EVERETT — School is out, which means it’s time for youth to pack the golf bag with plenty of tees and balls and hit the links.
Legion Memorial Golf Course and Walter Hall Golf Course are hosting another summer of the Joe Richer Junior Golf Club (JRJGC), beginning the last week of June and concluding mid-August.
Legion Memorial and Walter Hall head professional and general manager Shayne Day described it as “one club with two facilities.”
Under the JRJGC umbrella are the Players Club (PC) for ages 8-18 and Players In Training (PIT) program for ages 6-18.
Members of the PC play in weekly competitions (two-person best ball, Stableford point system, two-person scramble, etc.) to win pro shop merchandise and are paired by skill level rather than age, which Day said is similar to the high school format. The first event was Wednesday at Walter Hall.
“We try to get the kids in competitions where they can compete. At the WJGA (Washington Junior Golf Association) level, they might (pair up) 7-9 year olds, for example. We could have a 12-year-old playing with an 8-year-old. It just depends on their skill level,” Day said. “That’s kind of what separates us. … You don’t get that with the WJGA or AJGA (American Junior Golf Association).”
PC members have the option to play nine or 18 holes, whichever suits their playing abilities. Day said this helps alleviate the gap from never playing a round and then playing 18 holes, as players can slowly progress from nine to 18. Kids in the PC also receive a 45-minute clinic prior to their tee time. The fee to join the PC is $40, and weekly competitions are $5.
“We want the kids to go to the 18 holes Players Club,” Day said. “That’s always the goal when they are comfortable, their parents are comfortable, and they know the rules somewhat and can get around the golf course.”
The PIT program is for youth still learning the game and haven’t had much experience playing a full round. The lessons are held at the two courses, but are managed by the First Tee of Greater Seattle PGA pros, program directors and volunteers. Legion Memorial and Walter Hall partnered with the organization three years ago. The first session was Tuesday.
“Those kids that do the Players In Training portion with the First Tee, we would let them come into and play in the Players Club,” Day said. “However, we haven’t had that really happen the last couple of years, and that’s going to be kind of a goal for us this year, to promote the kids from that Players In Training First Tee program to the Players Club program to play weekly.”
Local Everett notables who will be in attendance this summer are Max Soterakopoulos and his sister, Helaina, both of whom are a part of the Players Club. Max competed in the Drive, Chip and Putt event at Augusta National Golf Club in April after winning the boys 7-9 regional qualifiers at Chambers Bay Golf Course in University Place.
“We want kids to play with friends, but we also want it to be a club that is building them for the future of high school golf,” Day said. “If we were committed to them just playing, we wouldn’t do the (45-minute) clinic. … We are trying to enhance their game and make them better, give them things to work on. Our goal is to grow (the club) by getting more kids involved.”
More information about the JRJGC can be found on the website for Legion Memorial and Walter Hall golf courses. Players can register for the PIT program on the First Tee of Greater Seattle website.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
