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Junior Column
Camps perfect place for kids
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E.J. Clair
Junior editor |
Summer is here and the days are perfect for practicing, learning and playing golf.
Junior golf camps across the Northwest cater to every junior golfer's need, from beginners learning the basics, to the competitive players hoping to reach a new level.
Local city parks and recreation departments, public courses, private country clubs, universities, practice ranges, and resorts offer junior programs ranging from one day, to several mornings per week, to weeklong 12-hour per day resident camps. A day camp might be best for beginners just learning the game. A high school golfer striving to break 85 might prefer an overnight, weeklong camp.
All programs share some similarities: check-in desks with smiling counselors, registration forms and waivers, groups of children and parents nervously fidgeting, nametags, snacks, hats, and high-energy coaches who want their campers to learn and love golf.
Walk in Tom Watson's footsteps
Summer programs present the opportunity
to play Oregon courses not typically available
to the junior golfer. The Reserve Vineyards
and Golf Club in Aloha (www.reservegolf.com),
which plays host to the Jeld-Wen Tradition on
the Champions Tour, and Pumpkin Ridge Golf
Club, the site of the 2003 U.S. Women's Open,
in North Plains (www.pumpkinridge.com) offer
summer camps.
Nike Golf Schools (www.ussportscamps.com) offer weeklong day and resident camps at Heron Lakes and Broadmoor golf clubs, Langdon Farms, and Whistler Golf Club. University of Washington coach Mary Lou Mulflur runs the Washington National Golf Club Nike program.
A typical day
Campers might be evaluated and put into groups based on ability, or age, taught swing mechanics and shot practice, helped with focus, rules, etiquette, good habits, and even trained in technique and routine. Later, all groups might be reorganized perhaps for scramble play on the golf course. Each camp's uniqueness depends on its leaders, duration and location.
More than practice
Coaches utilize technology and plan each day with creative games, inventive techniques and unique ideas to help each golfer reach his or her potential. Learning to read courses, manage emotions and understand strategies benefit young competitors.
For the entire family
Create memorable experiences by combining your family vacation with golf camp. Sunriver (www.sunriverresort.com), Aspen Lakes (www.aspenlakes.com), and Apple Tree (www.appletreeresort.com) offer wonderful family amenities in great environments.
It's not news to our readers in Canada, but the farther north you spend your family's summer vacation, the longer the days you will enjoy together. Nighttime golf under lavender skies is synonymous with summer at Okanagan Valley's Predator Ridge (www.predatorridge.com) and Vintage Hills Golf Course (www.vintage-hills.com).
Spending many summers attending golf camps not only improved my swing, alignment and distance, but energetic coaches and talented instructors taught me the finer points of the game, like balance, club selection and how to think my way through the course.
Perhaps, rather than just heading out to the range and hitting thousands of balls for the next three months, juniors should attend a golf camp and practice the proper techniques.
In addition to suggestions in the brochure, remember the most important thing to bring is the right attitude to learn, practice, and perfect the game.
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