Miss-Delectable

http://kgmb9.com/kgmb/display.cfm?storyID=7262&sid=1185

When Rob Strano gives golf lessons, what you see is what you get. His students are deaf.

"With these kids, they are so focused on you because they're taking in your body language, your expressions, the sign," Strano said. "They have to take in the whole message so they are just focused on you and they don't miss anything."

Rob has been learning sign language for two years. Now he runs free camps like this all across the country. The 15-year touring pro says it's important for these kids to be exposed to this sport in their own language.

"When we're playing with people who are hearing, we say don't swing so hard, swing smoother," he said. "Hard is a texture and smooth is a texture, but it doesn't translate. If you get an interpreter who doesn't know golf, it gets lost in translation."

With Rob, there's a direct connection. He is the only professional in the world to teach golf to deaf children with his hands.

"I'm proud that he's a good signer and can teach us," said 12-year-old student Brandon Johnson. "We're lucky that we could come here and it was easy for us students to understand him."

Pono Tokioka flew in from Kauai to see if Rob could help improve his game. He's glad he came.

"I learned how to swing the ball and get the ball close to the hole," he said.

Being able to use himself as a visual tool is now this golfer's gift and as well as his reward.

"To see the kids light up when they hit a quality shot, it's just so fun," Strano said.

Because what Rob sees -- is a lesson learned.

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