If you’ve been around golf for more than 10 minutes, you’ve probably heard discussions about “growing the game.” Most golfers embrace this concept, which aims to introduce golf to those who typically lack access or the financial means to play. While many opinions exist on how to expand the game’s base, very few people take the time, invest the effort and commit to creating change like Jesh Arnold.
Arnold, 34, moved to Rwanda from neighboring Uganda 12 years ago. When he speaks about growing the game of golf, he does not just give lip service to the idea; he actively lives it out daily. Two years ago, he founded the Ubuntu Golf Initiative in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, to introduce the game to local children through secondary schools.
“Ubuntu” is an ancient African term that, in Arnold’s words, “embodies the spirit of community, shared humanity, and mutual support, emphasizing that individual well-being is deeply interconnected with the collective good.” He believes “golf is a tool that teaches discipline in life.” Students in the U...