A record 31 girls from ages 9 to 13 have taken part in this year’s Golf SA ‘Girls Golf Camp’, a development camp held over 3 days, which includes a 2-night stay at the camp base at Scotch College.
Girls came from all over South Australia to take part, including country regions such, as Naracoorte, Whyalla, Tanunda, Sandy Creek, Murray Bridge and Broken Hill. Some girls were attending their fifth consecutive camp.
The camp was very much about having fun, while introducing the basic concepts of golf and teaching the girls the skills required to play the game.
The skills and topics covered included putting, chipping, pitching, driving, game play and fitness. Basic rules and etiquette was also covered.
After skills sessions each morning with PGA Professional Anne-Marie Knight and Sarah Douglass-Norris, the girls travelled in the afternoon by bus to play 18 holes. The first two afternoons the girls tackled the North Adelaide Par 3 course for an ambrose and then individual event and on the final afternoon, the girls participated in the McCormacks Autumn Cup at Adelaide Shores.
A highlight for the girls, was meeting 398 world ranked South Australian golf professional Stephanie Na, who attended the camp on Monday night to have dinner with the girls and participate in a Q&A.
Na took one question from each girl, with questions ranging from how she got started in the game, how often she practices, what her favorite shot is and who are some of her best friends on tour.
Na then signed autographs and left each girl with a signed photo of her competing in this year’s ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, where she finished tied 19th.
1997 Australian Open Champion and South Australian Golf Hall of Fame Member Jane Crafter benefited greatly from attending the SA’s Girl’s Golf Camps as a junior, when they were held down in McLaren Vale at Tatachilla.
“I have many fond memories of fun times”. Crafter said back in 2015.
“Not only will you be learning a great deal about golf, the fundamentals of the game and the importance of etiquette, you will also be making lifelong friends with other girls who love golf too. Golf is a game for a lifetime and these types of camps are a wonderful building block for your character and your game”.
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