Henryetta golf coach Dutch VanDenborn told Lions club members they helped expose a number of young kids to, “the greatest game in the world,” Tuesday.
He was talking about the conclusion of the annual golf camp that introduced some 50 youngsters to the sport and wraps up Thursday.
golf camp“We are trying to pay it forward by getting the young folks involved. Everyone has enjoyed it and we had a lot of kids come back from last year’s camp.”
The camp is held for two hours each Tuesday and Thursday at the Henryetta golf course and is free to the participants. The youngsters are taught the fundamentals of golf and includes time on the driving range and short games. “The kids like to see how far they can hit the ball but I tell them they may hit their driver 14 times but they will be putting 20 to 25 times.”
He siad the camp this year and in previosu sessions have been, “a wonderful experience.”
He said the camp has had an impact on the school golf teams. “Last year we won three of the four tournaments and finished fifth at the state tournament.”
VanDenborn thanked the Lions Club for supplying the t-shirts given to the campers at the end of the session. Those shirts bear the design by Lions club member Billie Been. Also helping make the camp possible is a donation by Jiffy Mart and Earl Ainsley, golf course proprietor who has worked with the Okmulgee Shriners to get drinks and Bruce Jones and Thehenryettan.com for publicity.
Vandenborn told the group two Henryettans, Abbi Green and Skylar Smallwood just returned from the Northwest Arkansas LPG tournament this past weekend. They carried the banners for the golfers and were in the final three groups at the tournament end. “Gayle Machetta has spearheaded this effort," he said. "The girls stay at her mother's home and have a great time."