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Eight metro Detroit country clubs team up for "Eagles for Children"

Posted at 5:28 PM, May 24, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-24 17:28:51-04

When you are out on the golf course, each swing of the club is an opportunity to get the bragging rights that come with a hole in one or an eagle.

“An eagle is two under par for a hole,” explained Brandon DiPaola, of the Western Golf & Country Club.

An eagle is also an opportunity to help children.

The Western Golf & Country Club is one of eight clubs in metro Detroit that are part of Eagles for Children.  It is a charity that started in 2012 at Oakland Hills Country Club. Now Walnut Creek Country Club, Pine Lake Country Club, Country Club of Detroit, Western Golf & Country Club, Red Run Country  Club, Meadowbrook Country Club and Birmingham Country Club take part.

Clubs that are part of the charity ask members to pledge to pay at least $2 for each eagle shot at the club’s golf course.  The money is donated to programs for children.

“Every time someone makes an eagle you hear, ‘One for the kids. One for the kids. So, there is some competition to see how many eagles guys can make,” said DiPaola.

At Thurston High School in Redford the charity is changing dreams. Because of Eagles for Children, the school where Eagles are the mascot now has technology, robots, and a 3D printer for students to learn on.

“It really has changed my outlook,” said Jaylen Bettis.

Bettis says after getting hands on experience he decided he wanted to work in engineering and sales.

“When I first got it (this class) I was like I shouldn’t have signed up for this class, but now being in it I am like, this is really fun and I do enjoy it,” said Bettis.

“Engineering is not something that they can’t do,” said Kate Poirier, STEAM Instructor and Robotics Coach at Thurston High of the message sent by the technology bought with the donations form Eagles for Children. “Engineering is something that they can do, and they will go on to study it, and make great careers.”