Junior Academy at Eagle Bend gets kids on the green

By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle

Eagle Bend Golf Course is one of the finest courses in the Northwest, and isn't the type of place one would expect to see groups of children on the green. However, for six weeks every summer more than 20 kids attend the club's Junior Golf Academy.

The program teaches the basics of golf including the physical motions of hitting the ball, the rules of golf, ettiquette and playing holes in a timely manner.

The sessions are held Wednesday mornings beginning in mid-June and last through about the end of July. The participants can attend as many, or as few, of the sessions as they choose. Each costs $10. The course ready players start at 9 a.m. The instructors focus on a particular skill with them for 45 minutes, and then the players are tested on the skill. Those that pass are broken into groups of four to play on Eagle Bend's Lake nine course. At 10 a.m. the Developing Players Group arrive at the golf course to learn a little bit about golf through instruction and games. Both groups finish up at noon.

Allan Haley has been in charge of the program for four years.

"When they're young it gives them an introduction to the game," Haley said. "When they're older they get some coordination and start putting everything together. That's the fun part for me. Seeing them progres through the years and get better."

Carson Harris, who plays on the Bigfork High School golf team, was a part of the Junior Academy for ten years, and has come back to help as an instructor the last two years.

"I probably wouldn't have played golf had I not been in the Junior Academy," Harris said.

The program is open to all ages, and kids of all ages really do attend.

Elena Jimenez, a 7-year-old Lakeside resident, had never golfed before she attended the academy. She has attended three sessions this year and said she is really enjoying it.

"It's fun and I get to learn to golf so I can golf with my dad," Jimenez said. "I like golf because it's interesting. It's something new I haven't done before."

Brothers Jacob and Cameron Welch, who are 11-years-old and nine-years-old respectively, have attended the academy for the last few years.

"I get to golf around my friends and I like being around the staff," Jacob Welch said. "I learn a lot from them. They help me with putting and they teach us to not play slow and keep to the time limits."

Both of the boys are members, which is not a requirement of the academy, and sometimes play with their family at Eagle Bend. They are part of the course ready group so the weekly practice comes in handy when they are out on the green with them.

"It helps me with my short game," Camerson Welch said. "I've learned to slow down my swing."

Braden Davis, who is 14 years old, was introduced to golf by his dad and his dad's friend. He said he enjoys attending the golf academy because it is something fun to do in the summer.

"You learn patience, respect, confidence in yourself and to keep pushing yourself," Davis said.

Teigan Avery, who is 10 years old, attended the program for her second year this year.

"It's fun and I like meeting new people and competing against them," Avery said. "Especially the boys. I like giving them a hard time."

Avery said she likes golf because it is good for the mind and it is fun. She has enjoyed learning to chip and working on her short game since she views those as the most important parts of the game.

"The instructors are really nice and helpful," Avery said. "I like that they make you learn certain things before you can go out on the Lake nine course. It makes you have to learn things and work for it."