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Growing up with golf

Summer programs keep springing up around Tampa Bay as children flock to the game.

By JOHN SCHWARB, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published June 6, 2002

TAMPA -- From his station at the Terrace Hill driving range, 9-year-old James Coonce fires away at the yellow balls with his 9-iron.

"I pretty much know all this stuff," the Temple Terrace Elementary student said. "I'm taking this program to try to make friends."

Well, judging from the direction (every which way) and flight (a few worm-burners, a few in the air) of his shots, Coonce may not know all there is to know about golf. His effort to make friends looks easy, though, as about 30 practice their swings, putting and chipping.

The best part? Coonce will have another day of instruction today and the rest of the summer to work on those irons. For junior golfers, it's peak season.

As schools around the bay area let out for summer, students are moving from the classroom to the golf course. Many junior tours, camps and clinics are getting under way, catering to what local golf professionals see as a booming part of the industry.

"The interest in junior golf has grown tremendously," said Phyllis Lewellyn, a teacher at Countryside Golf Center in Clearwater. "Ten years ago, in this whole area, there were probably two summer camps. This year there are hundreds."

Credit the Tiger Woods effect or just an increased awareness of opportunities, because the numbers are way up locally for summer programs. For one of the most popular, run by YMCA Urban Junior Golf and First Tee of Tampa Bay, seven courses are needed. Last year four courses were used for one-week clinics, which involved more than 400 juniors. This summer Hillsborough County courses Terrace Hill, Rocky Point, Rogers Park, MacDill, Hidden Creek, Westchase and Heritage Harbor are welcoming boys and girls ages 7-17.

"We must be doing something right," director Mike Cooper said. "I'd like to think it's due to the popularity in junior golf. What we're doing in our area is comparable if not better to any other area in the country."

YMCA Urban Junior Golf's weeklong programs cost $125 for members and $140 for nonmembers, and some juniors are given free spots based on need. As with most other programs, equipment is available. The organization also runs tournaments for advanced players, as do many other junior groups. The best junior golfers usually are involved in year-round tournaments and play outside the area in the summer, which opens more spots so locals can get a taste of competition.

"Higher handicappers don't usually get in (during the school year), so the summer is a good opportunity to build a resume," said Bill Rinaldo, president of the Dade City-based Florida Junior Golf Association. "That's a good thing for us."

Lewellyn also runs the Florida Suncoast Junior Golf Tour, which started 16 months ago with 57 players. Now it has more than 300.

Through her programs she has worked with players as young as 5 but said ages 7-12 are the most common for juniors to get into the game.

"My whole philosophy is that the kids have fun," Lewellyn said.

Whether or not they already know all the stuff.

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