived in the Raleigh area since 2002. In her professional career, she works in Public Health and spent many years in research and development where she became an inventor of four U.S. Patents. She is passionate about improving quality of life through leadership in community service, innovation, mentoring and developing others. 

Leticia received golf instruction at Duke University. She joined Front and Back 9 Junior Golf Academy in 2018 and loves being involved in teaching and mentoring the new golfers in the program. She also enjoys providing direction and coordination of Front and Back 9’s programs and operations to ensure sustainability and growth. She makes the program accessible, fun, and creates a welcoming environment for all!

GOLF COACH

Kelsey is an accomplished healthcare leader with over 15 years of success in operational management, Lean Six Sigma, Robotics Process Automation (RPA), project management, and business process engineering. Known as an integrity-driven leader with a “let’s get it done” attitude, he excels at building and leading high-performing teams and managing complex initiatives with an eye for cost efficiency through Lean Six Sigma Green Belt methodology and RPA. As a senior business process consultant, he aligns C-level strategy with operational requirements, driving mission-critical projects on time, on target, and on budget. Outside of work, Kelsey has coached youth ages 5–16 in football, baseball, and basketball across school, travel, and recreational programs. He is committed to helping kids build confidence, develop life skills, and grow into productive citizens through sports.

GOLF COACH

A proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, he earned his undergraduate degree in Biology while competing as a Division I football player. He went on to complete his MBA at North Carolina Central University and has since built a 21-year career in medical sales. Beyond his professional success, he has been an avid golfer for more than a decade and a volunteer coach in youth sports for the past six years. Married and the father of two athletic young boys, he dedicates his time and energy to coaching their basketball and soccer teams. His greatest passion is mentoring young people and helping them grow into leaders through the vehicle of sports.

GOLF COACH

As a 2020 graduate of Saint Augustine’s University, he has over a year of professional experience working with the PGA of America and more than 14 years of playing and competing in golf. His journey in the sport has fueled his mission to expand access to golf for African American communities. With a focus on cultural growth, he is committed to using the game to create new opportunities and build bridges that inspire the next generation of players.