- After retiring from the classroom but continuing a remarkable 23-year career as the head girls golf coach at Minster High School, Debbie Ahrns has brought her teaching skills to a new program this year: Girls on Course. Ahrns has devoted her time and energy to creating new opportunities for young golfers, continuing a lifelong mission of growing the game and helping the next generation discover everything golf has to offer.

Ahrns' passion for junior golf has been shaped by decades of service through the game. Her experiences span organizations and initiatives including First Tee, Drive, Chip & Putt, Get a Girl Golfing, the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA), the South Florida Golf Association, and the Els Center for Autistic Excellence. She has also volunteered at some of golf's biggest events – including the U.S. Open, U.S. Women's Open, Presidents Cup, Champions Tour and Honda Classic – and has directed the Arrowhead Junior Camp for more than 30 years. Those experiences have reinforced her belief that golf is far more than a game; it is a vehicle for building confidence, creating lifelong relationships, and opening doors to opportunities that extend well beyond the golf course.

That philosophy is reflected in two programs Ahrns created to introduce children to the game. Tiny Tees, now in its sixth year, welcomes children aged 3 to 5 and provides them with real golf equipment while teaching the fundamentals of the game, golf course safety and proper etiquette. The program offers two six-week sessions each year – one in the summer and one in the fall – and will serve 10 young participants during the 2026 season.

This year also marks the debut of Girls on Course, a pilot program created in honor of Ahrns' late friend, Don Seyfried. Designed for girls in third through twelfth grade and without any age divisions, the program reached its enrollment cap of 35 participants almost immediately and has already established a waiting list. Meeting three times each week over six weeks, Girls on Course is about much more than developing a golf swing. Participants are encouraged to build confidence, develop leadership skills, form meaningful friendships, and strengthen their social and emotional well-being – all while learning a game that Ahrns hopes will stay with them for a lifetime. The program also aims to make golf more accessible for girls in rural farming communities who may not have been introduced to the sport otherwise.

For Ahrns, the greatest reward is simple: growing the game. She finds joy in watching young players gain confidence, whether they are learning the difference between a chip and a pitch or becoming comfortable on a golf course for the first time. Those seemingly small moments represent much larger victories, helping participants develop skills that extend beyond golf. Ahrns says, "Golf is a classroom, and life is the lesson." Her goal is for every participant to leave “carrying something more than their golf bag" – confidence, character, and life skills that will serve them long after the final putt drops.

Having worked alongside Hall of Famer Ernie Els and crossed paths with many of the game's greatest ambassadors, Ahrns reflects on her own journey with tremendous gratitude. Golf has provided her with unforgettable experiences and lifelong friendships, and she hopes to pass those same opportunities on to future generations. As she puts it, "If you have the fundamentals and understand the basics, you can play anywhere." Through Tiny Tees and Girls on Course, Debbie Ahrns continues to ensure that the game remains welcoming, inclusive, and accessible while inspiring young golfers to discover just how much golf can shape their lives both on and off the course.

Miami Valley Golf is a mission-driven 501 (c) 3 organization dedicated to uniting the community through foundational programs and initiatives. We support the game by providing handicapping services, course rating, and meaningful playing opportunities while championing philanthropic efforts like Youth on Course, High School Golf Stewardship, and Golf, My Future, My Game among many others. Our work focuses on advancing the game’s sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity, fostering wellness and community connection. As an Impact-First Charitable nonprofit, we are committed to transparency and ensuring golf’s enduring impact for current and future generations. For more, visit miamivalleygolf.org