Jamie Macfarlane, 6, watches the ball roll towards the hole while Lucas Medeiros, 6, looks on. The two have started in the Junior Golf program at Osoyoos Golf Club. (Richard McGuire photo)
The Osoyoos Golf Club was busy with youngsters last Wednesday afternoon as the annual junior golf program kicked off for the summer.
It’s the second year that coordinator Claudia Wood has been involved with the program that includes some 45 young golfers aged six to 13.
Most of the children stick with the program for all eight sessions, every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., she said. A few are there for just the odd session, perhaps because they are in Osoyoos staying with grandparents, for example, Wood said.
Wood was working with a group of six-year-olds, the youngest age group, when the Osoyoos Times visited last week. Also working with the same group was Anne Polischuk, another golfer volunteer.
“I had the little guys and I took them the whole time,” said Wood, adding that she gave them an orientation to the golf course and facilities and then let them try chipping and putting.
Other children were working at different stations.
“Usually what we do is have three stations,” she said. “One group will be putting, one group will be chipping and one group will be doing full swing at the driving range with the pro. Then we rotate the kids around.”
Every couple of weeks they take a group onto the course to let them play half a dozen holes, perhaps playing from 100 yards in.
“When we take the really little kids out, they might take a shot from the 100-yard mark off the tee and then they’ll pick up all their balls and will chip and putt on the greens just to give them a feel for being on the golf course,” Wood said.
The program, which Wood said has been running “for eons,” is hugely popular.
“We’re jam-packed full,” said Wood. “So don’t invite more people to come because I’ve already turned people away.”
Surprisingly, most of the six-year-olds Wood worked with had their own clubs and had played before.
“They’re not ready for the major tour, but some of them had pretty good little swings,” she said.
The program is mainly run by volunteers, but the pro shop is also involved because they teach the full swing.
Wood said many sponsors support the program, and the donated money has helped because a few of the children didn’t have equipment. It was possible to buy some used equipment for them to use.
There is a fee to participate, and this covers the cost of supplies such as little prizes each week and trophies at the end of the program. The final day, Aug. 22, finishes with a mini-tournament and a barbecue.
“We try to keep it a fun environment and keep them moving around so that they’re learning stuff,” said Wood. “They’re mostly doing stuff, so we like them to be active.”
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
