Could the next Mike Weir or Annika Sorenstam come from the Sunshine Coast? If the junior program at the Sechelt Golf and Country Club (SG&CC) continues to grow, one day, that dream could be a reality.
Last weekend the SG&CC played host to its inaugural junior golf camp with 40 kids from eight to 18 learning instruction in all aspects of the game. The junior players varied in backgrounds from those who had never picked up a golf club before to elite-level players.
The junior program was resurrected this year by assistant golf professional Mike Bertrand and head professional Phil Krawczuk.
New to the club from California and Chilliwack respectively, both pros saw the value in junior golf and were astounded by the lack of a program at the club.
"We had only four junior golfers and we quickly realized that there was a huge need for junior golf. Within one month, we went from four kids to 35 recognized junior golfers," Bertrand said. "Our biggest goal is to have the best program in B.C., and we're slowly on the way."
Bertrand said he was thrilled by their first camp last weekend.
"To be honest with you, I don't care if they hit one good golf shot. I care that they get a chance to swing a golf club, have fun and get introduced to the game," he said. "What's really nice is that we're building fundamentals for the kids. This weekend's camp is everything from putting, chipping to hitting lies out of bunkers to full swing. And what's really nice about it is our camp isn't just designed to say, 'here's a golf club, go swing it,' our camps are designed for kids to learn and, more importantly, how to have fun out here. It's done by age group and playing ability, so every kid is having a blast within his or her own group."
Every Tuesday night from 4 to 6 p.m. is dedicated junior golf night where the course pretty well shuts down for the kids. Bertrand said that has been very well received, with 20 to 45 kids coming out.
Plans are also in the works for another weekend camp in August as well as a junior invitational, a first for the club, inviting junior players from all over the province to play in a competitive tournament at a nominal fee of $25.
"A strong junior program is very important for any club, but especially for us," Bertrand said. "We're isolated on the Coast and you have to take a ferry to get any marquee instruction. Our goal is to ultimately create a program where kids are learning at a young age and developing to start becoming adult players. We want to have a Ryan Dempster in golf - the next Mike Weir or the next Annika Sorenstam hopefully."
