There's a simple reason for courting youth golfers: children are the future of the game. "To grow the game and produce revenue, you've got to get players involved," says Rick Anderson, director of golf for the Decatur Park District, which has introduced kids to the game for 30 years.

"Junior golf is a great way to start." Industry figures show that junior golfers are among the game's fastest-growing sectors. And Illinois offers a number of youth-friendly facilities and programs.

• The newly renovated Phillips Park Golf Course in Aurora includes a new, three-hole, par-3 course just for youths.

"No adults are allowed on the junior course unless they're accompanied by a child," says Ron Ford, the city's director of parks and recreation.

The course also boasts a First Tee program, run jointly by the city of Aurora and the Fox Valley Park District. First Tee, a nationwide initiative of the World Golf Foundation, strives to provide affordable, accessible golf for people from all walks of life.

Multiple tees and nine-hole rounds help accommodate both seniors and juniors.

• The renovated clubhouse at the Byron Forest Preserve District's Prairie View Golf Course boasts a juniors-only area complete with television, bag storage and lounging area.

"The junior program has been growing since we expanded our clubhouse," says executive director Ed Clift.

A renovated course, including a new training facility, will open this summer, so personnel will have a good sense by July or August as to whether they've been successful in attracting and retaining more young golfers.

• Cantigny Youth Links at the daily-fee Cantigny Golf Course in Wheaton is a nine-hole course designed solely for kids, with holes from 70 to 170 yards long. Kids are encouraged to handle all reservation and check-in chores, says head pro Mike Jones. The cost for youths is just $7.

Youth Links even has its own clubhouse, with youth apparel and clubs, and kid-pleasing concessions such as nachos, popcorn, hot dogs, candy and pop.

The young golfers go through the certification process, learning rules, safety and etiquette before being allowed to play on their own. As at other courses where youths are courted, participation is increasing yearly, as the program becomes better known.

"We certify about 800 kids each summer, and see about 16,000 rounds played each year on the Youth Links course," says Jones.

• The Decatur Park District program—one of the nation's most ambitious—serves an estimated 400 youngsters between ages 5 and 21, says director Anderson. That's a vast cry from 1971, when a day was set aside specifically to teach youngsters the game and about 25 youths showed up.

The program has been refined and expanded many times, adding clinics and an advanced program (with more tournaments, separate clinics and additional playing times), as well as an LPGA Girls Golf Club and a winter program. In 2000, Decatur was awarded five chapter sites for the First Tee program, which helps make golf available to youths who might not otherwise have an opportunity to play. And, according to Anderson, more kids want to pick up a club.

"When we got into First Tee, we expected 50 kids," he says. "We had 150 kids show up, at the same time that we had 250 kids in our other junior program."

According to Cantigny's Jones" "We give kids something to do. Golf helps keep them away from drugs and gangs. And we're growing the game in general."

A separate youth clubhouse can be a valuable asset, he said.

"Some kids may be intimidated over at the main clubhouse," says Jones. "Over here, they're the ones in charge."

Says Clift: "Interestingly, even though the kids have their own eating area at Byron's Prairie View course, many mingle with the adults. And that's fine. What's important is that kids are playing, and coming back."

Many courses cannot afford the real estate for a separate clubhouse. But course operators all see the need to look to the future.

Dan Nicholas is a principal at PHN Architects in Wheaton, with expertise in golf course clubhouses, learning centers and other recreational facilities. He's seen more courses add "learning

March/April 2002 27

Now in its fifth year of operation. The First Tee has succeeded in becoming a distinct reality/growing and expanding through the development of affordable and accessible golf facilities across this country and branching out into others. Through this unique learning experience/thousands of young people have been positively impacted because of their exposure to the game of golf and its inherently positive values. Beginning with the support received from five of the world's leading golf organizations—the PGA of America/Ladies Professional Golf Association/Augusta National Golf Club, PGA TOUR and United States Golf Association—The First Tee has succeeded in garnering the unprecedented support of the golf industry and others/including counties and cities that have donated land for the purpose of creating The First Tee facilities. The First Tee surpassed its Phase I goal of having 100 facilities in development by the end of the year 2000. These facilities have been built in inner city/urban, suburban and rural areas. The purpose is to serve those who have not previously had access or exposure to the game. With more than 85 facilities open and operating, The First Tee has turned its focus toward understanding the magnitude of impact it can have on young people. The objectives for Phase II include the primary goal of introducing the game of golf and its values to 500,000 young people cumulatively by 2005. Further, The First Tee expects to have 250 dedicated First Tee facilities and 500 affiliate relationships with existing golf courses. First Tee sites in Illinois include Chicago Park District, Decatur Park District and Dolton Park District. Others involved by participation are Quincy Park District, Moline Park District, and North Chicago Park District.• Individuals, communities or organizations interested in becoming port of The First Tee may call or write: The First Tee World Golf Village 425 South Legacy Trail St. Augustine, FL 32092 904.940.4300 www.thefirsttee.org

centers," which frequently feature short courses, lesson areas and expanded driving ranges that emulate real course conditions. Such courses usually can accommodate junior programs without negatively impacting adult players. And novices like the gradual, non-intimidating introduction to the game that learning centers provide.

"Sometimes districts will develop golf learning centers next to a miniature golf course," says Nicholas, citing Libertyville as an example. "Mom and Dad and the kids can all hit golf balls. Then, if the kids get tired of that, they can play miniature golf. Everybody's participating in golf at some level.

"That kind of recreational outlet, or even a youth-only section of a clubhouse with a video arcade, provides another play option, one geared to kids who might like higher-level activities after a slower-paced game of golf."

Even golf simulators such as those found at the Oak Lawn Park District's Stony Creek Golf Course's new clubhouse can attract youths who want to practice their game in the winter.

"A teen might simply see the simulator as a different type of video game," says Nicholas. "It's something young adults are used to and are comfortable with. And it brings in the adult golfer as well."

Golf teaches you a lot about life. A bogey equals a bad day at work. If you don't clean up your room well, you're penalized, just as you are if you hit a bad shot or land in a bunker.

Caddy programs—geared to young adults—also help to attract and keep youths interested. Young golfers learn life experiences as well as a sport.

"Kids learn the rules and etiquette," says Nicholas. "They learn skills that are valuable and applicable beyond golf, such as integrity, discipline, sportsmanship."

Says Decatur's Anderson: "Golf teaches you a lot about life. A bogey equals a bad day at work. If you don't clean up your room well, you're penalized, just as you are if you hit a bad shot or land in a bunker.

"We try to make a lot of parallels to the game and life itself."

 
Beth Bales
is a writer affiliated with PHN Architects, which specializes in the design of recreational facilities such as golf course clubhouses, recreation centers and aquatic centers. See www.phnarhictects.com.

28 Illinois Parks and Recreation