SPECIAL FOCUS

Introduction continued from page 25 success. Investment is the absolute key. The concept appears so simple; developing ongoing generations of golfers will provide the basis for perpetuation of the game. However, the reality of short-term economics verses long-term Stability provides many organizational dilemmas. Pressures for immediate financial fixes sometimes cloud the need to think about the next generation of players who will be in the position to pay and play. In closing, our thoughts revolve around the future stability and growth of the game. Providing quality instruction in a safe and enjoyable environment is critical as we nurture our next generation of players. Remember, we have both the vehicle and driver necessary to transport this great game into the next century. WILLIAM ClEVENGER is the executive director of the Decatur Park District. RICHARD ANDERSON is the director of golf for the Decatur Park District. Photo above: Youths learn about turf management and olf course care as part of the Chicago Park District - Kemper Lesnik Golf Institute. The program offers high school boys and girls the opportunity to learn about the business aspects of operating a golf course. Photo by Michael Gustafson.

Chicago Park District BY TOM GREY Even before Tiger Woods, the children of Chicago were learning that playing golf is "cool." Over the past five years, the Chicago Park District has been dedicated to increasing and enhancing its junior golf programs throughout Chicago. Last year alone the district conducted 121 junior golf programs and more than 8,000 inner-city youths between the ages of 5 to 17 participated in these free golf programs. Five years ago there were only 400 junior participants. About 85 percent of the juniors that the park district instructs had never been introduced to golf. Now a lot of the same children are coming back for more advanced golf programs. These golf programs include a one-day introduction to golf clinics, five week golf camps, educational programs on the golf business, and junior golf days in which juniors play nine holes on a weekly basis and junior tournaments. Also, last year both Tiger Woods and Senior PGA TOUR player Walter Morgan conducted youth golf clinics at the district. The newest program and probably the most popular offered by the Chicago Park District is its "Junior Golf Days." The district invites youth organizations it has instructed over the years to play golf once a week for five consecutive weeks. Each organization has its own day of the week to play and they bring 24 juniors to play and at least one adult to accompany each group. All the needed equipment is available to the youths. If they do not have a set of clubs, junior sets are available. Also, each week everyone is given two sleeves of golf balls. The golf course is specially set up for the young golfers. Tees are moved forward onto the fairways, par on each hole is increased, special score cards are created, and a weekly tournament is conducted. Each day prizes are awarded to the youths and everyone is given a coupon for free range balls, for practice before the next time they play. This year the Chicago Park District will expand this golf program, and offer it to more youth groups. Another highly successful golf program has been The Chicago Park District - Kemper Lesnik Golf Institute. The main purpose behind the golf institute is to offer high-school-aged boys and girls in Chicago the opportunity to study, learn and understand the business aspects of operating a golf course. Each year two separate programs are offered. One focuses on the daily operations at a golf facility such as staff

26 / Illinois Parks and Recreation

JUNIOR GOLF: INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF THE GAME

duties, customer service practices, opening and closing procedures and much more. The other program trains students on golf course maintenance. In this program the students learn landscaping techniques, proper turf management, how to care for a golf course and other daily duties of a golf course maintenance staff.

Each program consists of 10 to 12 students and meets once a week for five consecutive weeks. The Chicago Park District believes that by giving these boys and girls the chance to understand a business, they will be better prepared to enter the workplace as young adults. The programs strongly encourage responsibility, dedication and positive work habits. It also shows that you do not have to be a golfer to be successful in the golf business.

At the end of the five weeks a final exam is given to the students. The top student in each program is awarded a $1,000 scholarship to continue his or her education. The Chicago Park District also makes all efforts to place as many students as possible who complete the program in a job position at one of the eight Chicago Park District golf facilities. The district believes this golf institute can be a positive alternative for boys and girls in Chicago asthey focus on their future and their role inthe community.

The Chicago Park District is committedto providing Chicago youth with a varietyof recreational opportunities, includinggolf. There is never a fee associated withany junior golf program the districtconducts. This ensures that any youth whowishes to learn how to play golf can. 

TOM GREY
is the marketing director for Kemper Golf Management- Chicago, which manages the Chicago Park District's six public courses.

Peoria Park District

BY WILLIAM P. WOOLARD AND MERIDITH ZUCCO

The Peoria Park District board oftrustees, Ad Hoc Golf Advisory Committee and staff identified the need for a golflearning experience in our 1993 GolfMaster Plan. Careful investigation ofexisting facilities and budget planningbegan almost immediately. As planningdeveloped and time passed, we identifiedseveral areas to address. We had outgrownour present range and teaching facilities.The interest in golf had skyrocketed inPeoria, as in the rest of the world. Andlast, but far from least, junior programming was growing by leaps and bounds.Many of our junior programs were atcapacity and growth was being limited byavailable rime at our five existing golfcourse facilities.

With these challenges in mind, we set out to increase the skill level and diversity of ourcustomers and to encourage play from new target groups such as children, women, minorities, the physically challenged and those who are financially disadvantaged. Ourcommunity's diverse socio-economic profile affords an opportunity to introduce golf tothese new target audiences, as well as to provide programs to children who face challengesrelative to both physical and financial handicaps. We believe that, through golf, we can leadchildren to choose positive role models and pastimes while learning new lifetime skills.

In consideration of these beliefs, our staff contacted Carl Donner, programs administrator for the United States Golf Association (USGA) Foundation. He encouraged us to applyfor a grant to assist with the development of a Learning Center and Academy area,dedicated to increasing diversity and programming among the socio-economically disadvantaged youth in our community. Staff and a grant consulting firm presented a comprehensiveplan for a unique golf facility to the USGA Foundation. The plan spelled out our multidimensional golf program for a diverse population in which: 1) 57 percent of the childrenin our public school system live below the poverty level, 2) last year our communityintroduced a free bus pass system to assist with our transportation needs, and 3) we cancapture the enthusiasm of our youth to introduce the game to other participants within the community.

We further explained that the Peoria Park District and the USGA could build anoutstanding and unique facility that would introduce a new dimension of golf learning toour region. The new facility could also serve as a demonstration site for other communitiesthat face similar needs. Because we are a crossroad of cultural and economic diversity, Peoriais an ideal testing ground, which explains the phrase, "Will it play in Peoria?".

By year's end, the Peoria Park District was awarded a grant in the amount of $100,000toward our youth golf program and project. The grant affirms the USGA's commitment togrowth, preservation and protection of the game of golf.

Peoria Park District programs such as Hook-A-Kid on Golf, First Swing, DetweillerDrivers Children's Golf Club and lesson programs, now offered at remote sites, will beimplemented at the Golf Academy. The center will allow expansion of these existingprograms, as well as new program development.

May/June 1998 / 27

SPECIAL FOCUS

The Peoria Park District's Hook-A-Kid on Golf program currently serves 60 inner city minority youth ages 7 to 17 in two sessions during June and July. The youngsters receive clubs, balls, shirts and visors to keep and use in the future. It is our hope to find children who will like golf to the extent that they will find the desire or develop the natural gift and dedication it takes to become one of golf's great players. Offering this program at me Learning Center and Academy will enable our staff to increase diversity as well as reach out to more socio-economically disadvantaged participants. The increase in teaching space will also allow the district to offer the program to an expanded area of the community.

Additionally, beginning in 1998, the Peoria Park District will offer free-of- charge to the student an opportunity to involve a parent or guardian in the game with them. Youth and their parents will be offered a lesson series free of charge; upon completion, our staff will conduct a teaching seminar to encourage continuing adult involvement. With adult involvement, encouragement for future family participation in golf will be developed.

The district's First Swing program, aimed at enhancing curiosity for the game of golf, will be expanded to two additional "Title One" schools in the spring of 1998. Involvement with the public school system enables our staff to expand our contact with students early in the season; the goal is to enhance their curiosity for the game and to help them further utilize our summer programming.

The Detweiller Drivers Children's Golf Club was initiated in 1996. In 1997, the program expanded to offer 150 children ages 3 to 11 the opportunity to play golf on a weekly basis. It is by far one of the most successful programs we have offered in the Golf Division to date, and we plan to expand time availability when we relocate it to the Learning Center. The proposed 9-hole "pitch and putt" course that will be part of the Learning Center will be invaluable to this program as it will improve the new golfers comfort level before he or she hits the links.

Our existing lesson programs for junior golfers are at capacity, and will also have the opportunity to be expanded with the advent of the Learning Center. Lesson programs for special populations, begun in 1994 in conjunction with the Heart of Illinois Special Recreation Association, will also utilize the increased space and amenities offered at the center.

The Peoria Park District recently held its official ground-breaking ceremonies for the Learning Center and Academy. The number in attendance was representative of the enthusiasm throughout the community for the project, and media coverage of the event was extensive. Grand opening is planned for spring of 1999.

In Peoria, the golf program never ends, and we know that our youth development is the future of golf. It is our belief that the Learning Center will bring families together and provide opportunities never before present in the Peoria area. Through our youth lessons, tournaments, mentoring program and more, we continue to learn from our experiences as well as from the smiles of the kids we contact. 

WILLIAM P. WOOLARD
is the superintendent of golf for the Peoria Park District.

MERIDITH ZUCCO
is the coordinator of marketing/golf for the Peoria Park District.

Decatur Park District BY WILLIAM CLEVENGER AND RICHARD ANDERSON The Decatur Park District's junior golf program is rooted in skill development and teaching basic human values and interactions. From the very beginning, the golf professionals realized that the game of golf provided many lifelong learning experiences while building emotional control and positive character values. In addition, the program stresses enjoyment, which ultimately leads to a desire to continue playing for years to come. From its humble beginning of 25 juniors one day a week to the current 350 young golfers five days a week, the junior program continues to enhance youth development in Decatur. We attempt to leave no stone unturned; "from the Boys and Girls Club to the Country Club," the Decatur Park District provides youth of the greater Decatur community one of the best junior golf programs in the country. The program recently celebrated its 25-year silver anniversary, and we point with pride to more than 25 individuals who currently work in the golf industry or play professional golf. Penny Hammel and Noelle Dagne, on the LPGA tour, have been a great inspiration to our LPGA girls golf club. Greg Hopkins, president of Cleveland Golf Corporation and former head golf professional at Decaturs Nelson Park facility, started our junior camp. Marty Robinson, rules official on the LPGA tour, started in our junior program. Others are currently sales representatives, PGA head professionals, golf course superintendents and tour caddies. Following is a brief synopsis of the Decatur Park District Junior Golf program. Decatur Junior Golf Association. This association plays an organized weekly program that provides both low-key competition and instruction. It consists of an eight-week season with sessions meeting for two hours on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We keep play in age groups, rotate them through learning stations and shorten the holes that they play on the golf course in relation (continues opposite on page 29)

28 / Illinois Parks and Recreation

JUNIOR GOLF: INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF THE GAME

to their age. We expose juniors to funevents such as select shot and alternatingshot. We use six to eight instructors andnumerous parent volunteers who score,supervise and give encouragement.

Junior Golf Camp. The camp is anintensive eight-day activity that kicks off the summer golf season. It runs the firsttwo weeks after the school year ends. Wecreate learning stations and rotate thejuniors through every station by agegroups. The camp lasts two hours per dayand focuses on the fundamentals of grip,swing, stance, rules and etiquette. Videosare used along with various training aids toenhance the learning experience. We useeight instructors and a number of adultvolunteers.

Advanced Junior Program. As thejuniors get older or their skills develop itbecomes necessary to create a program forthe advanced junior golfer. This groupmeets three times a week for eight weeks,usually in the afternoon. This gives theparents with two or more juniors a chanceto get them to one or the other program.We use two instructors, handouts, videos,and on-course playing lessons. We trackprogress and work on improving the areasthat require attention.

Junior Winter Program. The winter program is designed to prepare thetournament golfers for the upcomingseason. Starting in February, the programruns twice a week for eleven weeks. Weuse two instructors, handouts, videos, anindoor hitting net and teaching aids toimprove specific areas of the individualsgame. We stress golf course managementand an understanding of the rules in atournament setting.

LPGA Junior Girls Golf Club. In an effort to provide an environment forwomen's golf to grow, the junior programformed an LPGA Junior Girls Golf Club.This program is designed to introduce golfto girls ages 6 to 16. It approaches golffrom a social perspective as opposed to amore competitive approach. The clubmeets ten months per year. We use twoinstructors and are provided with a LPGAtour player to conduct a clinic. All aspectsof the game are introduced to the girls.

Hook-a-Kid on Golf Program. For inner-city junior development, we'veteamed up with the local Boys and GirlsClub and used the Hook-a-Kid on Golfprogram developed by the NationalAlliance for Youth Sports. The juniors are introduced to the fundamentals and provided a variety of opportunity. Wecreate a three-hole course at the Boys and Girls Club, use the driving ranges and playat no charge at our par three course. Forjuniors who financially are unable to participate, we've developed a scholarshipfund. This fund has not only providedscholarships but also conducted freetournaments for the juniors ages 5 to 14.

Tournament Competition. Decaturoffers five association tournaments, localqualifiers for national tournaments,Regional Illinois Junior Golf Associationqualifiers, a major Midwest junior 36-holetournament with a limited field of 400,and Illinois High School Association boysand girls sectional/regional tournaments.

Decatur Junior Open. Players of alllevels are also exposed to a higher level oftournament play through the DecaturJunior Open. This event is put on throughthe efforts of a not-for-profit group formedby the district to provide communityleadership for the event. It's a three-daytournament that has grown from less than100 players in 1993 to in excess of 450 in1997. This is not only a treat for ourjuniors but also an economic benefit forthe community.

The Decatur Park District formula issimple: start them young, provide fun andplaying time, and challenge them as theirskills improve. All these opportunities areprovided in an atmosphere of professionally run events made affordable throughscholarships and sponsorships. Using thisbasic premise, we try to never lose sight ofthe fact that todays junior players aredefinitely "the future of the game.

WILLIAM CLEVENGER
is the executive director of the Decatur Park District.

RICHARD ANDERSON
is the director of golf for the Decatur Park District.

Photo: Decatur's director of golf, Richard Anderson, teaches these junior golfers about club dynamics.

May/June 1998 / 29