Driving Change: How the Rules of Golf Are the Rules of Life

October 9, 2024

By Lukas D’Ambrosio (email) Communications Office

Cedar Creek Corrections Center (CCCC) in Littlerock, Washington, is home to an inventive new initiative — the first-ever staff led golf program in a Washington state correctional facility and one of few in the nation. Developed by Superintendent Tim Thrasher, the program is built around a simple but profound idea: "The rules of golf are the rules of life."

Thrasher believes the discipline, patience, and integrity required by the sport can teach important life skills to those incarcerated.

“You have to depend on yourself.” said Thrasher. “You have to do the right thing even when no one is looking, and we talk about that a lot.” The program has seen overwhelming success, with a long waitlist of individuals eager to join. It offers participants a unique opportunity to connect in ways not always possible in the prison environment. The camaraderie developed among the participants has been notable, as the golf course becomes a space for personal growth and teamwork.

“I know what golf does for me mentally, physically, even spiritually,” said Thrasher. “When I had the chance to do this with the population, I took it and ran with it.

Programs like the golf program at Cedar Creek Corrections Center exemplify The Washington Way, Washington State Department of Corrections’ person-focused approach to corrections. By integrating activities that promote discipline, self-reflection, and personal growth, such programs support both staff and incarcerated individuals’ mental well-being. These initiatives foster a healthier, more constructive environment that benefits everyone involved.

“It brings walls down because we’re out here just playing golf and having fun,” said Tejuan Thomas, an incarcerated individual at CCCC. “It gives us a chance to actually get to know each other.”

Thrasher and the team at Cedar Creek Corrections Center hope that the program's success will inspire other facilities to adopt similar initiatives. They believe golf can be a powerful tool for rehabilitation, fostering community, and instilling life lessons that extend far beyond the game.