Junior golfers teeing off for new season

Young golfers across the Exploits region will be digging out their clubs and heading to the Grand Falls Golf Course next week, as the club's junior golf program is almost ready to get underway.

Golfers will tee off for this year's program on Monday morning and junior co-ordinator and instructor Pete Dobson is anticipating another successful season.

"Hopefully, our membership will stay the same. We've got a very strong junior program here. Last year, we had 56-63 kids, in between that number, but that's one of the higher ones (in the province)," he said. "I just want the kids to enjoy themselves, get out, have some fun, learn a bit about the game and strike a better ball when it's all said and done."

The junior golfers will see three tournaments throughout the season - the Tim Hortons Cup, Junior Club Championships and the Senior-Junior Brown Derby.

Dobson added that the program has been holding strong over the last few years and doesn't expect that to change.

"Our numbers are strong and we've got it divided fairly well," he said.

"We get to spend time teaching with all of the juniors and they also get to spend some time out on the course, the younger ones under constant supervision. We also go to the driving range every Friday for an hour or so."

This year, there will be a slight change in the age group, as Dobson explained that the minimum age requirement for new golfers will be seven years old.

"Last year, we had them as young as five, but it was more babysitting than teaching. The bodies are just not up here to watch them all," he explained. "Anybody who joined last year at five, we're allowing them back again. The younger ones, we move up the tee blocks, so they don't have to drive 250 yards."

The program begins with the fundamentals of the game - grip, aim and setup. Advancement within the program has gone well in years past, said Dobson, and that there has been a great response.

"A lot of people enjoy it and most people come back every year. If anybody is interested in trying it, come on up and give it a go. For the first years, we give them a week or so to see if they're going to stick with it, and if they don't, that's fine. It's a great sport you can play all your life."

For more registration or to register, drop by the Grand Falls Golf Club today or tomorrow (July 2 and 3) to see Dobson before 5 p.m. or call 489-7631. The program runs weekly from Monday-Friday.