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Sports

July is Family Golf Month at Sportsman's Country Club

The Northbrook Park District helps young golfers learn the lifetime sport

Fresh air, exercise and fun - that’s what can offer young would-be golfers this summer. Owned and operated by The Northbrook Park District, Sportsman’s offers many options to choose from to get your child involved in this lifetime sport.

Greg Baron, director of golf operations at Sportsman’s said the the club's youth programs have made great strides in the last several years. 

“We focus on instilling attributes in kids that are truly important for golf - honesty, integrity, etiquette and rules,” Baron said. “These are skills that will carry them for a lifetime.  And when they are capable, kids and families now have unfettered access to the golf course.” 

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Baron said that the ideal time to introduce children to golf is between the ages of 7 and 10. 

“Play mini golf, let them ride along in the golf cart or take them to the driving range,” he suggested.

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Golf and frustration can go hand in hand so Baron suggested parents stay out of the their child's way when they are first learning the game and every time out is different.

“Golf is like a rollercoaster,” he said.

Baron said he is particularly proud of the PGA of America Family Courses recently installed on the East 9 and at . The courses are geared toward involving the entire family, regardless of skill, and feature shorter holes with distances more suited to young players’ ability levels.  Course yardages, which have been tested and determined by U.S. Kids Golf, reward improvement while reducing the frustration that often comes with beginning golf.  With reduced fees for families, the courses are also an affordable way to enjoy some family fun time.

Among the variety of instructional options available are the Junior Lesson Series with seven levels for ages 5 to 14. These group lessons teach basic fundamentals all the way up to advanced instruction and golfers practice their skills both at the range and on the course.  The focus is on learning golf etiquette and rules while having fun participating in scrambles, match play and even tournaments.

Three Junior Golf Camps are also offered for ages 8 to 14 and are designed as a fun and compact way to expose young players to the game. Private lessons are also available and instructors will assess your child’s needs and come up with an individualized package.

Sportsman’s has several Junior Golf Leagues as well, including a Miniature Golf League for ages 5 to 14. Leagues include the Antesberger Summer Youth League (ages 7 to 14), The East 9 Summer Youth League (ages 12 to 16), The Classic 18 Youth Summer League (ages 12 to 16) and the Youth Summer Travel Leagues (for grades 5 – 9). Supervised league play is a great way for kids to learn the game and practice the etiquette they have learned – such as repairing ball marks and divets and not placing their golf bag on the green or walking ahead of other players who are hitting.

Michael Wenzel, PGA certified director of instruction said he is proud of the changes and additions to the curriculum that have provided young players with more ways to get involved.

“Many of our students have gone on to play golf in high school and college – and of course it’s a lifetime sport,” Wenzel said. 

July is Family Golf Month and Sportsman’s is offering great deals on their Family Courses. Girls can enjoy an introduction to golf during Take your Daughter to the Course Week, which runs through Monday and offers free green fees when playing with a paying adult on the East 9 Course at Sportsman’s and at Anetsberger.  There will also be a free Girls-Only Clinic at Anetsberger from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 Saturday. Call 847-291-2351 ext. 3 to sign up.

For more information or to speak with an instructor, stop by the course or check out their website at www.sportsmansgolf.com

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