Golfers swing for summer fun

Steven Larocque
Speaker Reporter
TEMISKAMING SHORES – Some area children were teed off long before they knew they were going back to school next week.
Both the Haileybury Golf Club (HGC) and the New Liskeard Golf Club (NLGC) had Junior programs this summer where players as young as five and into their teenage years were taught the fundamentals of the game.
The Haileybury program has grown substantially in the past four years, from 20 Juniors to a high of 56, says HGC president Jean Pierre Rivet.
“For younger (5- to 8-years-old) and first time participants the goal of the program is to introduce young boys and girls to the game of golf,” he said in an email interview.
“From early July to late August of each year one hour [on Tuesdays] of instruction is taught at the Red Stone Driving range in Haileybury. The goal is to keep it simple but interesting, and the emphasis is having fun with your peers.”
That goal was echoed by New Liskeard club manager Bruce Helbig.
The Junior program is a “basic introduction to new players,” said Helbig via email. The emphasis was on “fun and basic fundamentals, but fun was the focus.”
Rivet said he and fellow members of the club who volunteered to teach this season -- Gracia Lacroix, Bruce Murphy and board members Michel Massie, Jeff Elliott, Richard Steward and Raymond Paradis –- tried adding new wrinkles to keep the youngsters coming back each week.
“Golf etiquette, safety, pitching, putting and hitting irons and drivers are taught at an early age and basic instruction is given. Each week a new aspect of the game is introduced.”
One of the favourite parts of the session comes at the end with Chip for a Chip where “a player must chip his golf ball into an oval ring to be declared a winner (and win a bag of chips).”
To make golfing more accessible to more kids, the HGC “purchased eight sets for various ages thanks to a grant from the Kids (Sake) Foundation three years ago,” said Rivet.
“We also received a donation from the IPM (International Plowing Match) this year (for) which we are thankful and those monies are used for our junior program,” he said.
Rivet said the Juniors are also given passes for five games at the HGC, with the stipulation they are accompanied by an adult.
“The spinoff has been increased green fees as mom or dad may join their son or daughter for a round at the golf club or parents may simply accompany their child,” he said.
Juniors also get involved in the club by helping during tournaments and volunteer for things like raking and planting trees.
Helbig, who was joined in providing instruction by his coach Doug Hall as well as former NLGC pro Al Jamieson and several parents, taught 43 kids aged 6-14.
The young players’ approach to the game differs from that of adults, he noted.
“They are willing to try something new without having years of poor habits and are much more willing to practice what they have been told,” he said.
“This age group was very young for the most part this year so safety and fun were the primary focus.”
The end of the formal instruction season came to a close on August 24 for the Haileybury Juniors with a nine-hole scramble format tournament.
“Free drinks, hot dogs, chips and cookies is enjoyed by all the participants and the Dundee Trophy is presented to the winning team along with prizes to all the participants,” said Rivet.
There is still a chance for more golf action thanks to a new Junior-Senior Tournament scheduled in Haileybury on Sunday, September 12, sponsored by Dundee Wealth.
“The goal is to have as many parents, grandparents, young and old golfers share some time together,” said Rivet.
“If a Junior does not have a playing partner the club will have one available. Women are encouraged to enter. The goal is to create a fun Sunday afternoon with family and friends. Of course hot dogs will be served after the nine holes and prizes (will be) awarded.”
The organizers are Dan Patterson and Bruce Murphy, contact the golf shop to sign up.