July 05, 2009 12:01 am
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They arrive in waves.
Dozens of young boys and girls lugging oversized golf bags are followed by even more dozens as they walk across the Rangeline Golf Center parking lot, around the partitioned permanent practice stations and onto the grassy area at the far end of the range where instructors and volunteers wait.
It is Monday morning and time for the Joplin Golf Foundation’s junior golf program.
What could devolve into chaos is given organization when Mike Wheeler, director of the Joplin Golf Foundation’s program, starts dividing the youngsters into groups of 20 to 25 each. The kids quickly move off to assigned areas with the instructors.
On this particular Monday morning, the driver — or the ‘big dog’ as some instructors and youngsters call it — is the focus of the lesson.
This scene is pretty much repeated every Monday from early June through July at Rangeline Golf Center, where the free golf lessons are given. Because of the Fourth of July holiday, no sessions are planned on Monday. But the program will pick up again the next week.
According to Wheeler, more than 225 boys and girls have enrolled in the program and between 150 and 175 will show up on any given Monday. Every week there are a few late registrants who either didn’t know about the program or are visiting the community.
Although large, the numbers are manageable. That is a tribute to the dedication of a team of instructors led by Doug Adams, head pro at Twin Hills Golf and Country Club, his assistant Chris Redman, Lady Eagles golf coach Shannon Rhinehart and a cadre of some of the area’s top amateurs. Volunteers handle everything from checking in players to checking out golf clubs, and from making certain each boy or girl is in the correct group to handing out water and fruit juice to thirsty kids.
There have been members of high school golf teams offering to help, too. On this day, three players from Webb City were working with the youngsters.
A golf tournament for program participants is scheduled Monday, July 20, at Rangeline Golf Course. Youngsters are being asked to sign up early and parents are being sought to serve as scorers. Volunteers also will be stationed at every hole.
Although Wheeler is happy with the way the program is progressing, he isn’t satisfied. “There are always in my mind things we can do better and things we can do differently,” he says. “For instance, next year we will have three sessions rather than two. And we’ll do the sign-up differently.”
What he has in mind is concentrating on getting an optimum number of youngsters in each group.
“We may have the first 50 or 60 who sign up in the first session, and then we’ll start on session two,” he added. “It may not be based on age, but on the right number for us.” The purpose is to provide more instruction time for each youth.
What has made this program such a success is that it is a win-win bargain for parents and for kids. There is no charge. The instruction is handled by professionals and top amateurs. Participants also get discounts on buckets of range balls and rounds of golf at Rangeline Golf. And, at the year-end party on July 27, sets of clubs may be given away to youngsters who have shown promise and interest.
Another major upgrade envisioned by Wheeler for next year would involve offering a “handful of professional lessons” free to youngsters that the staff thinks would most benefit. The golf foundation already pays to send a couple of youngsters each summer to the University of Arkansas golf camp.
“We can’t do any of this without the help of people,” said Wheeler. “It takes money. We have to have someone like Alan (Schmidt, owner of Rangeline Golf) and Garry Lee (who operated Garry’s Golf Center until earlier this year) who are willing to give up their facilities and allow us to use their golf balls without charge.
“People want to help kids. I’m convinced of that. If they’re allowed to do it on a volunteer basis and shown respect for doing that, they will come out.”
That much is obvious on Monday mornings as more than 100 kids bang golf balls on the driving range under the supervision of two dozen or so volunteers and instructors who are donating their time and expertise to give the youngsters an introduction to a game that can last a lifetime.
On the road
A key addition to the Joplin Golf Foundation’s program this year has been the enclosed trailer donated by one of the volunteers. It has been adapted to hold up to 500 golf clubs in racks. The clubs are graphite-shafted and specifically built for juniors for varying sizes and ages.
Having the trailer and clubs may allow the Joplin program to expand into other communities. Wheeler hopes to take the trailer to Monett where a couple of former Missouri Southern golfers will put on a clinic for youngsters and allow them to hit golf balls.
Twin Hills Invitational
There is a new flight being introduced for the 57th annual Twin Hills Invitational, a 36-hole seniors division for players 55 and older. The seniors field will be limited to the first 32 paid entries.
The format calls for all regular field players to compete in a 54-hole event Friday, July 24, through Sunday, July 26. Seniors will play Friday and Saturday, July 24-25. Prizes will be awarded in the senior division after completion of 36 holes of play.
Entry fee for the 54-hole championship, one of the oldest in the area, is $275. Four horse races, including one for seniors, are scheduled Thursday, July 23.
Garrett Logan, Las Vegas, Nev., will be attempting to become the sixth back-to-back champion in the tournament’s long history. Others are Rodney Horn of Kansas City (1965, 66, 67), Boyd Downey of Joplin (1990-1991), Wayne Fredricks of Springfield (1992-1993), Robert Russell of Joplin (1995-1996) and Rick Bell of Norman, Okla., (1999-2000).
Best-ball event
Entries are being accepted for the fourth annual 2-man best ball tournament on Aug. 8-9 at Peoria Ridge Golf Club.
Entry fee is $260 per two-man team. Teams will be competing for $10,000 in prizes, including a set of irons per player for first place in five flights, based on a full field. Other prizes include drivers for second, $200 gift certificates for third, $150 gift certificates for fourth, $100 gift certificates for fifth, Titleist Vokey wedges for sixth, $50 gift certificates for seventh and Titleist duffel bags for eighth.
Entries and payments should be mailed to Peoria Ridge Golf Course, 10301 S. 600 Rd., Miami, Okla. 74354. The entry deadline is Aug. 6. Tee time requests for the first day of the tournament will be honored in the order of paid entries. More additional information, call (918) 542-7676.
Junior tournament
The annual Harold Kirk Junior Golf Tournament is scheduled Thursday, July 23, at Schifferdecker Municipal Golf Course. It is open to golfers age eight to 17.
The tournament will be divided into boys and girls divisions with age brackets of 8-10, 11-13, 14-15 and 16-17. Parents are being asked to serve as scorers.
The entry fee is $5. Checks should be made payable to the Joplin Golf Foundation, 506 S. Schifferdecker, Joplin, Mo. 64804. The deadline for entering is July 21.
Officials report a dress code will be in effect: No tank tops, no halter tops and no cutoff jeans.
Address correspondence to Clair Goodwin at sports@joplinglobe.com.
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