Swinging into summer

  • Published
  • By Captain Josie Stewart
  • 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The Eglin Golf Course continued its long-standing tradition by kicking off the summer with the first of many junior golf clinics last week for twenty-six participants from ages seven to 14. The clinic focused on the core fundamentals of stance, grip, posture and swing along with addressing course etiquette, basic rules of golf and safety. A three-hole tournament that included parent participation wrapped up the first summer session. 

According to Katharine Williams, PGA Golf Professional in the Air Force Golf Management Program, the Eglin Golf Course has been offering junior clinics since the 80's. 

"Thanks in large part to Tour players Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam, the face of golf has changed forever," stated Ms. Williams. "Golf continues to grow in popularity especially among younger people. Air Force Golf has always been right in step with these industry trends, expanding and developing programming to accommodate and encourage our younger players. In 2002, the Air Force sponsored the first "Golf for Kids" clinic, and this instructional program continues to this day to be the cornerstone of our junior programming," she continued. 

Instructors for the clinics are retired Lt. Col. James Woodard, Assistant Golf Manager at Eglin Golf Course, who has been a golf professional for 10 years and Katharine Williams. Ms. Williams was the Head Golf Professional at Sugarbush Golf Club in Vermont prior to coming to the Air Force. Throughout her professional career, she has served extensively in a teaching capacity for the First Tee Program and the Tiger Woods Foundation, "Hook a Kid on Golf". She has been with the Eglin Course for the last two years. 

According to Ms. Williams," Mr. Woodard, "Woody", is a magnet to all the kids in our junior programs...they adore him! He has the most amazing way of inspiring greatness from kids through his enthusiasm and positive can-do-anything-you-put-your-mind-to attitude." 

Openings are still available in the following junior programs. Call Eglin Golf Course, 882-2949, to register. All classes are held at the Eglin AFB Golf Course. 

· Eglin AFB's first Mom and Kids Golf Camp. July 7-10 from 5-7 p.m. Grandmothers and grandchildren are also welcome. Children must be ages 8-16 to participate. Moms and kids will receive instruction separately and play together on the final day of camp. Cost is $30 per student.
· July Weekend Junior Golf Clinic. July 12 - 13 from 9am-2pm. for youth ages 7-17 years of age. Clinic covers lessons from a PGA Professional, golf etiquette, safety, rules of golf, golf goodies and a three-hole tournament. Lunch is included both days. Cost is $60 per student.
· Junior Golf Clinic. July 28-30 from 9-11 am and July 31 from 10am to noon. The program is for youth ages seven to 17 and includes lessons, golf etiquette, rules of golf, golf goodies and a three-hole tournament with parent participation. The class is limited to 25 students and the cost is $40 per student.
· Junior Golf Classic Tournament. This Annual Eglin Junior Golf Classic is scheduled for July 23. Tee times start at 7:30 a.m. Cost is $30 a player and includes a hamburger lunch. Competition is in three age groups - ages 8-10, 11-13 and 14-17. The 8-10 years age group will play nine holes. 

"Perhaps I am a bit biased, but golf is the greatest, most challenging game on earth," remarked Ms. Williams. "It's one of the few sports you can participate in across a lifetime. I don't know many 90-year-old basketball players, but I do know a lot of 90-year-old golfers. 

According to Ms. Williams, golf transcends sports entertainment. "We are here to create meaningful experiences, touch the lives of our young people, and instill in others the passion we have for the game that has so deeply enriched our lives. The icing on the cake is that we get to do this for our military and their families; it's a small way of giving something back."