GOLF CAN BE a hard game for those new to the sport to break into, particularly younger people.
PGA Jr. League, a program for juniors in place at Cedars at Dungeness for the past four years and at Peninsula Golf Club in Port Angeles more recently, seeks to provide those openings for growing the game with the younger set.
Creating more new golfers and getting them hooked into what can be a lifelong pastime is more and more of a focus around the country for the golf industry.
Since peaking at 30 million recreational golfers in 2003 — an obvious aftereffect of Tiger Woods’ entry into the game — the number of rounds played and the number of golfers playing those rounds dipped nationwide to the low 20 million range in recent years.
To get more young players involved here on the North Olympic Peninsula, Cedars at Dungeness Director of Golf and General Manager Bill Shea, Cedars’ head pro Garrett Smithson and Peninsula Golf Club head pro Chad Wagner head up PGA Jr. League teams that compete against each other in two-person scramble format events.
PGA Jr. League focuses more on the fun one can have playing the game with a partner than on the frustrations that can come along with learning the sport all by your lonesome.
“For everybody involved it promotes the fun of the game,” Smithson said.
“Being a scramble format, kids are not on an island playing the game all alone. They have a partner and it takes the pressure off. When we speak to the kids the first week we tell them you have a partner to lean on if you make a mistake. And if you both make mistakes on the same hole, that’s OK because you are both in it together and can support each other through it.”
Success in Sequim
Smithson said the early introduction to the game has paid dividends for the Sequim High School boys and girls golf teams.
“The competitions are age-appropriate for 8- or 9-year olds, and it really helps them handle competition and pressure when they get to high school golf,” Smithson said.
“And you look at high school golf, or Ryder Cup and other team events, and they are so fun and inspire so much good for the game.”
PGA Jr. League alumni are starring for the unbeaten Wolves boys and girls golf teams this season.
Smithson said Paul Jacobson, Blake Wiker, last year’s Peninsula Daily News All-Peninsula MVP, and Liam Payne participated, along with Yana Hoesel, the girls team’s No. 3 player.
Registration is open for teams of 13 and under players at Cedars and Peninsula coached by Smithson and Wagner, while Shea will work with 16U golfers in Sequim.
The program cost is $200, lower than at many other facilities around Western Washington, and scholarship assistance is available.
“We don’t want the fee to be a bar for entry for interested players,” Smithson said. “The PGA Jr. League has worked with sponsors to come up with the funds to provide scholarships for kids.”
In previous years, Smithson and Wagner have taken their players around to play intramural-style matches at courses like Port Ludlow and Port Townsend.
This year, Smithson said they are hopeful they can recruit enough players to have two or more teams in Port Angeles and two or more teams in Sequim in order to have a fully built-out league, with competitive league matches and standings.
Players also will receive uniforms, a hat and a T-shirt.
To register, visit www.pgajrleague.com/register or phone Cedars at Dungeness at 360-683-6344 or Peninsula at 360-457-6501.
PGA Jr. League also has the support of some of the biggest names in golf — including popular pros Rory McIlroy, Michelle Wie, Rickie Fowler and Lexi Thompson — who serve as Ambassadors for PGA Jr. League.
Golf for Grads
Golf for Grads, the annual benefit golf tournament that raises funds for a safe and sober graduation night event for Sequim High School seniors, will be held at Cedars at Dungeness on Sunday, May 6.
Entry fees for the four-person scramble format event are $85 per player.
Green fees, use of cart, lunch, and shots at KP, long drive and hole-in-one prizes are part of each entry.
A 9 a.m. shotgun start will open play.
Tournament sponsors also are sought.
For more information, phone 360-683-6344.
Winter Series wraps
Cedars at Dungeness will host the final event in the Washington State Golf Association’s Winter Series on Friday, April 27.
The individual stroke play format event is open to men and women amateurs in good standing of a WSGA member club.
Entry is $75 per player.
To register, visit www.golfgenius.com/pages/1213417.
Play with a pro at Ludlow
Port Ludlow golf pros will offer Play with a Pro rounds for ladies and men this month.
Kathryn Simerly will instruct ladies golfers with a session on tee shots today from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Three other ladies clinics are planned on consecutive Mondays, April 16 (bunkers), 23 (putting) and 30 (approach shots) — all from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tyler Sweet has one men’s sessions left this month: bunkers from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and putting from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 24.
A limit of 10 players is allowed for each on-course session and sessions are $20 plus green fees.
To get in on the game, RSVP in person, call Port Ludlow at 360-437-0272 or email tsweet@portludlowresort.com.
