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Founders' Note

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Youth movement

Playing junior golf helps youngsters get better on the course and learn valuable lessons for later on in life.

By Rob Lyon and Eric MarsonPublished: June, 2010

Rob Lyon (left) and Eric Marson are the founders of Southland Golf (PHOTO: Challenge Roddie).
When you think Southern California and junior golf, some big names come to mind: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler, Mark O’Meara, John Cook, Amy Alcott and Laura Baugh are just a few.
   
Every one of those great players is proof that organized junior golf can be a foundation for a lucrative career.
   
Nearly every successful collegiate or professional golfer learned the game while playing junior golf. But they comprise just a fraction of the total number of kids involved in junior golf programs, and everyone who participates is likely to benefit in one way or another.
   
Any person involved in a junior golf program is part of something bigger than himself or herself. They’re part of a game that has lasted for centuries, one with an infrastructure bound together by a central theme of respect — for the game, course, opponents and themselves.
   
Success as a junior golfer isn’t necessarily equated to low scores, tournament victories or whether golf becomes a career. It’s found more in the fact that juniors are learning to play a game that can be enjoyed for a lifetime.
   
Playing golf, particularly in a program that emphasizes rules and etiquette, teaches young children fundamental life lessons about fairness and sportsmanship. It shows the importance of being punctual, how to meet new people, of being considerate and honest.

It also gets children out of the house, away from their video game consoles and involved in a fun and healthy endeavor.
   
Golf also is a surefire conversation starter. Whether you’re 8, 28, 48 or 68, every golfer has his or her own stories, from that great chip-in for par to a frustrating 3-putt that turned a potential birdie into a bogey. Golf is a universal ice-breaker, and anyone with golf experience in their past can fit in at just about any social function.
   
Golf doesn’t necessarily help juniors grow up, but it definitely helps steer them in a direction that is both productive and positive.
   
So, if your junior golfer isn’t necessarily excelling on the golf course, if their games aren’t improving as quickly as others you see, if they’re not bringing home trophies, and if they’re not the kind of kid who relishes competition and works super hard on getting better, don’t sweat it.
   
They’re still winners, each and every time they head out to the course.



Readers Feedback:

Dear Sirs, Thank you for the great story on Junior Golf, it really touches my heart when I read the last line... "They’re still winners, each and every time they head out to the course" This is what I just felt resembles the following storyline although not a win but... I would like to share a very interesting story at a recent AJGA tournament (Ping Phoenix, AZ June 7-10) Battling through wrist injury and under extreme conditions 105 deg temperature, my son Bhuvan Potlrui (From India, Age 17 years, Graduate year 2011) shot what I think was one of the greatest FINAL rounds. Career best 5 under par 67 during…playing from Black Tees 7200+ yards. It was a bogey free round as well…Flawless (6 times when he missed GIR he got up and down to save par) What’s further amazing is that he was battling a wrist injury and was not fully fit… reminiscence of Tiger’s win on one leg. Would you be interested to know more and publish such a great comeback story? (see below for a brief outline -- first two rounds scores and the circumstances) If yes, please contact us via email potlurisb@yahoo.com or phone (714) 390-0739 and we will be more than happy to share all the details. Suresh Potluri potlurisb@yahoo.com (714) 390-0739 Cell (949) 502-3739 Home www.bhuvan-golf.com PS: Earlier on the first two days, he shot 79, and 78 and was tied for 45 out a 54 field, last day of 5 under par, put him overall +8 for the 3 days and Tied for 26 (top half) He has been battling through a wrist injury, as such for the first two days he didn't do any post-game routines (besides putting) as he was afraid that it might escalate his wrist pain. This didn't help him at all, however after round 2, he ignored the pain and went for his usual routine and shot 67.
Comment at 6/21/2010