Harlem Heights kids tee off at Gulf Harbour Country Club in Fort Myers

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—Two neighborhoods joined together through the game of golf.

Children in Lee County's Harlem Heights community connected with the Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club.

WINK News sports reporter Lauren Halpern shares how a day on the course looks to make a lasting impact.

Miguel is one of 10 children from the Harlem Heights community who are spending a day just minutes away at the Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club. From fresh donuts and new hats to hopping on golf carts, learning how the greens are cared for, and taking his best swing, the 8-year-old said he's getting better at it.

"I'm getting better at it," Miguel said.

The day didn't happen by accident. It started with a founding member of Gulf Harbour who volunteers with The Heights Foundation.

"The fact that the children could have an experience that they normally wouldn't have that's in their neighborhood nearby, and hopefully inspire them to have opportunities for fun, for a career, for maybe a scholarship, and something that they could share with their families," Debbe Weaver said.

Gulf Harbour embraced the idea, opening its doors for lessons from PGA professionals and a look at life on the course. Lonnie Eberhard, chief operating officer at Gulf Harbour Yacht & Country Club, said it's something they may or may not ever be exposed to in their lives, so it's important that they're having fun.

As for the mission at The Heights Foundation, the lesson goes far beyond golf.

"These kids are going to remember this for their entire lives, and we actually had a handful of kids that said that they want to be in the golf industry when they get older," Annie Campbell said.

Campbell serves as development director at The Heights Foundation. The day brought together two communities through sport, creating memories and opening doors to new possibilities for the children involved.