Junior golf program proves to be successful

By John Droke
INDEX Sports Writer

GENESEE COUNTY — The Flint Junior Golf Association, which started in 1939, has seen many young golfers come through the program and more importantly, leave with skills to help them enjoy a game that they can play for a lifetime. Today, the mission of this program is no different then it was when it started thanks to many volunteers’ and a director like Loyd Walter.

Walter has been with the program since 1994 as a volunteer walker and last year accepted the director position. Through the years, Walter has seen his own children pro- gress through the program, along with many other noticeable changes, especially with the girls who play.

“Over the past few years I have noticed more girls getting involved in the game and their level of skills are so much better,” said Walter.

The FJGA is a program for kids ages 8-18, who live or go to school in Genesee County. With 1,150 golfers participating each year, the FJGA is considered not only the oldest golf program in the country, but also the largest. The program divides the golfers into three divisions: a 5-hole division (ages 8-11); a 9-hole division (ages up to 14 for boys and 15 for girls); and an 18-hole division (ages up to 18).

The entry fee is the only fee paid all year and there are no additional weekly costs. The fee includes a bag tag, a rule book, a ticket to the Buick Open tournament, pre-season instructional clinics, and discounts on instruction during the season for those who are having difficulty with the game.

Twenty six different golf courses, both private and public, allow the FJGA to use its facilities such as Warwick Hills, home of the Buick Open. In the past, several golfers that have gone through the program have played at the collegiate level or higher. Shasta Averyhardt (Jackson State University) and Ashley Bauer (University of Michigan) both of Grand Blanc played in the Michigan Women’s State Amateur this year, where each made it to the semifinals.

What is also evident in the Genesee County area and a direct tie to the FJGA is the success of the local high school teams, which many of its players are past junior golfers of the program.

“Our mission is to provide children the access to the game of golf at a young age and the end results are the state championships and high rankings these high schools have experienced in the Genesee County year after year,” explained Walter. Rick Austin, Mott Community College Golf Coach recently said, “The success of Mott’s golf program can be attributed directly to the success of Flint Junior Golf Program”.

On Monday at the Atlas Valley Country Club, 62 young men and women competed for the Hendrickson Award, which is awarded to the golfer who posts the lowest round for the day. This year’s winners were Jon Walraven who shot 74, and Katie McDougal who shot 83.

Katie beat out Bailey David by two shots while Jon edged out newcomer Emmanuel Petrich and Michael Voelck with 75s. Next week, the boys will play for the Mancour Cup at the Flint Elks Club.

For more information about the FJGA visit www.fjga.org