Children practices chipping during a junior golf camp at the Golf Center, Wednesday, July 4, 2018. BRIAN HAYES/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Chautauqua Golf Club’s Junior Golf Clinics are all about fun and teaching kids how to play golf. The first session of the golf clinics was July 3 and Thursday, July 5, at the Golf Learning Center, but there will be more held Weeks Four and Six.
Logan Ludwig, 11, has been golfing since he was 6 years old. He came to the clinic so he could keep practicing the sport. Logan’s grandfather first introduced him to golf, a sport he now likes.
Logan’s goal for golf is “not epically failing when I go on golf trips with my family.” He said he enjoyed the clinic.
“It’s fun, and I know most of this stuff,” Logan said.
The clinics try to plant a seed in the kids early to foster a love of golf that they will carry throughout their lives.
“It’s nice to get them involved early,” said Zac Levenstein, assistant golf pro. “I like teaching them, and being able to give back is always good.”
Reed Maier is 11 years old and has been golfing since he was 7. Reed got into the sport because he was given a set of clubs and his dad has always played.
“I like going out on the course and being with other kids,” Reed said. “Golf is a sport I can play more than any others, and you can just come out any day and whack few balls any time.”
Reed plans to play for his school team and believes the clinics will help him prepare.
The clinic provides strategies and tips that will take the kids to the next level. They also give the kids experience on golf courses that professionals play on.
Levenstein said the biggest takeaway for the kids should be “Life skills. Just practicing, being committed and staying active.”
For Reed, his biggest takeaway is simple: “Be a better golfer.”
