Karsten Solheim is not well known to most people. He was actually born in Norway in 1911 and emigrated with his parents to America when he was two years old. He studied engineering at the University of Washington and through extension courses at the University of California. He worked in the aeronautical industry with airplane manufactures and General Electric.
He eventually settled in Phoenix, Arizona, working for an aerospace company. Through the invitation of coworkers he started playing golf when he was in his forties. He was frustrated with his putting and designed a new putter using engineering principles. Later he designed other golf clubs that become very popular throughout the golf world. He started manufacturing these golf clubs in his garage. They were known as PING putters and clubs. I still use one of those early putters!
Karsten Manufacturing and PING golf clubs became an amazing success. They continued making some of the most popular golf clubs used today. What you may not know is that Mr. Solheim was also very generous and shared his success with colleges and universities around the country. He built new golf courses at Arizona State and Oklahoma State University. He sponsored women’s professional LPGA events.
Another school that benefited from his generosity was my Alma Mater – Dallas Seminary. Mr. Solheim had encouraged the president of the Seminary to contact him if they needed help with a major project. When the school had the opportunity to purchase a building next to the campus, the president contacted Karsten to see if he could help. It was a multi-million dollar project. Mr. Solheim was glad to provide the funds with one condition. He did not want his name on the new building. He wanted to honor his pastor in Phoenix. Today there is a large building at Dallas Seminary with the name – John Mitchel Center.
There are many verses in the Bible that emphasize generosity. One author wrote, “Good will come to the one who is generous and lends freely and who conducts his affairs with justice” (Psalm 112:5). Real generosity is not based on wealth. You can be generous with the time, money and resources you have right now. It is not the amount – it is the attitude that results in action. Let me encourage you to watch for an opportunity to be generous this week. You will be glad you did and others will too!
For more stories and articles by the author you can visit his website at letmarkencourageyou.com. He has also collected 365 stories and articles – one for every day of the year – in his book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper which is available for $25 and includes shipping. Order a copy for yourself and share one with a friend at markh@efreedb.org. You will be glad you did and they will too!
Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper 