National Alliance for Youth Sports

USGA and National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) continue to hook kids on golf

Importance of Proper Equipment in
Youth Sports, Especially Golf
by: Ahna Hendrickson, National Program Coordinator for Hook A Kid On Golf,
program of the National Alliance for Youth Sports

In the days where technology has really stepped up to the plate developing quality equipment for beginners, the occasional golfer and the elderly trying to get back those 15-30 yards they lost from last year, I must ask why should it be any different for juniors? After all, those first experiences often determine the likelihood of a child continuing with the sport.

When teaching a child a sport, naturally you want them to succeed. You want to see their eyes open wide and the smile on their face after they hit a good shot or throw and catch a ball for the first time. You want them to be safe, have good coaches and instructors and have the proper equipment in order to provide the best experience possible. Let’s be honest, golf is not the easiest sport to introduce your child to. If we actually sit down to think about what one needs to get started with the game of golf it is pretty overwhelming: golf clubs, bag, balls, collared shirt, shoes, glove, tees, ball marker, etc. The idea of running out to find all of the above can be a little exhausting as well, not to mention expensive.

In order to provide access we need to eliminate such barriers which may prevent kids from learning the game of golf. It may seem like the obvious choice to eliminate the high cost of equipment and resort to hand-me-downs. You may be thinking, is it really that important to have proper equipment? Can’t we just give a kid any old club, cut it down or tell them to grip down and be happy that they had a chance to play a sport they might not have had a chance to learn otherwise? Well, that’s pretty much like giving a 7-year-old an adult size basketball and a 10-foot hoop to try and make baskets. It can be done, but the fun factor of the sport is taken out and fundamentals are not developed properly.

In my opinion, there is a time and a place for hand-me-downs and junior golf clubs is not one of them. Improper equipment in itself is often unknowingly a barrier. I think you will agree with me when we look at the results of modifying and cutting down golf clubs. When you cut down a club it will take a considerable amount of length off of the club, which in turn will change the flex on the shaft and make it significantly more stiff and difficult to hit, which for a junior golfer is not in their favor. The impact of a stiff shaft, when not needed, will cause the ball to have less loft, which means it will be harder to get the ball in the air and may often go several yards off to the right (for a right-handed golfer). Also, many hand-me-down golf clubs are too heavy because of their steel shafts and weight in the club head which makes it difficult for junior golfers to take the club back and through during the swing in order to create club head speed. It may also cause kids to become tired and give up on golf all together.

In my days as an assistant golf professional, I can’t tell you how many times I heard “It’s OK, he’ll just use his older brother’s clubs and choke down on them.” In certain circumstances this is alright, but knowing that choking down on the club changes the lie angle and will have an impact on ball contact is an issue I must inform people about.

If a cut down club is the absolute only option when determining if a kid will be able to play, I would obviously say go ahead, just know what the possible outcome will be when kids are struggling to get good results and are not enjoying the game. We want to provide a safe, enjoyable and positive experience for kids in all youth sports. Why should golf be any different?

Why Hook A Kid On Golf? Hook A Kid On Golf, a program of the National Alliance for Youth Sports, has been eliminating barriers and providing youth with access to the game of golf since 1990.

One of the reasons why Hook A Kid On Golf is the best when it comes to junior golf programming is the quality of equipment. Each child is provided with a set of Tour Edge golf clubs which is fit specifically to their height and has youth flex shafts. All Hook A Kid On Golf Tee Level Clinic participants are able to take their set of clubs home with them at the end of the week and encouraged to continue to play.

Hook A Kid On Golf receives grant from the
United States Golf Association to help provide
golf opportunities to underserved children
by: Linda Alberts, Public Relations Coordinator
for the National Alliance for Youth Sports

West Palm Beach, Fla./February 5, 2013 – Hook A Kid On Golf has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the United States Golf Association (USGA) to support the growth of junior golf in local communities nationwide. The grant will help Hook A Kid On Golf reach approximately 75 communities this summer and give 1,200 underserved youth an opportunity to learn and play golf.

The funds will be used to match fundraising efforts of organizations providing sponsorships for youngsters to participate in Hook A Kid On Golf’s Tee Level Clinics. The clinic is a week-long event where youngsters receive introductory golf instruction, as well as education about golf rules and etiquette and even life skills lessons like being a good student-athlete and nutrition/hydration. As part of the clinic each child receives their own set of golf clubs to keep, as well as a golf shirt, a hat and golf balls.

“For more than 20 years the USGA has been a tremendous supporter of the efforts of Hook A Kid On Golf. A large part of the program’s success is directly attributed to their continued support through the annual matching grants,” said Andy Parker, director of youth development programming at the National Alliance for Youth Sports. With USGA support, Hook A Kid On Golf has been able to bring the game of golf to more than 75,000 youngsters.

Hook A Kid On Golf, a youth development program of the National Alliance for Youth Sports, was developed in 1991. It’s a comprehensive junior golf program that teaches children the game of golf and provides emphasis on golf’s rich history, rules and etiquette. For more information, visit www.hookakidongolf.org.

About the National Alliance for Youth Sports
Founded in 1981, the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) is America's leading advocate for positive, safe sports and activities for children. The non-profit 501(c)(3) organization is headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. More than 3,000 community-based youth sport programs across the country use NAYS programs and services for everyone involved in youth sports experiences, including professional administrators, volunteer administrators, volunteer coaches, officials, parents and young athletes. For more information, visit www.nays.org.

2012 Hook A Kid On Golf New Site of the Year:
Loudoun County Juvenile Court Services

The long-term benefits of golf are in practice in the Loudoun County (Va.) community, and helping to improve the lives of troubled teens. The Loudoun County Juvenile Court Services has concluded their first season of the National Alliance for Youth Sports’ (NAYS) Hook A Kid On Golf program as a part of their “Helping Our Probationers Excel” initiative.

Their Hook A Kid On Golf site is overseen by Darryl Whiten, coordinator of the supervised release program and probation officer at Loudoun County. Previously, Whiten was the Hook A Kid On Golf liaison for the state of Maryland. While in Maryland, he witnessed the positive effects the program had on the group of children he worked with.

Now he wants to offer the youth of Loudoun the same benefits.

“Being able to start this program in Virginia is truly a blessing,” said Whiten. “It allowed me to give our youngsters hope and opportunity.”
Loudoun County Juvenile Court Services offers Hook A Kid On Golf to teens ages 12-15 on probation.

“We don’t have to lock them up,” Whiten said. “We can lift them up, and when you can lift up a youngster, you’re raising their self-esteem. When their self-esteem is good, then they can make better decisions and start to feel proud about who they are.”

Whiten recalls a few standout examples of Hook A Kid On Golf in action in the community. For example, after completing a Hook A Kid On Golf clinic, one youth has gone on to join the Loudoun Valley High School golf team. A couple other past participants are now employed at one of the local golf courses.

The probation office funds the transportation to pick up the kids and take them to the golf course. Others have also stepped up to make Hook A Kid On Golf possible in the community. Some of the local golf courses have invited the Hook A Kid On Golf participants to play on their courses for free and their instructors even provide free lessons.

“You hear about the benefits of sports a lot, but to actually see how they can make a difference by improving someone’s life is amazing,” said Andy Parker, director of youth development programs at NAYS. “Loudoun County Juvenile Court Services has incorporated Hook A Kid On Golf into their program in a unique way that is truly making a difference, and for that we are proud to recognize them as the 2012 Hook A Kid On Golf New Site of the Year.”

National Alliance for Youth Sports names
Ahna Hendrickson Hook A Kid On Golf’s
National Program Coordinator

West Palm Beach, Fla./January 15, 2013 – The National Alliance for Youth Sports, America’s leading advocate for positive and safe sports and activities for children, has announced Ahna Hendrickson as the national program coordinator for Hook A Kid On Golf.

Hendrickson will be responsible for enhancing Hook A Kid On Golf’s presence by promoting the program to potential new sites, as well as strengthening relationships with more than 200 sites currently offering the program.

From her own experiences playing golf through high school and in college at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Hendrickson has first-hand experience on the impact golf can have.

“Golf provides kids the perfect combination of competition and sportsmanship,” she said. “It provides the opportunity for them to learn etiquette and real life skills on the course as well as help them develop a hard work ethic while practicing their short game or swing mechanics on the practice facility.”

Most recently, Hendrickson served as an assistant golf professional at Admiral’s Cove in Jupiter, Fla. “I’m excited to be a part of the difference youth sports makes in the lives of kids while staying involved in golf,” she said.

Hook A Kid On Golf has been providing America’s youth with quality golf instruction for more than 20 years. As America’s most comprehensive youth golf program, Hook A Kid On Golf provides participating communities with all the tools necessary to provide an organized youth golf program, such as equipment, affordable instruction and a fun structure that teaches youth how to play the game on the course.

Founded in 1981, the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida. More than 3,000 community-based youth sport programs across the country use NAYS programs and services for everyone involved in youth sports experiences, including professional administrators, volunteer administrators, volunteer coaches, officials, parents and young athletes. Learn more at www.nays.org.

Annual Hook A Kid On Golf Pro-Am hosted by golf pro Bob Murphy raises $30, 000

Professional golfers, enthusiasts and supporters of the long-running Hook A Kid On Golf program swung their clubs for a purpose at the program’s annual Pro-Am hosted by professional golfer Bob Murphy on Jan. 7, 2013.

The Hook A Kid On Golf fundraiser, which was held at Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla., was another successful event that raised $30,000. The funds will be used to support communities in Florida conducting the Hook A Kid On Golf program, as well as the efforts of the national office.

Hook A Kid On Golf, a youth development program of the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS), was developed in 1991 to provide communities with a comprehensive youth golf program that eliminates the obstacles that discourage many children from learning and continuing to play golf while instilling in them an understanding of golf's rules, etiquette and history. To date, more than 300 organizations have implemented the Hook A Kid On Golf program in their communities.

“There’s nothing like watching little kids play golf,” said Murphy. “We’re proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish with Hook A Kid On Golf from the very start and I thank everyone for their support.” Murphy has been involved with Hook A Kid On Golf for more than 20 years as its national spokesperson.

In addition to Murphy, other professionals that participated in the Pro-Am included Jay Sigel, Michelle McGann, Hank Kuehne, Brett Quigley and Olin Browne.

“We are thankful to everyone that participated in the Pro-Am fundraiser this year,” said Andy Parker, Director of Youth Development for NAYS. “With their help we are able to continue introducing kids across the country to the rewarding game of golf.”

2012 Hook A Kid On Golf Site of the Year: Birch Ridge Golf Association

Through a true passion for the game of golf and a dedication to bringing its benefits to children, the Birch Ridge Golf Association’s Hook A Kid On Golf clinic has become a summer staple in Soldotna, Alaska.

Each spring the association reaches out to the local school system, after school programs and the Boys and Girls Club to help them find youngsters that meet the qualifications for being good candidates for their annual Hook A Kid On Golf clinic, including being 8-15 years old, not having any real golf experience and not owning a set of clubs. The association then uses the applications of interested children to conduct a lottery to select 24 participants.

The golf association sponsors the clinic, so participants do not have to pay to play. Over the past eight years, more than 360 children have taken part in their clinics.

“We are excited to announce Birch Ridge Golf Association as the Hook A Kid On Golf 2012 Site of the Year,” said Andy Parker, director of youth development programs at the National Alliance for Youth Sports. “Everyone one in the community has stepped upto help grow the game of golf and make the clinic a rewarding experience for the kids.”

“Winning this award is an affirmation of what the Birch Ridge Golf Association and our team does for junior golf in our area,” said Bob Sizemore, Hook A Kid On Golf site coordinator of the golf association. “Our team is really unique in what we provide in our clinic.”

Birch Ridge Golf Association boasts three certified PGA teaching and playing professionals that coach the kids: Tom Walsh, Bill Engberg and Nolan Rose. “For our small community to have that level of expertise is incredible!” he said.

The golf association also provides funding for each of the graduates to play one rounds of golf per week for the rest of the summer. “Considering that our clinic is usually held on the first week after school gets out, the Hook A Kid On Golf graduates have the entire summer to use their new clubs and enjoy the game,” said Sizemore.

Sizemore credits the success of their Hook A Kid On Golf clinics to everyone involved in the program, from the golf pros, volunteers and the Birch Ridge Golf Association’s owners and staff. “We all do this because we love golf and we love kids – this award is just icing on the cake!” Sizemore says.

Hook A Kid On Golf site coordinator and LPGA golfer Erin Diegel named 2012 Colorado PGA Junior Golf Leader of the Year

Since 1990, Hook A Kid On Golf has worked with organizations across the country to eliminate barriers that keep youngsters from playing golf and acquiring the limitless benefits the game offers. It was a mission LPGA golfer Erin Diegel, founder of Girl Power Golf in January of 2010, was on too.

As a life-long golfer, Diegel has witnessed the lack of support to get and keep young girls interested in the game, and even experienced the effects of an unbalanced boy/girl ratio in golf when her daughter became disinterested in the sport because there were no other girls to play with.

Diegel created the Colorado-based Girl Power Golf to keep girls ages 7 to 17 interested in golf, and Hook A Kid On Golf was a natural fit to help her do so.

Now, Diegel has been named the 2012 Colorado PGA Junior Golf Leader of the Year by the Colorado PGA and is recognized for her work in growing the game of junior golf.

“Because of Hook A Kid On Golf’s support, for the past two years, of my passion to grow the game to young ladies through Girl Power Golf/LPGA-USGA Girls Golf and the Colorado Golf in Schools program I have been named the 2012 Colorado PGA Junior Golf Leader of the Year,” she said. “I am humbled and honored to have been chosen for this award.”

“We are proud to work with people that are making a difference through golf,” said Ryan Dwyer, national coordinator for Hook A Kid On Golf. “Erin is helping to improve the experience girls have in junior golf so she is most deserving of this special award.”

Diegel believes that early exposure to golf through Hook A Kid On Golf and Girl Power Golf gives girls the chance to develop as athletes and individuals.

“Golf is a life-long sport that can be enjoyed for its many benefits, like health and fitness, family time and business,” said Diegel. “It’s a game of honesty, integrity and perseverance which, for today’s youth, is especially important.”

Prospect Heights (Ill.) places first at 2012 Traditions of Golf Challenge

More than 60 junior golfers headed to the links at the Old Orchard Country Club in Mount Prospect, Ill. for the 2012 Traditions of Golf Challenge Aug. 3-5.

For 13 years, the Traditions of Golf Challenge has put youngsters to the ultimate test on their knowledge of golf rules, history and etiquette, as well as playing skills. Not knowing a piece of history, like the names of the only two women that have won the U.S. Open four times, is as detrimental as missing a putt. (The correct answer is Betsy Rawls and Mickey Wright, by the way.)

In the end, the team representing Prospect Heights (Ill.) Park District clinched the win with a score of 27-under par. The team from West Palm Beach (Fla.) came in second at 21-under par, while third place went to the Peoria, Ill. team that posted a two-under par score.

The title is Prospect Heights’ second in a row and also marked the fifth time they have claimed the top spot during the tournament’s history.

“We’ve had tremendous support from the coaches,” Marc Heidkamp, one of the coaches for the Prospect Heights team and head pro at Old Orchard Country Club, said of the team’s continual achievement. “It’s exciting to see the kids come together to play as a team and rewarding to see them experience success.”

Fourteen-year-old Lexi Heidkamp of the Prospect Heights team is already a veteran Traditions player. With experience at past events under her belt, she was able to better focus on the competition. “I was more comfortable at this year’s Traditions event,” she said. “The format was less intimidating because I knew what to expect.”

Her favorite part of this year’s Traditions event? “Having my mom as a coach,” the teen says. Her mother, Marci Heidkamp, was a first-year coach.

In addition to Prospect Heights, West Palm Beach and Peoria, there were also teams from Hamburg, N.Y., Chicago Heights, Ill., Richmond, Va. and Naperville, Ill.

Teams consisted of two coaches and eight youngsters. Each team’s score from their round was combined with their “Traditions of Golf” score to determine the overall champion of the two-day tournament.

“The Traditions of Golf Challenge represents the essence of golf from the rich history of the sport to etiquette the kids can take with them to each course they play on throughout their life,” said Andy Parker, tournament director for the Traditions of Golf Challenge. “We strive to make each year’s event challenging and fun for the players.”

Cities were selected to participate in the Traditions of Golf Challenge based on their commitment to utilizing the entire Hook A Kid On Golf program to introduce children to golf who may not otherwise have the opportunity. Sites then choose eight participants to attend, ranging from ages 9-15.

Hook A Kid On Golf – a National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS) program – is an innovative youth golf program that eliminates the obstacles that often prevent many youngsters from enjoying the game.

Palm Beach (Fla.) Par 3 hosts golf tourney to benefit Hook A Kid program

The Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course held its third annual Raymond Floyd Open in early March to benefit their Hook A Kid On Golf program. Sponsored by the Par 3 Foundation, the tournament consisted of 11 teams of five and raised nearly $24,000.

The winning team shot a 44 and consisted of Belen Mozo, Tony Ittleson, David Kirkland, Donna Acquavilla and professional Bob Ford.

In the face of reported 40 mph winds, the golfers had a great time raising money to give youth access to a sport respected for the values it provides both on and off the greens, while playing on the newly renovated Palm Beach Par 3 course.

“If you can reach one or two kids a year, you’ve made a huge difference,” said Ray Floyd. “Golf is a game of integrity. If you can live by the rules of golf, you can be a stand up citizen.”

Since starting the program, more than 100 youngsters have participated in the Hook A Kid On Golf offerings of Palm Beach Par 3. “Having a funding stream from this tournament allows us to put on great summer clinics for children who may not have had an opportunity to learn the game due to cost,” said Jay Boodheshwar, recreation director.

The fundraiser helps the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course offer Hook A Kid On Golf clinics at no cost to the participants, and the youth even receive their own set of clubs to keep at the end of the clinic.

“The Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course has been a great example of how an organization can give local kids an opportunity to benefit from the game of golf,” said Ryan Dwyer, national program coordinator of Hook A Kid On Golf. “I’m sure that both the golf and life skills the kids learn at Palm Beach Par 3’s summer clinics stay with them for a very long time!”

Hook A Kid On Golf, a youth development program of the National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS), was developed in 1991 to provide communities with a comprehensive youth golf program that eliminates the obstacles that discourage children from learning and continuing to play golf while instilling in them an understanding of golf's rules, etiquette and history. To date, more than 300 organizations have implemented the Hook A Kid On Golf program in their communities.