With junior golf dying across the nation, John Westin, president of the Columbia Golf Foundation, came up with the idea to offer free golf camps to introduce youth to the sport. For the past three summers, Columbia Golf Foundation has organized and offered these golf camps through Columbia Parks and Recreation at L.A. Nickell Golf Course. To teach the basic skills needed to play golf, camps run one day a week for four weeks and serve Columbia area kids ages 8-17.
“It’s fun to see youth on the course and pass the love of golf on,” Andrew Baier, who works for the city golf courses and teaches at the camps comments. “90% of the campers have never been on a golf course or held a club. Through learning the game of golf youth learn etiquette, honesty through scoring, and get plenty of exercise.” They also have fun. Returning youth to the golf camps is normal.
Through the Columbia Golf Foundation, over 100 youth each summer are introduced to golf in a fun and interactive format. The foundation is also key in helping fund Columbia area high school golf teams at Rockbridge, Tolton, and Hickman.
Because of the Columbia Golf Foundation, numerous youth have been introduced to the game of golf who otherwise would not have had access to the game.
Written by volunteer Theresa Nelson
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