"Willie! This is ridiculous!" She looked at him, shook her head, smiled, and felt pity for him. "Willie, you want to be a teacher, a coach and a golf professional?" She looked directly at the small boy and the boy looked down at the ground. Miss Earl knew the fact of the day, living in a society where segregation was law.

She probably knew of the Caucasian clause in the Professional Golfers of America. Article 3, section 1 of the PGA's national constitution states Professional golfers of the Caucasian Race, over the age of eighteen (18) years, residing in North or South America, who can qualify under the terms and conditions hereinafter specified shall be eligible for membership.

Miss Earl had seen several ambitious young Negroes over her many years of teaching, and she knew that sooner of later reality sets in and they have to abandon their incredible impossible dreams. Maybe young Carter would do well in the trade school or end up working in the service industry. Maybe he could do as a lot of young Negroes from Mamaroneck, New York did, and become a good caddie at the Winged Foot Golf Club.

Young William Carter was determined to break down barriers. He believed that even in the most difficult environment, dreams come true if you set goals. He put his goal in writing when Miss Earl gave him the assignment. Her disbelief gave him resolve to pursue his goals even further. Willie knew that there were separate water fountains and toilet facilities for black and white people. He knew that if he was going to accomplish his dreams, he had to have the four D's. Desire, Dedication, Discipline, and Destiny.

Willie had a burning desire to win. He wanted to win so badly - that's all he thought about. He ate winning, slept winning, and, since he wanted it so badly, he could feel winning. He did not know how it was possible; in fact, it seemed impossible. But somehow he was going to do it. Willie was dedicated to his dreams. This often shy boy actually had the nerve to put them down on paper. He dedicated his life to finding ways to accomplish his task. He felt very strongly that no one should tell you what to dream. Now he was dedicating his life to pursue it. Willie and his friends buried coffee cans in the ground and created their own three-hole golf course. Then they competed to see who would be Pro.

Discipline would be the framework on which everything was built. Discipline in his schoolwork, discipline in sports, and discipline to go beyond what was necessary to accomplish his goals. He later became a caddie at Winged Foot Golf Club, and in order to get more practice he would volunteer to remove crabgrass from the fairways and greens at five o'clock in the morning before the members came out to play. During this time he would bring a club along with him and practice getting out of the sand traps and other finesse shots. Willie was willing to go to whatever lengths was necessary to get what he wanted out of life.

The last thing was destiny. Willie had a very strong faith in a higher parent's power. It was his faith and constant belief that kept him going. A strong belief in God. He believed he had to do his part to fulfill the job God had placed him here for. Willie believed that it was better to be prepared and not have an opportunity, than to have an opportunity and not be prepared.