Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 10-4-19

Features
Balance, Discipline And Commitment:
Formula For Success For V. P. Of Golf Operations, Tampa Sports Authority
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Feature Writer
Kennie Sims has always loved the game of golf.
Born and raised in New York City, Mr. Sims started playing golf with his father when he was eight. His fam- ily and community supported him through exposure to local golf courses, emphasiz- ing fun and learning. He would practice for hours and hours, eventually leading his high school golf team to win the NYC High School cham- pionship in 1979.
After graduation, Mr. Sims moved to Tampa to try out for the University of South Florida’s golf program. When that didn’t pan out, he began working at Rogers Park Golf Course.
Sims did many different jobs at the course and came under the tutelage of Dr. Michael Cooper, a well- known pro golfer and educa- tor.
Mr. Sims was soon re- cruited to the golf team by Fayetteville State University. After graduation with a de- gree in Business Administra- tion, he turned pro, joining the PGA in 1987.
Since then, he has honed his craft as a golf manage- ment professional.
Sims is the Vice Presi- dent of Golf Operations for the Tampa Sports Authority, with direct responsibilities for three Tampa golf courses - Babe Zaharias, historic Rogers Park, and Rocky Point.
His day to day includes, managing a staff of over 200
KENNIE SIMS
Vice President of Golf Operations, Tampa Sports Authority
and being responsible for the operations of all three courses. He also serves as project manager for improve- ments and renovations, in- cluding the Fairway Café and the Rocky Point Golf Course renovation.
Sims credits his time at Rogers Park as a stepping- stone to his successful man- agement style. Much like his golfing career, Mr. Sims learned from the bottom up. As a PGA professional, Mr. Sims maintains his golf game the same way he started. Practice, practice, practice.
A true lover of the game, his favorite golfing trips have been to Dubai, the Caribbean, Ireland, and nu- merous courses across the USA. One of the best golfing trips was to Scotland, the birthplace of the game he loves so much.
Sims’ job keeps him super busy, however he vol- unteers as much as his schedule allows.
The father of two, daugh- ter, Leslie, a freshman at FAMU, and son, Kevin, a working man, states his goal is to volunteer as much as possible for causes that he is truly passionate about.
Mr. Sims has served on numerous committees in the PGA in local and national ca- pacities.
In 2018, he was reap- pointed to the PGA of Amer- ica Membership Committee and has also served as the Di- versity and Inclusion Chair- man for the North Florida PGA (NFPGA) and the World Golf Foundation – We Are Golf Diversity Task Force.
In 2019, Mr. Sims was inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame (AAGHOF.) The pur- pose of the AAGHOF is to honor the achievements of African American golfers. He has been awarded Golf Pro- fessional of the Year twice by his peers in the PGA of Amer- ica, as well as serving as Pres- ident of his chapter of the PGA.
In March, the PGA North Section presented Sims with the 2019 Bill Strausbaugh Award (Club Relations). The award is designed to recog- nize PGA Professionals who by their day-to-day efforts have distinguished them- selves by mentoring their fel- low PGA Professionals in improving their employment situations and through serv- ice to the community.
Sims, who also holds a MBA degree from USF, cele- brated his 7th year as Golf Operations V. P. on October 1st.
New Law Affects Drivers Using Cell Phones Near Schools
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Tuesday, October 1st, several new laws went into ef- fect. One of those laws affects drivers who are using their cell phones.
The law states that “a person may not operate a motor vehicle while man- ually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, symbols or other charac- ters itno a wireless com- munications device or while sending or reading data on such a device... in- cluding, but not limited to communications methods known as texting, e-mail- ing, or instant messag- ing.”
The law further states that the law applies to school and work zones.
The exceptions to the law include 9-1-1 emergencies, re- porting suspicious activities, or for navigation of the vehicle.
State Senator Darryl Rouson helped to clarify the law. “You can use a cell phone if you have a blue tooth device or if the phone is on speaker. You just can’t have it in your hand while the vehicle is in mo- tion.”
Steve Hegarty, Public
Safety Information Coordina- tor for the Tampa Police De- partment said, “An officer can stop you if you have the phone up to your ear while driving. You can use it to call 9-1-1 or if the car is parked.”
Ms. Amanda Grantt,
Public Relations Coordinator for the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said, “The new law makes it illegal to hold a cell phone in a school or con- struction zone. This includes scrolling through news feeds, checking or holding a phone to your ear.
“You are allowed to answer the phone (but in school zones or construction zones, you can just tap the phone and not physically hold the phone in your hands). We recommend using Bluetooth or a hands-free device. We don’t recommend using ear buds, as you would be unable to hear the traffic noise around you.”
Colonel Gene S. Spauld- ing, Director of the Florida Highway Patrol said, “This new law provides additional protec- tion for Florida’s children and the men and women working on our roadways. Troopers will continue to educate motorists on every traffic stop and ex- plain the dangers of distracted driving.”
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019