The 3rd annual Junior Girls Season Opener was held on a beautiful, sunny June 8th afternoon at Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club in Columbia, MD. Sixty-Two girls, ages 7-14 participated in this very popular MSGA-WD event.
The Season Opener was created, thanks to a grant from the Caves Valley Golf Club Foundation, to introduce the game of golf to girls throughout the state who perhaps have never had the opportunity to hit a golf ball, much less play on a golf course. And, to also provide an opportunity to further the skills of those girls who are in the early stages of learning to play.
When the girls arrived that afternoon, they were welcomed by the Junior Development Chair and Season Opener Coordinator, Rebecca Krimski. After a brief explanation about the game of golf, the girls then spent some time learning the importance of marking their golf balls – to which each girl thoroughly enjoyed putting her own unique design on the ball she would later use throughout the day. A delicious pizza lunch was then served to fuel the girls for an exciting day of clinics, games, and on course play.
To begin the clinics, we headed to the driving range, putting green, and short game facility where the girls divided into groups for the chipping, putting, bunker, and long game clinics taught by professionals Paul Maurer, Do Kim, Holly Anderson, Audra McShane, and March Klein.
After the clinics and a quick break, the 11-14-year-old girls went out to play six holes of golf on the course, accompanied by a seasoned MSGA-WD junior golfer or an MSGA-WD committee member. In the meantime, the younger group (ages 7-10), who arrived later in the day, began their clinics.
When the older girls came back to the clubhouse from the course and the younger girls finished their clinics, everyone met up back at the putting green to participate in a fun putting contest where they could show off their new skills.
We wrapped up the day with everyone enjoying ice cream under the tent. The girls had a great experience and learned a lot about the game of golf, as evidenced by their huge smiles and desire to continue playing.
Many thanks to the following people and organizations for making this day a resounding success:
Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club
Caves Valley Golf Club Foundation
The First Tee of Howard County
The First Tee of Baltimore
MSGA-WD Executive Committee
Paul Maurer, PGA
Joan Lovelace, PGA
Holly Anderson, PGA
Do Kim, PGA
Audra McShane, LPGA T&CP
March Klein
Bonnie Fry
Judi Hans
Emma Klein
Bryana Nguyen
Bailey Davis
Faith Choi
Elizabeth Coffren
AnPhi Le
Eugena Chang
Helen Young
Sophie Soh
Jennifer Grant
Diane Aichroth
Nancy Pivec
And especially all the participants and their parents. Great job girls!!
WE LOVE GOLF!
-Reported by Rebecca Krimski
