SUMMERTIME IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR GOLF

Golfing writer and enthusiast Phillip Ellis encourages the pastime for all ages, especially this time of year

By Phillip Ellis
Posted 6/3/21

Caring parents wish the best for their children. They want them to grow up to be successful, honest, and responsible adults. But it can be a challenging task in today’s world. One way to ensure …

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SUMMERTIME IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR GOLF

Golfing writer and enthusiast Phillip Ellis encourages the pastime for all ages, especially this time of year

Posted

Caring parents wish the best for their children. They want them to grow up to be successful, honest, and responsible adults. But it can be a challenging task in today’s world. One way to ensure that outcome is to invest time with your family and focus them on activities that promote good values. Golf, often described as a pastime for ladies and gentlemen, is a great way to develop those traits. It teaches manners, dedication, hard work, honesty, respect, and discipline, all important values to success in life. It’s also a lot of fun for everyone regardless of age or gender and makes for wonderful family memories.

In spite of good intentions many moms and dads spend their days rushing around trying to earn a living and often the kids are lost in the shuffle. It’s a tragedy, but one that can be corrected. Here’s an idea: if you’re reading this article, you probably are a golfer; so the next time the greens beckon, invite your child to tag along and find out what golf is all about. It’s an investment that bears great dividends and you don’t need Wall Street to make the call.

Many youngsters begin playing in a summer program offered by local courses or associations. Parents and grandparents drop them off to practice where they learn the fundamentals and develop a love for the game. Once they master the basics, they move into more complex programs and competition.

If you are interested in a junior golf program for your son or daughter this year, here is a list of programs offered by many area courses. If you don’t see your favorite links listed give them a call anyway, most courses offer professional instruction.

 

Baldwin County Courses

Craft Farms in Gulf Shores has instruction by Kristi Jenkins Golf Academy June 7-11, 14-18, 21-25, and July 12-16, 19-23 daily from 9-noon. The class features lessons taught by PGA and LPGA professionals, snacks and drinks, on-course play, Snag Golf, drills, etiquette and swimming. Cost is $195 per week. Visit their website at Jenkinsgolf@yahoo.com or call 251-504-4694.

Glenlakes GC in Foley offers five Instructional Clinics, and ten Playing Opportunities starting in June. Designed for junior’s ages 8-16 the program includes instruction and competition. It runs Friday at 3 PM with a match each Saturday at 9:15. The sessions are Friday June 4, 18, 25, July 16. Matches are the next day. League fee is $105.

Contact the Pro Shop 251-955-1220 for more details.

Holly Hills Municipal GC in Bay Minette has a junior golf camp that runs June 2-4, June 9-11, June 16-18. Sessions meet from 8-10 Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. Cost is $100 per session. Contact for more information is 251-580-2553 or Cityofbayminette.org/hollyhills.

Lake Forest CC in Daphne is offering a 4-Day camp for combined ages 5-7,8-10,11? It includes 3 days of lessons, Monday-Wednesday from 8:30-11 and 1 day On-course play. Parents are invited to caddy. Cost is $125 for all four days. Contact Brian Barker PGA Head Professional at 251-626-9324 or lfproshop@lakeforestdaphne.com

Quail Creek GC in Fairhope has scheduled clinics for juniors ages 6-12 and 13. Dates begin June 1 and conclude June 18th with a nine-hole tournament. Cost is $25 per day, $75 a week or $180 for all three weeks. Instruction is by Bobby Hall and Tim Gressett Life Members of the PGA. Call the pro shop for complete details and to register at 251-990-0240.

TimberCreek GC in Daphne offers a PGA Junior League clinic for eight weeks beginning June 14. It features instruction on Tuesday’s and a game on Thursday both beginning at 5:30 p.m. For juniors ages 6-17 the cost is $375 for entire clinic. Contact PGA Professional Brandon Mauch at 937-272-5141 or Healmyswing.com/juniorgolf.

Peninsula Contact the Pro Shop for complete details of their summer programs at 251-968-8009.

Mobile County Courses

Azalea City GC offers clinics for juniors, ages 6-13, in June and July. The cost is $25 per session. For more information contact Michael Brisbane at 251-490-3812 or visit his website at MichaelBrisbanegolf.com

Heron Lakes CC is putting the finishing touches on their junior program. Call the Pro Shop at 251-706-6370 for details.

Mill Creek GC in Citronelle has a Youth Golf Camp June 13-15 from 8-noon, for youths ages 6-16. Cost is $25. Contact the Pro Shop at 251-866-7881.

Magnolia Grove, a RTJ Trail course in Mobile is hosting a qualifier for the Drive Chip and Putt on June 8th. It’s open to boys and girls ages 7-15. They compete in four separate categories ages 7-9, 10-11,12-13,14-15. Call the Pro shop for more details at 251-645-0075.

Spring Hill GC junior program is still under construction. Contact the Pro Shop for details at 251-380-4655.

Another fun alternative is the Jimmy Green Junior Golf Tour. It’s for golfers from 8-18, and allows advanced players to compete in tournaments at many area courses. Over the years the JGJGT has turned out some of the areas best players. For more information email Jay Stubbs at info@jimmygreentour.com or call 251-604-7024.

Finally, my latest book titled “Golf n’Grits Orville and Calvin Again” would make a great summer read for your favorite golfer. It’s available at many local courses and retailers or online in paperback or Ebooks at Kindle or Amazon.