As we celebrate our junior golfer of the year and junior golf in general , I ’ d like to do a bit of the same as well . I have gone through the entire cycle of junior golf in my time . I ’ ve been a participant and administrator of camps , tournaments , and initiatives that promote the game to our youth , and I have very fond memories in both roles .
My dad used to always say that all good country clubs have good greens and junior programs . This is true in many ways , not only for private clubs , but public facilities as well . What better way to ensure your businesses future than to mentor and grow the clientele . An active junior program can do just that .
My memories of junior golf are vivid and hold a special place in my heart . While my first love was baseball , my father introduced to golf at a very young age . He used to brag that I played my first hole , a par five at Bay Springs Country Club , and made a 24 on it at 3 years old . I ’ m sure the facts may be a bit skewed , but nevertheless , I had begun my golf life .
When I was growing up well before travel sports started we played all sports during the appropriate season . Football in the fall , basketball during the winter , and baseball in the spring . That left the summer for golf . Most of my friends that I played with were members of Northwood
Country Club in Meridian . This wonderful place has a rich history of developing juniors . At one time in the late 60s , the Ole Miss golf team roster was nearly made up completely of guys who grew up playing at Northwood .
During my high school years , which included a state championship in my junior year , our entire team was constructed from the junior program of Northwood . Recent Gulf States PGA Hall of Fame inductee Jimmy Gamblin was the PGA professional at the time , and he was well known for his junior golf mentoring . I was actually not a member there but during the season , the team could practice at the club for which I was very grateful . Those times playing with my best friends will always be some of the best memories .
Other great times I can remember were playing in summer junior events . I wish I would ’ ve practiced a bit harder back then , but we all know youth is wasted on the young . It ’ s funny how I can remember chipping in on hole 7 at Briarwood for par as an 8-year-old in a junior interclub match versus my buddies at Northwood , but I can ’ t remember what my wife asked me to do 15 minutes ago . We ended up winning that match by a shot .
Junior golfers of Mississippi during our time also had a great junior tour to play during the early 1980s called the Dr . Pepper Junior Tour . Some of my mentors in the PGA such as Butch Brooks , Ken Lindsey and Robbie Webb provided the legwork for us to enjoy summer golf .
Today ’ s junior golfers have numerous opportunities to enjoy golf at every level . All the major golf organizations have made their number one priority to grow the game among boys and girls . Opportunities such as Drive , Chip , and Putt and the
PGA Junior Golf League have taken off like rocket ships in popularity not only for the skilled junior golfer but most importantly for the newcomer . US Kids and USSSA tours are flourishing .
The Kelly Gibson Junior Golf Tour , started by PGA Tour veteran Kelly Gibson , provides an affordable schedule for local juniors to compete . The Gulf States Section , along with both the Louisiana and Mississippi Golf Associations , have their own championships to participate in as well . Another southeast junior tour many local kids play is the Arrowhead Tour , and ultimately , the AJGA is a national junior tour where the best of the best develop their skills .
Kids have lots of activities and options at their disposal to occupy their time . The leaders of golf are certainly doing their part to provide access and resources . I would encourage all parents and grandparents to expose kids to golf in some form . Whether they fall in love with the game or not , it ’ s a great way for you to spend some family time .
It ’ s also amazing to me how junior golf can stick as well . When I have given lessons to those who have never played versus those who haven ’ t played in years but did a junior camp or two growing up , the little bit of golf makes a big difference when starting up again . I ’ m grateful my dad dragged me out to the course as a kid . Maybe it was the only way my mom would let him go as well , but 40 years later , I ’ m still hacking at it . However , I am doing a little better than the 24 I made on my first hole .
Jake
Jake Narro , PGA professional , head golf coach at Southeastern Louisiana University and Backspin publisher
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