Summer 2014
Newton Recreation Commission Junior Golf Clinic Newton, KS
COMING SOON • Eagles for Education Grant - How to apply • New program - Boys & Girls Clubs of America • New program - Links Across America • New program - Michigan Women’s Golf Association • GCBAA Foundation Scholarship recipient Eric McCarthy • 2013 Year-End Survey results and Sticks for Kids Program Status Report
Henderson Leads Crusade Enlists Sticks for Kids Support In Stillwater, Oklahoma, Michael Henderson is leading a crusade to help make golf affordable and accessible to every child in the community. In addition to serving on the Board of the South Central Section of the PGA and working as General Manager of the Lakeside Memorial Golf Course, Henderson is doing everything he can to cultivate the next generation of golfers. Beginning May 27, Lakeside Memorial Golf Course is offering children under the age of 16 the opportunity to play, receive instruction, and borrow equipment free of charge. With the help of PING Golf, US Kids Golf, and the GCBAA Foundation Sticks for Kids Program, children in Stillwater can learn about and experience the game of golf without having to worry about any financial constraints. Children new to the game will receive instruction on golf fundamentals and golf course etiquette. Children will be able to play with an adult on weekends until 2 p.m. and on their own after that, depending on course traffic. They will be allowed to play on their own Monday to Thursday. Henderson believes making golf more accessible will prove to help revitalize and grow the game. “I’m taking a leap of faith that this new program will be successful, but
Michael Henderson believes cultivating an interest in golf at a young age is key to growing the game in the future.
I really believe that financial constraints keep the game from growing,” Henderson said. “Once I document the financial benefits of my program to the PGA and fellow golf course operators, I am sure that others will follow suit. Thank you so much for the opportunity to partner in this new endeavor.” In addition to his pilot program at Lakeside, Henderson is currently involved in raising funds to bring SNAG programs to all local elementary schools, hoping it will help generate an interest in golf that will carry over to the golf course. The Sticks for Kids Program provides the next logical step at Lakeside, which has already been recognized as a PGA Family course and a South Central PGA Junior Golf Leader. Henderson’s Sticks for Kids grant application was recently approved and the Lakeside Memorial Golf Course will soon receive 10 sets of junior clubs and Sticks for Kids program materials. Both Henderson and the GCBAA Foundation Board are excited to see how the program in Stillwater will develop in the years to come. For more information about Lakeside Memorial Golf Course, contact Michael Henderson at (405) 372-3399 or mhenderson@stillwater.org, or visit www.stillwatergolf.org.
A group of female junior golfers practice together at Lakeside Memorial Golf Course in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
The Attleboro Recreation Department purchased clubs through the GCBAA to give to children who may otherwise not have the opportunity to own them. Proceeds from the annual event are used to fund year round youth programs in the community.
Youth Golf Event a Smashing Success
Attleboro, Massachusetts
As past recipients of Sticks for Kids Program grant funding, the folks in Attleboro, Massachusetts knows the positive impact golf can have on the lives of children. Tim Killion, Community Outreach Coordinator and Youth Center Director, reached out to the GCBAA Foundation this spring with a unique request. The Recreation Department wanted to purchase 10 sets of youth golf clubs to be used in the annual golf event and then donated to children who participate regularly but do not have their own equipment. Tim worked with Lori Romano, GCBAA Information & Education Coordinator, to compile the order. The Attleboro Youth Center provides children in the community with engaging after school activities and positive role models. Funded by grants from the United Way, Community Development of Attleboro, and proceeds from the annual Attleboro Youth Center
Charitable Golf Outing, the Youth Center is run by the local Recreation Department and the YMCA. With help from the Attleboro Area Golf Association, the owners of the Locust Valley Golf Course, and Drew Chapman, Head Professional at the Highland Country Club, the 2014 youth golf event was a huge success. On Saturday, May 3, more than 40 youth and their parents gathered at the Locust Valley Golf Course, where they enjoyed a golf clinic, a round of golf, a cookout, and raffle prizes. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and volunteers, participants enjoyed a free day of fun, sun, and golf. Tim shared the following note from the mother of one participant, thanking the GCBAA Foundation and Sticks for Kids Program for helping make it all possible:
Hi Tim,
My son, Tye, attended the youth golf day this past Saturday and I’m so glad he did. He had a great day and we are so thankful for your generosity in giving him the golf set. He now has a whole new interest and uses them all the time, “to work on his swing” or just play. We will definitely be back next year! Thank you again for putting together the event and your generosity. Trish P. For more information about youth programs in the city of Attleboro, visit http://www.cityofattleboro.us/rec/ youthc.htm
Newton’s Recipe for Success Six Years...and Counting
Severe thunderRemington High School storms and early morning coach. There’s Dick Hushka, flooding couldn’t stop a a longstanding member of group of junior golfers the golf club and Paul Buller, in Newton, Kansas. They who is a former high school gathered at Fox Ridge Golf coach. Jim Pohlman is the Club Thursday, June 5 to coach at Peabody. Judy has wrap up day four of the volunteered since 2009, Jim annual Newton Recreation since 2012. The rest have Commission Junior Golf been volunteering since the Clinic. Since 2008, the program began.” Newton Recreation Com Steadman and Riffel mission and Fox Ridge also credit the GCBAA Golf course have teamed Foundation’s support, and up with the Sticks for Kids the generosity of a number Program to connect local of local sponsors for the youth with the game of long term success of the golf, and it’s a collaboraThe volunteer team is made up up local coaches and members of the program. This year, in addition that’s definitely work- Fox Ridge Golf Club. tion to receiving several new ing. sets of clubs as part of a Sticks Steadman. “We’ve been holding steady In 2008, Jason Steadman, sports for Kids Maintenance Grant, the Newton at about 40 participants every year since director at the Newton Recreation Comclinic also received donations from Little and that is a good number. Some kids mission, teamed up with Mike Riffel, Debbie sales rep Gary Esposito, Golf have been attending since the very co-owner/operator of the Fox Ridge Golf USA, Howard Love, Conrade Insurance beginning of the program.” Club to launch what has become a very Group, First Bank of Newton, realtor Gary A group of dedicated volunsuccessful program. The weeklong clinic Hill, Charlsen Insurance, Papa Murteers, made up of coaches and retired consists of four days of small group phy’s, Papa John’s, The Golf Warehouse, coaches from local schools, have been workshops, where children ages 7-18 Wendy’s, Dickey’s BBQ, Dick’s Sporting helping grow and sustain the program practice chipping, putting, and driving, Goods, and Sonic. Donations from local since its inception. Steadman and Riffel and learn the fundamentals of the game. sponsors help provide gift certificates, admit that they wouldn’t be able to run On Friday, the kids enjoy playing the food and snacks, t-shirts, and certificates such a successful program without the course with their families, and showing for program participants. help of the volunteer team. off the skills they learned and practiced “We can’t thank the GCBAA and during the week. “Jenny Gihring is a teacher our sponsors enough,” Riffel said. “The and coach herein Newton,” Steadman “When we first started the proSticks for Kids equipment helps us make said. “Then we’ve got Judy Noller, the gram, we had about 15 or 20 kids,” said the program possible, and the sponsors
At the week-long clinic, children learn the fundamentals of the game and practice hitting, chipping, and putting.
help us raise money to do stuff for the kids. I like to do something for our volunteers, too. Overall, it helps us keep the cost of the program very low so anyone can participate.” Going forward, Steadman and Riffel would like to see the program continue strong, and for participants to leave with an understanding of the fundamentals, as well as an appreciation for the game.
“The most important thing to
us is getting junior golfers interested and started early,” said Riffel. “There are so many other sports that golf has to compete with, but we hope that if these kids are here today, they will come back. It may be tomorrow. It may not be for 10 years, but we hope that when they do come back, we’ve provided them with a solid foundation, so maybe they will want to share the game with their own kids. My vision is to really see golf make its way into the school systems. I had a chance to check out a SNAG Golf system,
and I think it would be a great option if we could find a way to raise funds for a set or two at our local schools. Get the kids interested early, teach them the techniques and fundamentals, and then continue to work with them as they grow.” For more information about the annual clinic and other junior golf opportunities at Fox Ridge Golf Club, visit www.newtonrec.org and www. foxridgegc.com.
The Newton Recreation Commission’s annual Junior Golf Clinic is one of the most popular youth golf education programs in the area. The GCBAA Foundation has proudly supported this Sticks for Kids Program since its inception in 2008.
GCBAA Foundation | 727 0 Street | Lincoln, NE 68508 Tel: 402-476-4444
Fox: 402-476-4489
www.sticksforkids.org