stateofgolf
by Amber Narro
doing well ... and doing good
family
events
PGA League Team Jackson
Golf has taken a hit since
2008. And here in the Gulf States
Section, it took a couple of belowthe-belt punches. In addition to a
struggling economy, hurricanes left
splinters behind them, devastating
some clubs to closure
even before times got
tough for the entire
country. While the
Gulf States was already
rebuilding, it would take
determination and the
love of the game to keep
golf going.
ladies
programs
20
In the August/September issue
of Backspin, we took a look back at
Hurricane Katrina. It was difficult
for many of the professionals in
the area to relive, and the staff at
Backspin was careful to honor the
wishes of those who just couldn’t
talk about it. Devastating was a
word used over and over again.
But in 2016, we’re a decade
beyond that hurricane and heading
toward a bright future. Increased
sales and rounds in 2015 point
to growth in the game and a
reinvigoration of the passion for the
little white ball.
“2015 was a good year,”
said Jimmy Headrick, local U.S.
Kids Golf Tour Tournament
Director. “The U.S. Kids Golf
Tour expanded from 16 to 32
tournaments, year round. Our last
tournament had children from as
far as the panhandle of Florida,
Tuscaloosa, Jackson, Shreveport
and Lake Charles.”
The PGA League kicked into
high gear in the summer of 2015
with Tim Basel’s Team Jackson
traveling to the Southeast Regional
event. Headrick says he will
continue to look for big things from
his team in 2016 as well.
Kim Gianatsus at Hammond
Golf Center
also
has
a
Junior
League. In
addition, he
has
hosted
night
golf
events
at
his
facility.
Like others across the section, he
hosts clinics for women and also
is working to grow the game with
innovative tournaments and events.
According to Jabir Bilal at Joseph
M. Bartholomew Sr. Golf Course in
New Orleans, rounds increased by
15 percent at the facility. At 28,000
rounds strong in 2015, Balil says
he has some lofty goals for 2016 as
junior
league