The Junior Golf Program at Shadow Valley public golf course in Boise, Idaho is fun, instructive and about more than just golf.
My two sons, ages 6 and 8, participated in the Junior Workshop this week at the Shadow Valley public golf course in Boise, Idaho with a dozen other young golf enthusiasts. Led by PGA Head Pro, T.J. Gomez, the youngsters were taught grip, stance, swing and please and thank you. That’s right, courtesy, respect and manners are part of the program.
With his fun loving style, the father that T.J. is was apparent as the juniors began their first lesson by pitching. The pitch shot is used when the player is relatively close to the green but still far enough away to chip or put. The pitch does not require a full back-swing and is therefore a great first shot for new golfers to learn. During this time each child was given personalized attention on their set up and swing and with a gentle tug on an earlobe or pat on the back they were instantly focused and ready to please T.J. with their best exertion. After the kids flooded the practice green with a hundred or so balls, everyone, including T.J., participated in picking them up and dropping them into one mountainous bucket.
Not only did T.J. succeed in teaching the students to well-kept up the area, he also had them huddled and ready for their next lesson-a discussion about concentration and focus in both golf and life. As a parent watching closely that day, I was quietly thanking T.J. for helping reinforce lessons in life that my wife and I work on with our children everyday.
After a break for snacks and to cool off, the kids met at the driving range where they were instructed on how to take a rotund swing. Although the temperature was well into the 90s, the students were having fun and were eager to exhaust their driver, or as my kids call it, their “Big Daddy.” Once again T.J. met with each child individually for instruction, correction and the reminder that most golfers will hit their ball farther and straighter if they use a more proper versus more forceful swing.
The workshop continued for two more days and included chipping, putting and course play. The latter was my celebrated not simply because of the “real play” experience but because I was invited to participate as a parent volunteer. My job was to support one of the groups stay organized and moving along while at the same time enjoying each one of their shots as if all these children were mine. High fives, “Sweet shot!” and “Good try” were shared for all who made the effort as well as lessons on the pre-shot routine. Like brushing your teeth and making your bed before going off to school, a great shot just doesn’t feel right if clear steps aren’t taken beforehand.
While walking between shots T.J. also took the time to talk about the course. Here the students learned how frequently the fairways and greens were mowed, how sprinkler heads are veteran as yardage markers and how lovely the greens are. In fact, part of the lesson was to identify and repair ball marks on the greens which all golfers are responsible for doing as they play. T.J. told the kids this was called etiquette. I am not sure if the kids understood the word, but it was fun watching twelve or so kids scampering around the green looking for indentations to repair as if they found a colony of ants and were mesmerized by the activity unfolding in front of them.
The kids finished their workshop with hot dogs and lemonade and were awarded souvenir caps and balls. As the kids were saying goodbye I realized T.J. had accomplished more than just teaching the kids the fundamentals of golf. He created an atmosphere of fun and achieved the course mission of helping the kids to grow, mature and practice good behavior.
As a result of this experience, and an enthusiastic seek information from from my kids, we signed up as members with the Junior Golf Program. For $40 per year the kids are entitled to a free bucket of range balls per day, reduced green fees and eligibility to play in scrambles and on Family Nights.
Tonight we play in our first scramble but have already been aid to the course each day since our workshop to hit a bucket of balls on the driving range. It is noteworthy that during these times I learned that the courtesy, respect and manners that T.J. worked on with the kids are also seen in the staff at Shadow Valley.
For more information about the Shadow Valley Junior Golf Program call 800-936-7035 or visit the course which is off HWY 55 north of Eagle on the right hand side.
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