Unable to stop her momentum after swinging a golf club, Sara Whifaker, 9, of Decatur breaks
into laughter under the watchful eye of Rick Anderson, Decatur Park District director of golf. Whitaker look park in lessons were as part of the district's 1998 Spring Break for Kids
Sports Day. Photo by KellyJ. Huff and reprinted with permission of the Decalur
Herald & Review.
SPECIAL FOCUS
Junior Golf
INTRODUCTION BY WILLIAM CLEVENGER
Investing in the Future of the Game
Three proactive junior golf programs share their
unique strategies for inspiring young golfers
AND RICHARD ANDERSON
Sit up and take note! In a recent USA Today survey
of twenty-somethings (adults ages 20 to 29), 76
percent ranked golf as getting "cooler." This is a clear
indication that the golf industry must focus on the
future of the game.
As parks and recreation professionals, we are in a
position to spearhead efforts to help ensure the longterm future of golf. Providing opportunities and
facilities for youth to develop athletic skills in an
enjoyable recreational setting has been a cornerstone
of our profession for decades. Children find encouragement, support and fun in the low-pressure
learning environment provided by park districts and
recreation departments.
In addition to the opportunity for quality programs, public agencies own and operate a vast
network of facilities throughout the country.
Ownership and operation of these golf courses,
driving ranges and learning centers allows for creative
integration of junior programs into the daily golf
operations. Thus, junior golf can be fully embraced
without detrimentally impacting the daily fee or club
player who also comes to the facility for enjoyment
the game of golf.
In many cases the junior program is forced upon
the golf staff who therefore do very little to create an
environment conducive to player development. Too
often complaints from adult golfers and concern for
immediate income take precedence in the daily
operation of the golf course. This begs the question,
"Where will my revenue be when all my current
players are unable or unwilling to golf?"
In analyzing our opportunity and obligation, one
must also give thought to afford ability. As the game
strives to include the diversity of our population,
we will face the challenge of affordable opportunity.
In our efforts to reach the masses, low or no-cost
equipment and services are made available on an as-needed basis. How will we react to the time when
these new players reach adulthood and are immediately affected by the costs of reality?
As with most sport and recreational activities, we
can be assured that there will peaks and valleys. In
general, these fluctuations, when held to a minimum, allow for greater organizational stability and
responsiveness. Thus, one of our organizational
goals is to minimize the severity of the peaks and
valleys. Encouraging and developing a diverse group
of juniors that will serve as our future user group is
one of the primary vehicles used for insuring long term stability.
It is our position that like most successful private
corporations, the organizations that invest the time
and energy in junior programs will reap long-term
May/June 1998 / 25
SPECIAL FOCUS
Introduction continued from page 25
success. Investment is the absolute key. The concept appears so
However, the reality of short-term economics verses long-term
In closing, our thoughts revolve around the future stability and
Remember, we have both the vehicle and driver necessary to
WILLIAM ClEVENGER
RICHARD ANDERSON
Photo above: Youths learn about turf management Chicago Park District
BY TOM GREY
Even before Tiger Woods, the children of Chicago
Five years ago there were only 400 junior participants.
The newest program and probably the most
Also, each week everyone is given two sleeves of
Another highly successful golf program has been
26 / Illinois Parks and Recreation
JUNIOR GOLF: INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF THE GAME
duties, customer service practices, opening
and closing procedures and much more.
The other program trains students on golf
course maintenance. In this program the
students learn landscaping techniques,
proper turf management, how to care for a
golf course and other daily duties of a golf
course maintenance staff.
Each program consists of 10 to 12
students and meets once a week for five
consecutive weeks. The Chicago Park
District believes that by giving these boys
and girls the chance to understand a
business, they will be better prepared to
enter the workplace as young adults. The
programs strongly encourage responsibility,
dedication and positive work habits. It also
shows that you do not have to be a golfer
to be successful in the golf business.
At the end of the five weeks a final exam
is given to the students. The top student in
each program is awarded a $1,000
scholarship to continue his or her education. The Chicago Park District also makes
all efforts to place as many students as
possible who complete the program in a
job position at one of the eight Chicago
Park District golf facilities. The district
believes this golf institute can be a positive
alternative for boys and girls in Chicago asthey focus on their future and their role inthe community.
The Chicago Park District is committedto providing Chicago youth with a varietyof recreational opportunities, includinggolf. There is never a fee associated withany junior golf program the districtconducts. This ensures that any youth whowishes to learn how to play golf can.
TOM GREY
Peoria Park District
BY WILLIAM P. WOOLARD AND MERIDITH ZUCCO
The Peoria Park District board oftrustees, Ad Hoc Golf Advisory Committee and staff identified the need for a golflearning experience in our 1993 GolfMaster Plan. Careful investigation ofexisting facilities and budget planningbegan almost immediately. As planningdeveloped and time passed, we identifiedseveral areas to address. We had outgrownour present range and teaching facilities.The interest in golf had skyrocketed inPeoria, as in the rest of the world. Andlast, but far from least, junior programming was growing by leaps and bounds.Many of our junior programs were atcapacity and growth was being limited byavailable rime at our five existing golfcourse facilities.
With these challenges in mind, we set out to increase the skill level and diversity of ourcustomers and to encourage play from new target groups such as children, women, minorities, the physically challenged and those who are financially disadvantaged. Ourcommunity's diverse socio-economic profile affords an opportunity to introduce golf tothese new target audiences, as well as to provide programs to children who face challengesrelative to both physical and financial handicaps. We believe that, through golf, we can leadchildren to choose positive role models and pastimes while learning new lifetime skills.
In consideration of these beliefs, our staff contacted Carl Donner, programs administrator for the United States Golf Association (USGA) Foundation. He encouraged us to applyfor a grant to assist with the development of a Learning Center and Academy area,dedicated to increasing diversity and programming among the socio-economically disadvantaged youth in our community. Staff and a grant consulting firm presented a comprehensiveplan for a unique golf facility to the USGA Foundation. The plan spelled out our multidimensional golf program for a diverse population in which: 1) 57 percent of the childrenin our public school system live below the poverty level, 2) last year our communityintroduced a free bus pass system to assist with our transportation needs, and 3) we cancapture the enthusiasm of our youth to introduce the game to other participants within the community.
We further explained that the Peoria Park District and the USGA could build anoutstanding and unique facility that would introduce a new dimension of golf learning toour region. The new facility could also serve as a demonstration site for other communitiesthat face similar needs. Because we are a crossroad of cultural and economic diversity, Peoriais an ideal testing ground, which explains the phrase, "Will it play in Peoria?".
By year's end, the Peoria Park District was awarded a grant in the amount of $100,000toward our youth golf program and project. The grant affirms the USGA's commitment togrowth, preservation and protection of the game of golf.
Peoria Park District programs such as Hook-A-Kid on Golf, First Swing, DetweillerDrivers Children's Golf Club and lesson programs, now offered at remote sites, will beimplemented at the Golf Academy. The center will allow expansion of these existingprograms, as well as new program development.
May/June 1998 / 27
SPECIAL FOCUS
The Peoria Park District's Hook-A-Kid
on Golf program currently serves 60 inner city minority youth ages 7 to 17 in two
sessions during June and July. The
youngsters receive clubs, balls, shirts and
visors to keep and use in the future. It is
our hope to find children who will like golf
to the extent that they will find the desire
or develop the natural gift and dedication
it takes to become one of golf's great
players. Offering this program at me
Learning Center and Academy will enable
our staff to increase diversity as well as
reach out to more socio-economically
disadvantaged participants. The increase in
teaching space will also allow the district to
offer the program to an expanded area of
the community.
Additionally, beginning in 1998, the
Peoria Park District will offer free-of-
charge to the student an opportunity to
involve a parent or guardian in the game
with them. Youth and their parents will be
offered a lesson series free of charge; upon
completion, our staff will conduct a
teaching seminar to encourage continuing
adult involvement. With adult involvement, encouragement for future family
participation in golf will be developed.
The district's First Swing program,
aimed at enhancing curiosity for the game
of golf, will be expanded to two additional
"Title One" schools in the spring of 1998.
Involvement with the public school system
enables our staff to expand our contact
with students early in the season; the goal
is to enhance their curiosity for the game
and to help them further utilize our
summer programming.
The Detweiller Drivers Children's Golf
Club was initiated in 1996. In 1997, the
program expanded to offer 150 children
ages 3 to 11 the opportunity to play golf
on a weekly basis. It is by far one of the
most successful programs we have offered
in the Golf Division to date, and we plan
to expand time availability when we
relocate it to the Learning Center. The
proposed 9-hole "pitch and putt" course
that will be part of the Learning Center
will be invaluable to this program as it will
improve the new golfers comfort level
before he or she hits the links.
Our existing lesson programs for junior
golfers are at capacity, and will also have
the opportunity to be expanded with the
advent of the Learning Center. Lesson
programs for special populations, begun in
1994 in conjunction with the Heart of
Illinois Special Recreation Association, will
also utilize the increased space and
amenities offered at the center.
The Peoria Park District recently held
its official ground-breaking ceremonies for
the Learning Center and Academy. The
number in attendance was representative
of the enthusiasm throughout the community for the project, and media coverage of
the event was extensive. Grand opening is
planned for spring of 1999.
In Peoria, the golf program never ends,
and we know that our youth development
is the future of golf. It is our belief that the
Learning Center will bring families
together and provide opportunities never
before present in the Peoria area. Through
our youth lessons, tournaments, mentoring
program and more, we continue to learn
from our experiences as well as from the
smiles of the kids we contact.
WILLIAM P. WOOLARD MERIDITH ZUCCO
BY WILLIAM CLEVENGER AND RICHARD ANDERSON
The Decatur Park District's junior golf program is rooted in skill development
and teaching basic human values and interactions. From the very beginning, the
golf professionals realized that the game of golf provided many lifelong learning
experiences while building emotional control and positive character values. In
addition, the program stresses enjoyment, which ultimately leads to a desire to
continue playing for years to come.
From its humble beginning of 25 juniors one day a week to the current 350
young golfers five days a week, the junior program continues to enhance youth
development in Decatur. We attempt to leave no stone unturned; "from the Boys
and Girls Club to the Country Club," the Decatur Park District provides youth of
the greater Decatur community one of the best junior golf programs in the
country.
The program recently celebrated its 25-year silver anniversary, and we point
with pride to more than 25 individuals who currently work in the golf industry or
play professional golf. Penny Hammel and Noelle Dagne, on the LPGA tour,
have been a great inspiration to our LPGA girls golf club. Greg Hopkins, president of Cleveland Golf Corporation and former head golf professional at
Decaturs Nelson Park facility, started our junior camp. Marty Robinson, rules
official on the LPGA tour, started in our junior program. Others are currently
sales representatives, PGA head professionals, golf course superintendents and
tour caddies.
Following is a brief synopsis of the Decatur Park District Junior Golf program.
Decatur Junior Golf Association. This association plays an organized
weekly program that provides both low-key competition and instruction. It
consists of an eight-week season with sessions meeting for two hours on Tuesday,
Wednesday and Thursday. We keep play in age groups, rotate them through
learning stations and shorten the holes that they play on the golf course in relation
(continues opposite on page 29)
28 / Illinois Parks and Recreation
JUNIOR GOLF: INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF THE GAME
to their age. We expose juniors to funevents such as select shot and alternatingshot. We use six to eight instructors andnumerous parent volunteers who score,supervise and give encouragement.
Junior Golf Camp. The camp is anintensive eight-day activity that kicks off the summer golf season. It runs the firsttwo weeks after the school year ends. Wecreate learning stations and rotate thejuniors through every station by agegroups. The camp lasts two hours per dayand focuses on the fundamentals of grip,swing, stance, rules and etiquette. Videosare used along with various training aids toenhance the learning experience. We useeight instructors and a number of adultvolunteers.
Advanced Junior Program. As thejuniors get older or their skills develop itbecomes necessary to create a program forthe advanced junior golfer. This groupmeets three times a week for eight weeks,usually in the afternoon. This gives theparents with two or more juniors a chanceto get them to one or the other program.We use two instructors, handouts, videos,and on-course playing lessons. We trackprogress and work on improving the areasthat require attention.
Junior Winter Program. The
winter program is designed to prepare thetournament golfers for the upcomingseason. Starting in February, the programruns twice a week for eleven weeks. Weuse two instructors, handouts, videos, anindoor hitting net and teaching aids toimprove specific areas of the individualsgame. We stress golf course managementand an understanding of the rules in atournament setting.
LPGA Junior Girls Golf Club. In
an effort to provide an environment forwomen's golf to grow, the junior programformed an LPGA Junior Girls Golf Club.This program is designed to introduce golfto girls ages 6 to 16. It approaches golffrom a social perspective as opposed to amore competitive approach. The clubmeets ten months per year. We use twoinstructors and are provided with a LPGAtour player to conduct a clinic. All aspectsof the game are introduced to the girls.
Hook-a-Kid on Golf Program. For inner-city junior development, we'veteamed up with the local Boys and GirlsClub and used the Hook-a-Kid on Golfprogram developed by the NationalAlliance for Youth Sports. The juniors are introduced to the fundamentals and provided a variety of opportunity. Wecreate a three-hole course at the Boys and Girls Club, use the driving ranges and playat no charge at our par three course. Forjuniors who financially are unable to participate, we've developed a scholarshipfund. This fund has not only providedscholarships but also conducted freetournaments for the juniors ages 5 to 14.
Tournament Competition. Decaturoffers five association tournaments, localqualifiers for national tournaments,Regional Illinois Junior Golf Associationqualifiers, a major Midwest junior 36-holetournament with a limited field of 400,and Illinois High School Association boysand girls sectional/regional tournaments.
Decatur Junior Open. Players of alllevels are also exposed to a higher level oftournament play through the DecaturJunior Open. This event is put on throughthe efforts of a not-for-profit group formedby the district to provide communityleadership for the event. It's a three-daytournament that has grown from less than100 players in 1993 to in excess of 450 in1997. This is not only a treat for ourjuniors but also an economic benefit forthe community.
The Decatur Park District formula issimple: start them young, provide fun andplaying time, and challenge them as theirskills improve. All these opportunities areprovided in an atmosphere of professionally run events made affordable throughscholarships and sponsorships. Using thisbasic premise, we try to never lose sight ofthe fact that todays junior players aredefinitely "the future of the game.
WILLIAM CLEVENGER RICHARD ANDERSON Photo: Decatur's director of golf, Richard Anderson, teaches these junior golfers about club dynamics.
May/June 1998 / 29
simple; developing ongoing generations of golfers will provide the
basis for perpetuation of the game.
Stability provides many organizational dilemmas. Pressures for
immediate financial fixes sometimes cloud the need to think about the
next generation of players who will be in the position to pay and play.
growth of the game. Providing quality instruction in a safe and
enjoyable environment is critical as we nurture our next generation of
players.
transport this great game into the next century.
is the executive director of the Decatur Park District.
is the director of golf for the Decatur Park District.
and olf course care as part of the
Chicago
Park District - Kemper
Lesnik Golf Institute. The
program offers high school
boys and girls the
opportunity to learn about the business
aspects
of operating a golf
course. Photo by Michael
Gustafson.
were learning that playing golf is "cool." Over the
past five years, the Chicago Park District has been
dedicated to increasing and enhancing its junior golf
programs throughout Chicago. Last year alone the
district conducted 121 junior golf programs and
more than 8,000 inner-city youths between the ages
of 5 to 17 participated in these free golf programs.
About 85 percent of the juniors that the park
district instructs had never been introduced to golf.
Now a lot of the same children are coming back for
more advanced golf programs. These golf programs
include a one-day introduction to golf clinics,
five week golf camps, educational programs on the golf
business, and junior golf days in which juniors play
nine holes on a weekly basis and junior tournaments.
Also, last year both Tiger Woods and Senior PGA
TOUR player Walter Morgan conducted youth golf
clinics at the district.
popular offered by the Chicago Park District is its
"Junior Golf Days." The district invites youth
organizations it has instructed over the years to play
golf once a week for five consecutive weeks. Each
organization has its own day of the week to play and
they bring 24 juniors to play and at least one adult to
accompany each group. All the needed equipment is
available to the youths. If they do not have a set of
clubs, junior sets are available.
golf balls. The golf course is specially set up for the
young golfers. Tees are moved forward onto the
fairways, par on each hole is increased, special score
cards are created, and a weekly tournament is
conducted. Each day prizes are awarded to the
youths and everyone is given a coupon for free range
balls, for practice before the next time they play. This
year the Chicago Park District will expand this golf
program, and offer it to more youth groups.
The Chicago Park District - Kemper Lesnik Golf
Institute. The main purpose behind the golf institute
is to offer high-school-aged boys and girls in Chicago
the opportunity to study, learn and understand the
business aspects of operating a golf course. Each year
two separate programs are offered. One focuses on
the daily operations at a golf facility such as staff
is the marketing director for Kemper Golf Management- Chicago, which manages the Chicago Park District's six public courses.
is the superintendent of golf for the Peoria Park District.
is the coordinator of marketing/golf for the Peoria Park District.
Decatur Park District
is the executive director of the Decatur Park District.
is the director of golf for the Decatur Park District.