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Times Advocate, 1993-07-21, Page 13Vimist goIfe,ihed lit) finals in Niagara Fails ELM IRA - Several 1oca1 young golks will head to the Ontario Juni()r Optimist Golf Tournament to be held. M rday at jtoLiing.Mea lows Golf Course in Niagara Falls. Following the recent Midwestern. District To ent in Elmira, Scott Parsons and Shawn Stuckless gained berths in di .provincial tournament. 'Parsons shot an 87 while Stucktess bad a 103. Mso at that to urnantent, Jamie Clarke had a 112 and Christian Sttickle- s shot a 1(X). Players arc divided into various age divisions. Local golfers Ryan Stuart and Brian Hayman wyillalso.begoing toNiag- ara Falls for the tournament. The local .golfers are financiaaliy asaisted by the Exeter Optimist Club. nggmrs' and playa** on cows� Above, Bob Mason giving a lesson at .the Exeter Golf _Course. Left, Robert Acton lines up a shot. Mason 1eips_Courtney .19ke 'hold -the goff :club properly. ..�., .c r C Illi` J Wit 1144410 *tory acrd photos •by Fred Groves T -A staff EXETER Few golf courses al- low children to play. There is a reason for that - they slow up the play of the game and hold other golfers op. But this summer, Exeter Golf Course is teaching the youngsters how to play the game so maybe when they do get the chance to get out on the corse, they will play a little better. Thursday rtnoming at the local course's ne'w.idriving range, Exeter Golf Course -pro and owner Bob Mason said: if! the courses did make it available to -children, you would see more of:them on the fareways and greens. "Most :of tthe clubs today don't want kids: They don't have time for - the kids, they have too many re- strictions on kids," said Mason while taking a break from showing a young golfer how to swing a club. He added the cost of a member- ship is high and that could estop a lot of parents from having 'their children golf on a regular basis. .Last week's golf school for chil- dren . ran from Monday :to -Friday and began at 9:30 a.m. with two hours on the range. That was fol- lowed by a quick lunch and then the golfers were allowed to go out on -;he coarse and play. t was the second of two one- week 'cog schools, each having over two dozen children participat- 11tvly assistant goes out with them (on the course), he's art-evcy lard then I go and check on them," said Mason. The driving range at Exeter opened last year and it's been .well used. Itis the only one in town and Mason said it is m ch easier and safer to teach the children on the range .which is separated from the course itself. "The first thing that goes when a golf club is in trouble is the range. They redesign the course so they can sell part of it off to keep go- ing„ Different teaching method: Teaching the younger ones to play golf is not like teaching the adults. To begin with, Mason pointed out none of his pupilh' last week were left-handed. There arc very few left-handed golfers and instructors know it's tough to teach them the game. "The process of teaching them (children) is a liulc different. It's mostly demonstration. With tht kids they're great imitators." At the golf school. the ages of the children ranged from nine to 13. Mason said he wouldn't want then, younger than nine because they lose their attention span. Jeremy Cornish, 13, was we of the young golfers on the range hit- ting dozens of halls on Thursday morning. "I'm learning everything about golf like bow to hold the clubs," said Cornish whose father golfs. "1 like the free golf after lunch," he added. Mason offers children a lot of op- portunities to get out of the course. Not only can they play atter lunch as part of their registration fee, but Exeter Golf Course offers those who were in the school a free mem- bership for the rest of the season. Since it is the only golf school for kez around, there has been positive comments from the young golfers' parents. It:s positive because no one is doing it. 1 would hope it's not just (o get the kids out of the house. i hope it's to teach them the game and they continue to play." About letting Ureal on the course, Mason said, "if they don't play, what's the point of laking lessons. They don't have a course at hone." when asked if Exeter (kg Course would consider itarsigg .a golf tournament for toe sir golfers, Mason said not at -des, time but the possibility is there. "A tournament at this time wcuid only lead to inaccurate scares. They're far better off to just go ors► And hit itaad i4an;l►he Was. trough it is quite apparent that Won and the Exeter Goff Course atc'•trying to make moneyfbydtfer- ittlthe school, it is not only good business sense but it also provides the opportunity for children to learn a sew game. when you are out on the golf cdfirse and .see younger golfers, be p a(enr and maybe give them a hand - remember, we were all be- ginners. "I hope it's to teach the kids the game and that they continue to play. II t &. t� prase,* awards Spedal coaches in Exeter and sur- rounding area, those who have shown true dedication, will be hon- oured this year by the Exeter Times -Advocate. With the assistance of the Coaching Assbeiation of Can- ada and 3M, four worthy coaches will be chosen in 1993. sidelines by Fred (:roves The Community Coach Recognition Program is an impor- tant undertaking. It's primary objective is to reward coaches who go beyond the call of duty and exemplify in their coach- ing performance and philosophies. Above and beyond the callof duty may sound like a slogan for the armed forces, and if you've ever coached, this might Just be the case. There are far too many coaches throughout Canada whose hard work and conscientious efforts go unnfrticed. Every community, including Exeter, have 41 few of these special people whether it be coaching hockey, basketball, ringette or whatever. It's time these individuals be recognized. Beginning the first week of August, nomination forts will be available here at the Times -Advocate and through the rep- resentatives of the various sporting organizations. If you know of someone who is deserving of this ward, please complete the form and send rte me here at The paper. Drop it off at the office or mail it in. The Times -Advocate has recently set up a Three-person se- lection committee and twice this year they will chose the award winners. Nomination forms must be in by the end of September (the actual date to come later) and then the committee will chose *.wo winners. Those nominated must be from a summer sport arch as ball, lawn bowling or soccer while nominations in he spring of 1994, will.be for coaches of winter sports such is hockey, ringette and figure skating. Winners of the 3M/Exeter Times -Advocate Community roach Recognition Program will be judged on the following 'alues and standards. –Demonstrating respect for officials, opponents and parents nal encouraging a philosophy of fair play. -Demonstrating.concem for all-round development of the tthlete.and instilling guidelines reflecting responsible conduct )eyond the playing field. - Presenting, through example, a positive image of coach- ing. - Demonstrating the ability to improve athletic performance of a team or individual. - Applying relevant training theory and coaching techniques eg. Nationttl Coaching Certification Program. What all that means is the Times -Advocate is looking for coaches who not necessarily always have winning teams. Remember winning isn't the only thing, isn't that how the old clicbe,,goes? –titheirrt_ • in patience, especially if you elle dNlMg with younger players. Dealing with parents in a calm manner is also my idea of a coach who could be nominated for this award. The only criteria for this award is that the coach have at least two years of coaching experience. While we constantly hearof athletes being praised for their efforts and hearing about the rewards they receive, there is lit- tle, if anything done to reward the coaches. Personally, I think this is an excellent opportunity to show your support to a coach who has done his or her best and let them know you appreciate what they've done. Coaching is not easy. Making the phone calls, teaching the kills drivin_ all • tr • _ •ractice • it' not • : Why are businesses Singing the glues? $8.00 / week $4.15 / week They iwreit't calculated how muds gREEN they could save. The weekly cost to dispose of four bass of waste ib $8,00; a depot cart • holding an equivalent amount of recyclabies costes $4.15 per week and helps the environment. Join over 700 businesses already serviced by the Bh ewater • •, • Rec:ycLtn�; Call us at 1-000-266,9799 •,''dire—ociation ti