For many years in Upstate NY, we have had several PGA and LPGA events we were able to attend. I always love watching how the tour players interact with the kids on the course. It is one of many areas that the Tour players excel in because they are dedicated to junior golf.
I have been lucky enough in my career to organize annual junior programs for the Corning Classic as well as for Wegman’s LPGA Championship. I have witnessed firsthand how a tour player’s smile is just enough to light up a child’s face or that high five after a great shot gives them encouragement to want to become a golfer. Many times
I have seen my junior clinic attendees on the course following the tour players that helped with their clinic. They are now fans for life.
I always tell my teaching staff before we run a junior program, “if we turn on one child to the game today, we have done our job”. Several years ago, Wegman’s and United Way partnered with the City School District for the “Graduation is the Goal” charity. Each year we bring several students from the city district to Locust Hill on Media Day for a junior clinic.
The first year I asked for a show of hands as to how many of these kids played golf. I only had two hands go up. This year, I asked the same question and almost half of the 80 children raised their hands. Wow, I guess we have been doing a good job.
Opening a child’s world by introducing them to the game of golf is a lifetime gift. For every parent that plays and enjoys the game, it is your turn to “pay if forward”. Bring your child to the course or sign them up for a junior golf program and watch their world come alive. Golf will enrich their lives and open so many doors for them in their future.