From humble beginnings and coaching a small group once a year, Adelaide’s Tea Tree Gully Golf Club now hosts regular MyGolf clinics and couldn’t be happier with the results.
PGA professionals Shane Baxter and Ian Devlin, with more than 20 years’ combined experience, run the events to provide an encouraging, safe and friendly environment.
Each clinic entails long game, short game and putting skills, before heading out on course for a fun, reduced-tees competition.
The MyGolf program truly is the beginning of a pathway to a bright future in golf, with many success stories coming from the events held at TTG.
“Our goal, at a club level, is to encourage participation at all levels of junior golf,” said Tea Tree Gully co-ordinator, Michael Haberfield.
“The MyGolf program introduces kids who have not had exposure to golf previously and gives them the opportunity to play on a course that is typically for members only.
“We have seen great improvement in kids who have attended sessions during the year and have given kids the opportunity to play some fantastic courses around metropolitan Adelaide.”
One of the participants, Zac Grice, was lucky enough to be selected to attend the Emirates Australian Open in Sydney last year.
Zac helped in the presentations after the tournament – something he will never forget! He also attended a junior clinic with Cameron Smith, including private coaching.
Another success story from MyGolf beginnings is seven-year-old Katie Seol.
Beginning her golfing career at five, and after many hours of practice, Katie has progressed to the Tea Tree Gully’s division two pennant team.
Earlier this year Katie, attended the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open as a first tee starter. Katie’s tee shot to open the event hurtled down the middle of the fairway and she celebrated with a customary cartwheel.
Two participants from the original MyGolf program in 2013, Jimmy Luo and Jack Haberfield, have also gone on to represent South Australia.
Jimmy progressed from MyGolf participant to division two captain, Sharp Cup pennant captain and wins in the men’s Simpson and Bonnar Cup pennant teams.
Jack was one of the youngest members at Tea Tree Gully, starting out at age five. Jack has been on the division two pennant team for three years and was runner-up in the 2018 junior club championships.
“These are just some of the amazing examples of how the MyGolf program has benefited not only junior golfers but also dramatically increased participation rates at grass roots level,” Michael said.
“Tea Tree Gully Golf Club is proud to host regular MyGolf events and, as a result of the program, we have been able to build on our 60 strong junior membership base. We would encourage clubs thinking of starting up a program to jump on board, as the juniors are the future of this great game.”
To register to a MyGolf program near you, please visit mygolf.org.au and enter your postcode.