Written by: Jordyn Connell, SportWORKS Officer, Sport for Newcomers Charlottetown
Hi Everyone!
Throughout the month of June we partnered with the Prince Edward Island Golf Association (PEIGA) to put on a 4-week Sport for Newcomers (S4N) Come Try Golf Clinic. We started on Wednesday June 7th and the program ran every Wednesday in June afterwards with one group of kids at 4:45-5:45 and another from 6:00-7:00 at Red Sands Golf Course in Kensington. Except for one week, the weather was far from ideal for golf, but luckily we only had to cancel and reschedule one of our sessions. It was important to us and we were inquired by clients to hold some S4N sessions in or closer to the Summerside area, so when Red Sands said they would allow us to host this clinic at their course we were very pleased.
The clinic was run by two coaches from the PEIGA who started the first week with putting lessons on the practice green, the second week also took place on the practice green where they taught participants how to chip. Once they got their short game down, the coaches took the kids to the driving range on week three where they practiced their full swings for the first time, taught them how to hit their irons and which one should be used at what times. Finally, to finish off the 4-week program, they were at the driving range once again where they were taught how to hit a drive and how to use their hybrid clubs. Each lesson was laid out very similarly, starting off with how to properly hold and swing the club. Some practiced on their own, allowing them the chance to ask questions and for the coaches to fix any potential issues they may be having. The lessons finished with a little friendly competition, whether it’d be the closest to the hole on the practice green or picking a yard marker to hit or get the closest to.
Having so many beautiful PEI golf courses to play at and choose from, golf is a very popular sport and a great hobby to pick up for the summer. Many of the kids who came out expressed interest in continuing golf lessons after the clinic was over, we were very pleased and hope they continue learning this lifelong sport. We have the same clinic run by PEIGA and the same coaches coming up in July in the Charlottetown area so stay tuned!
-Jordyn