JGOP 1.1 Junior Golf of Pekin

The Junior Golf of Pekin program is comprized of volunteers who want to share their passion for golf with kids ages four to sixteen. They use 12' by 3' sections of astro turf donated by Vonderheide Floor Coverings of Pekin. With the help of the www.kidsgolffoundation.org they were provided Snag Golf Clubs for use until they could raise the money to buy their own. Everything is portable and can be put in a bag and taken to any location by car. The four basic fundamentals of golf are taught: putting, chipping, pitching and full swing. The carpet has a 2 inch white painted line on each end with two white dots about 40 inches apart. The Snag Putter has a paint brush that attaches to it, so that a brush stroke motion can be taught to the child when putting. When chipping the child is taught to use the putting stroke and chip the ball onto the place matt and let it roll out. The pitch shot is taught with use of a snagazoo, which gives a reinforcing souncd when the wrists are cocked properly on the back swing. They must have the correct posture (knees flexed and bent at the waist) so they can turn and hand the Snagazoo back to the instructor before cocking wrists. The full swing is an extension of the pitch swing with concentration on keeping the toe of the club pointed up when taken back. The snapper can be used so the child can hear the snap when the wrists release at the bottom of the swing. They are pitching to a bullseye and full swing ball flight should go over it. The children are asked to roll or toss the ball the way they intend to hit it before each fundamental. These videos are at the Boys & Girls Club in Pekin, Illinois. The kids would normally be playing video games but now the game of golf has piqued their interest. Once the kids have done it six times, we ask the parents or guardian to do it with them once. The kids will then be eldgible for a set of golf clubs and course access fees through grants, sponsors and fundraisers. We started the program December 15th, 2009 and as of April 9th, 2010 we will have introduced nearly 1000 kids to golf through the Boys & Girls Club, Wilson, C B Smith, Sunset, Faith Baptist, LaSalle Schools and Tazewell County latch key program.
It is so rewarding to see how the kids have enjoyed golf the first indoor season. The talent that has been discovered is incredible and Pekin Park District along with The Clubs at Sunset Hills have embraced the opportunity to provide Hook A Kid on Golf programs for the kids. It could not been accomplished without the help of the following volunteers that showed up and helped:
Kent Ayers,Jerry Bonnett, Sharon Bonnett, Randy Dixon, Mike Dralle, Kate Dunkelbarger, Lucy Elliot, Don Harris, Keith Dunkelbarger, Dianne Gresham, Steve Heisel, Elke Huff, Dave Johnson, Rich Lee, Jerry Minch, Pat Minch, Curt Minkel, Larry Moreland, Bob Neal, Chris Neville, Jerry O Blenness, Ray Reardon, Ken Seest, Corky Stagg, Bonnie Schmidt, Jeff Theleritis, Rick Turley, Dodi Wacker, Brian Ward, Carrie Ward and DeDe Wilt

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Junior
• Golf
• of
• Pekin
• 1.1