PEBBLE BEACH (July 13, 2009) – A group of 12 youth from Friendship Baptist Church in Seaside gathered at Spyglass Hill practice facility for their second golf lesson with teachers from the Pebble Beach Golf Academy.

“I am Tiger Woods,” could be heard from one of the kids on the putting green, “I just made a hole-in-one,” yelled a girl with delight as she rolled in a putt.

For many of the youth participating in the clinic it was their first time on a putting green. The students learned about creating patterns of success, not just in golf but also in life and were encouraged to ask questions and be open to learning.

“I like putting better than the driving range,” said 14-year-old Chantelle, “it’s really good, I find it relaxing.” Since their last lesson, the students had a practice session on the driving range to put to use the skills they learned the last time they hit the turf.

The youth will have the opportunity to attend about half a dozen more clinics throughout the summer and fall. The lessons are made possible by the generous donations from NCGA Foundation donors.

PEBBLE BEACH (June 9, 2009) – For some of the kids, who ranged in age from 9-12, it was their first exposure to the game. Pebble Beach Director of Instruction Laird Small led the clinic, which included a tour of Spyglass Hill’s pro shop and practice facility and instruction on swing basics.

Life skills and the importance of goals and school were also discussed at length during the clinic, all part of the Foundation’s mission in enriching the lives of kids through golf.

Kids received a case of balls and a wedge at the end of the three-hour session.

“It is pretty cool to be here. The best part was hitting past the flag. It was awesome to get a new golf club and balls, I can play with my friends now,” said Jhailyn Byrant, age 9. “The  teacher told me to turn my spine and not my whole body when swinging.”

“I learned how to swing the right way and it made me want to play,” said CJ Garrett, age 9. “It was fun to get a club because I can now practice at home. The people here are very nice because they helped me hit the golf ball the right way.”

Vitaminwater contributed product for the clinic, which was presented by the NCGA Foundation.

Sponsorship is available for future clinics by contacting the NCGA Foundation, which will stage more than 10 similar events throughout 2009.

The award-winning NCGA Foundation has made a national name for itself through its Youth on Course Program. The charitable arm of the NCGA subsidizes rounds of golf and buckets of range balls for deserving youth in the region allowing junior golfers to play for only $2 a round. The Foundation subsidized 30,000 rounds and 30,000 buckets of balls in 2008 and that number may triple this year alone.

For more information, visit the NCGA Foundation website.

This article was filed under Front Page News.
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