Learning the links
Learning the links
| Master PGA Professional Frank Guastella of Red Fox Run at K.I. Sawyer shows the proper putting grip to participants in a weekly Junior Golf Program at the Marquette County course. Held on Wednesday mornings, the six-week program has involved about 60 youths per session. (Journal photo by Craig Remsburg) |
By CRAIG REMSBURG, Senior Sports Writer
K.I. SAWYER — Steven Ayotte of Gwinn didn’t hesitate when asked what the hardest part of golf is for him.
“Putting,” the 11-year-old sighed. “You have to aim and the green isn’t always flat. It’s going sideways and stuff.
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Ayotte is one of 60 Marquette County youths 4-15 years of age participating in a six-week Junior Golf Program on Wednesday mornings at K.I. Sawyer’s Red Fox Run.
Directed by Master PGA Professional Frank Guastella, the program is in its 12th year.
“We’ve had as many as 120 kids a couple of years ago, but we’re holding steady at 60-70,” Guastella, 54, said. “We’re happy with that.
“The kids are having fun and we get a lot of positive comments not only from the children, but their parents, as well, usually at the close of the clinic.”
That’s when an awards luncheon is held and every participant gets a prize, with some items including autographed pictures or golf scorecards from PGA players.
Each weekly clinic session begins with instruction on specific points of the game from Guastella, pro Evan Haske and Red Fox Run employee Rich Rhoades.
It might include putting, chipping, driving or working on mid-irons at the “learning center” area.
Each instructional session is followed by a contest, like driving the ball the farthest or putting accuracy.
“I was in the driving contest today,” Matthew Stanchina, 8, of Marquette said after a recent session. “I almost won it. If you win, you get a Red Fox Run golf ball.
“It was pretty hard getting the ball closest to the bucket. But I sorta like driving and putting.
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Guastella said he and his staff try to teach each clinic participant the fundamentals of golf, with emphasis on appreciation and respect for the game.
“Golf is something you can play to the grave,” he said. “Unlike other sports, it’s a game you can play forever.”
The instructional sessions are followed by up to nine holes of golf on the Red Fox Run course, depending on a player’s age/experience level.
Parents and other relatives often take part by moderating the action.
“We have great parental involvement,” Guastella said.
A downstate St. Clair native, Guastella said many of the program’s participants have attended the clinic three or four years.
“We don’t stress competition, just learning golf and having fun with it,” Guastella said. “If a child really gets into golf, we hope they get into the Marquette County Junior Golf Association program.
“We hope each kid comes away from here with the basic skills on how to play golf and has an appreciation of the game.”
Not just the participants enjoy the program, he added.
“We (staffers) have a blast with the kids,” Guastella said.
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