This summer, even the smallest of golfers will be able to tee off at the Town of Colonie Golf Course with a new lesson program aimed specifically toward young children.
For the first year, Professional Golfers’ Association of Northeastern New York (PGA NENY) is offering KidsPlay Golf, a program aimed toward teaching kids aged 4 to 15 the basics of golfing. The Drive, Chip and Put Championship also returns for its second year.
KidsPlay Golf is run by PGA professionals and offers the youngest of golfers a chance to learn the basics. The children are given age-appropriate equipment, like clubs with color-coded grips for where to put their hands and inflatable targets.
“It’s very unique in the fact that it’s structured instruction to the game,” said Tracie Warner, PGA NENY executive director. “We have some really fun things that make it really easy, instant access for the kids.”
Four sessions are being offered throughout the summer. The first begins Saturday, July 11, and runs the next two Saturdays until July 25. The second runs for three Sundays starting July 12, before taking a break and starting back up for the first three Saturdays and Sundays in August.
One session, including use of starters’ equipment and three hours on the town golf course each day, is $90.
Each session is open to 24 golfers, but Warner said that no sessions are maxed out yet. The children will be split into specific age groups, one from 4 to 6 years old, another for 7 to 9 years old, so the instruction can be tailored to specific age levels.
Warner said the PGA board of directors felt there was a need to be met for young children, since there were not a lot of programs for kids aged 4 to 9 in the area.
“They felt that was an area that was really lacking,” she said. “We wanted it to be unique and fun for kids that age. We want to keep things short, keep them moving, keep them interested to help foster and keep them interested in the game.”
The young golfers don’t need any experience. PGA professionals will teach the children all aspects of golf, from putting, swinging, pitching and chipping, to golf etiquette and sportsmanship.
Town of Colonie Golf Course Professional Noel Gebauer said the town’s course was an ideal place for PGA to introduce its KidsPlay Golf program.
“We’re completely public access here, and I think that allows (PGA) to reach the biggest pool of young golfers to draw from,” he said. “They have their section office here, they lease from us in our clubhouse, and I think that makes it a natural fit to run their kids golf program here.”
In addition to KidsPlay Golf, the skills-based Drive, Chip and Put Championship will be hosted for the second time this summer. Open for golfers aged 7 to 15, the competition is free to register. Children are awarded points based on a range of skills, with the top three in each group advancing to the next level until the masters competition in 2016.
The first qualifier will be Saturday, July 11, at the Colonie Golf Course, with the second Saturday, July 18, at Saratoga National Golf Course. Warner said already PGA is seeing more registrants than last year.
As well, the Junior Tour, in its 12th year, will once again be held for golfers aged 8 to 18. Golfers are split into three age groups for boys and girls to compete against peers.
For more information on PGA NENY and KidsPlay Golf, go to www.neny.pga.com.
