Giving Back

by Sean Saunders

I was on the move this week working with Phys. Ed. programs at two private schools in Springfield. It reminded me of why I love my profession and enjoy helping the youth. The best reward of being a PGA Professional is teaching a game to juniors that soak up the information you give them and gain an interest in golf. The classes I helped teach were only 30 to 45 minutes long so I was only able to teach the students the basics, such as grip, aim, set-up, and the difference between the baseball/softball swing and the golf swing. Going to the schools and getting to know the students is an effective way to promote Swing Right. Many of the students don’t want to play on a golf course yet, but they enjoy playing a round of miniature golf or hitting balls on our driving range. Swing Right offers the youth a fun place to learn and enjoy different areas of golf with their family.

I also want to get the youth involved in a game they can enjoy playing for the rest of their lives and possibly receive a college scholarship. I was fortunate to work with the state champion in Iowa and see him go to college on a golf scholarship. He was a sponge and worked diligently on the techniques and mental approaches to the game. It gave me confidence to know my teaching philosophy and style helped him excel.

Many kids aren’t introduced to golf because it is expensive to play or they just don’t get the opportunity to play so they pick up another sport that is more convenient. I haven’t touched a basketball, baseball, or football since college when I played intramurals because they are team sports and you have to get everyone together to play. With golf, all I have to do is fire up the simulators at Swing Right and play a quick nine at Pebble Beach or Torrey Pines. I don’t have to worry about not being able to walk because I blew out my knee from trying to fake out my buddy on the basketball court. I love sports as much as the next guy, but I like getting out of bed without feeling like I got in a fight. I also see the majority of our youth spending the majority of their time on the computer or playing video games. Educating parents to invest in golf for their kids is a great way to help their children be more active and not get hurt like in other physical sports. Carrying your clubs for a round of golf is a workout. It is also a lot of fun being outside and enjoying the outdoors. An organization called the First Tee helps inner city youth get the opportunity to learn how to play golf and also teaches them about life lessons. A website that would be of interest to youth in southwest Missouri that would benefit from the First tee is http://www.thefirsttee.org/club/scripts/section/section.asp?NS=FL.