Mark Howard’s story in golf is seeded within the small metropolis of Mixco, Guatemala, the place he was born. Howard by no means knew his organic dad and mom, and perhaps by no means will.

However life had different plans for him.

It led Mark to a beautiful household and two superb dad and mom, Joe and Janna Howard, who adopted him at 7 months outdated, bringing Mark to Lexington, Kentucky, the place they’d elevate him.

“Im so fortunate to have such an unimaginable household,” says Howard. “From Day 1, theyve supported me in every little thing I do and are the No. 1 purpose I attempt to be my finest on a regular basis.  I actually do not know the place I might be with out them — they saved me, in a means, and I’m endlessly grateful for that.”

The place golf comes into the image is thru a particular bond Mark has fashioned along with his father. His dad launched him to the sport early on, and has emerged as one of many essential causes Mark loves the game a lot — a ardour he now pursues within the Jap Kentucky College (EKU) PGA Golf Administration program.

“A few of my most memorable moments are going out to the par-3 course close to our home with him,” says Howard. “I’ll always remember the reminiscences we shared there.”

What began as a enjoyable exercise along with his dad rapidly changed into a dream of changing into a PGA Skilled. 

Little did he know . . . that dream was not far out of attain.

Howard went on to play for his highschool golf workforce and competed in native junior occasions however it wasn’t till he started making use of for faculties that he discovered his calling.

For him, that was EKU — a university the place he might pursue a bachelor’s diploma but in addition learn to develop into a PGA Skilled by way of the varsitys PGA Golf Administration College Program.

At present Howard serves as EKU PGM Pupil Affiliation President, an achievement that his youthful self might need by no means thought potential. He’s additionally a 2022-23 PGA WORKS Golf Administration College Scholarship recipient and the primary scholar EKU has ever despatched to signify their college on the PGA WORKS Collegiate Championship.

Exterior of EKU, Mark was additionally chosen as a College Program scholar chief consultant to attend two PGA Annual Conferences and has skilled the ins and outs of the golf trade by way of paid internships at main championship venues, like Olympia Fields in Chicago and Valhalla Golf Membership in close by Louisville.

Reminiscing on his journey thus far, Howard remembers being a younger boy in Guatemala, who by no means thought being a PGA Skilled could be potential. 

Now, his dream has changed into a actuality.

“I’m actually proud to see how far I’ve come,” Howard provides. “I hope that my story serves as a reminder to everybody that irrespective of who you might be, or the place you got here from, the golf trade has a spot for you. I need to encourage others to observe their ardour for the sport, since you by no means know the place it might take you or how far you’ll go.

“Work exhausting, dream huge and, most significantly, by no means hand over on your self.”