JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Children at Joint Base San
Antonio-Randolph eager to learn about golf or better their golf skills received
expert instruction at the Randolph Oaks Golf Course Junior Golf Camp June
13-17.
Thirty-six children, ages 7 to 14,
took four days of lessons from volunteer instructors and played a few holes on
the course on the last day of the camp. After the children finished playing on
the course, they were treated to a pizza party.
Clay Kauha, Randolph Oaks Golf
Course pro shop manager, said camp instructors taught the young golfers a
variety of basic golf skills, including the proper mechanics for holding and
swinging a club and iron, hitting, chipping and putting, the rules of golf,
golf safety and etiquette and sportsmanship.
“They are learning the whole game,”
Kauha said.
The Junior Golf Camp is geared
toward children who are both beginning and experienced golfers. Randolph Oaks
Golf Course members have hosted the camp for more than 20 years.
Kauha said the camp instructors are
experienced golfers who play at the course.
“They love helping us out,” he
said.
Seven instructors gave lessons to
children in groups of 18, with the youngsters rotating between the driving range
to work on their hitting skills and the putting green to work on their chipping
and putting skills.
Cordelia Downey, 13, said she has
participated in the camp several times.
“I feel like I have improved a lot
by coming to this camp,” she said.
Downey said she likes participating
in the Junior Golf Camp because it gives her an opportunity to practice her
skills and because the instructors emphasize golf safety. In addition, she got
to be in the camp with three of her siblings.
Downey said she has learned the
proper techniques for swinging a club and hitting a golf ball.
“I learned how to tap my feet, how
to hold the club and to always keep your eye on the ball,” Downey said.
Jimmy Humphreys, 11, participated in
his first-ever Junior Golf Camp.
“It’s good to get out and
practice,” he said.
The children competed in a putting
and chipping contest on the putting green in which the golfer whose ball was
closest to the hole received a prize.
Brian Cannon, lead instructor at
the camp, said the students at the camp were willing to learn and work on their
golf skills.
“They have been really attentive,” Cannon
said. “They are trying their best. As long as I see them give the best effort
they can based on their age and physical capabilities, I’m happy.”
By teaching children golf skills at
a young age, Cannon said they will enjoy golf more and be likely to continue to
play the game.
“It’s the hardest game in the
world, but it’s a game you can improve at and play your whole life,” Cannon
said.
To encourage parents to play golf
with their children, Kauha said the Randolph Oaks Golf Course is allowing camp
participants to play for free during the summer after 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Parents will still have to pay course fees to play.
“Practicing
is good, but it’s a lot more fun playing,” Kauha said.