“Golf: Youngest women's golf team” plus 2 more

Golf: Youngest women's golf team
Golf Gti with Air Con and 10 month Mot in really good....
Golf program introduces children to game

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 12:29 PM PDT

New Zealand Golf has named a strong men's team and their youngest women's team for October's biennial world teams championships in Argentina.

The women will contest the Espirito Santo Trophy in Buenos Aires from October 20-23 and the men play for the Eisenhower Trophy from October 28-31.

The women's team will be led by 15-year-old Cecilia Cho (Auckland) with 13-year-old Lydia Ko (Gulf Harbour) and 22-year-old Caroline Bon (Whangarei).

The men's team is headed by Masterton's Ben Campbell who is joined by Ryan Fox (Auckland) and Peter Spearman-Burn (Wellington).

"We believe we have two very strong teams to represent New Zealand Golf at both the Eisenhower and Espirito Santo events," New Zealand Golf high performance manager, Simon Poll said.

"These six players have stood out with their on-course and off-course results."

Eisenhower Trophy: Ben Campbell (Masterton GC), Ryan Fox (Royal Auckland GC), Peter Spearman-Burn (Miramar GC). Reserve: Nick Gillespie (Royal Wellington GC).

Espirito Santo Trophy: Cecilia Cho (Pakuranga CC), Lydia Ko (Gulf Harbour CC), Caroline Bon (Whangarei GC). Reserve: Emily Perry (Lochiel GC). NZPA

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Golf Gti with Air Con and 10 month Mot in really good....

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 07:08 AM PDT

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Golf program introduces children to game

Posted: 04 Aug 2010 11:16 AM PDT

August 4, 2010

Golf program introduces children to game

By SUSAN TEBBEN Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW — For many, the golf course brings up images of the business elite and upper class afternoons on meticulously manicured greens. But for Johnny Belcher, the images are of kids hitting beach balls and tennis balls with clubs, before they actually get to hit a golf ball and play a few holes.

Belcher, along with some anonymous donors, has been leading the Tee-to-Green of Barren County since May. Started after a "very successful businessman" neighbor approached Belcher about the program, Tee-to-Green of Barren County helps children learn to play the game of golf, and in turn, learn more about themselves, what they can do with their lives and how to interact with other children.

"Sure, we teach them how to swing the club and hit the ball, but it's not as much teaching them the game as teaching the kids to see the value of golf through business, socialization, friendship and all those things that are needed in life," he said.

The kids, ages 9 to 12, came into the program after Belcher made the rounds to the Boys and Girls Club of Glasgow-Barren County and other organizations around town asking if any children wanted to participate. He brings mentors — successful business people like lawyers, bankers and doctors — to partner with the children and help them through the program. When they meet on Mondays there are speakers, usually professional golfers, that discuss with the children what happened in their lives, how golf helped them and what they can do in their lives to improve every day.

"A lot of the kids didn't know you could get your college paid for by playing golf or how much golf can impact their lives," said Belcher, a retired Glasgow High School guidance counselor who has taught golf to children for most of his life.

They do get some perks that even the country club members don't get, like iced down towels with almond extract on them, which professionals get at major tournaments. Through anonymous donors, the kids received state-of-the-art TaylorMade golf clubs to use throughout the program, which will be used by other program members next year and into the future. Whatever prize Belcher can come up with — whether it be a box of golf balls he won at a tournament or a new backpack — he provides incentive for the kids to stay competitive and keep their attention on learning the camaraderie, the social aspects and the overall benefits of a day at the golf course. The game comes after all of that, but the children have kept their eye on that as well.

Some of the youngest players in the Tee to Green have shown the most promise, including some that had never touched a golf club in their lives before now. But mainly, it is just a game and a way to get outside for them.

"It's fun" was the simple way Meagan Boss, 7, explained why she liked coming every Monday to swing the clubs. Her favorite part is driving off the fairways, she said. Her 10-year-old sister Mariah is also part of the program and enjoys it as much as her sister. Warren Hoffman, 9, said he enjoyed how educational the program was.

"We get to play golf and I like hitting it over the water," said Nelson Cole, 9. "I like coming. Mondays are nice."

When talking to Belcher, Cole said he looks forward to Mondays because of the program.

The program is growing steadily, with room for 20 students and its own advisory board. But Belcher does not have plans to slow down. In fact, his five year plan is to find a piece of land in Glasgow and open his own golf course with minimal greens fees so that the children like the ones in the program can play whenever they feel like it. He also wants to become a part of the First Tee national program. No matter what, he plans to keep the program going.

"Sometimes it will bring tears to your eyes to see the kids, like when we had a putting competition and one of the girls ... landed a 30-footer. Everyone started shouting and cheering and I was off in the back bawling," Belcher said.

He has caddied for professional players before, including a stint in the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tournament. When he was asked if that was one of the best moments of his life, it was easy for him to say no.

"My favorite thing in the world is to see a kid get the ball air born for the first time," Belcher said. "That's a great moment."

Getting kids hooked on the game is what he loves to do because he has never seen a golfer that wasn't also a good kid. Professional golf instructors and avid lifetime golfers have come out of the program, but he has yet to see a bad person come out of it.

"It's one of the good things to come out of the Glasgow Golf and Country Club and it proves that this place isn't a snotty place, they really want to help the kids and they do a lot for the local school teams and kids in the community." Belcher said. "It's just a good environment for them to be in."

The mentors are taking about as much out of it as the kids, Belcher said. The mentors are glad to agree.

"It's been very rewarding for me personally to see the kids' improvement over the course of the program. This is a very good thing," said Mike Chestnut, a semi-retired pharmacist and member of the Golf and Country Club. His wife is also a mentor in the program.

The program will be around as long as Belcher can help it, and keep steadily becoming a part of kids lives.

"We'll keep growing and we'll keep helping kids out," Belcher said. "I have no doubt."

This year's group of players will have their last session at the Glasgow Golf and Country Club next Monday evening.

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Golf Zone

Wednesday, August 4, 2010