Learning the links

By Rick Teverbaugh, Herald Bulletin Sports Editor

PENDLETON July 01, 2009 10:09 am

— PENDLETON — Think of the Madison County Junior Golf Tour as a preparatory school for youth who want a taste of competition without many of the pressures and headaches.
On Tuesday, the summer section of the Tour neared the halfway point with a stop at Fall Creek Golf Course. There were 43 golfers on hand competing in 12 divisions, six each for boys and girls.
“There’s not a lot of places where you can play a round for $10 and have a competitive environment,” said MCJGT Commissioner Michael Proctor. “Of that $10, only $5 goes to the course so we really appreciate the pros who open up the course for us.”
The series started June 8 at Grandview Golf Course and since has visited Valley View Golf Course and Brockway Golf Course. The next stop is July 13 at Yule Golf Club in Alexandria.
“It really helps when the kids can go and play at different places and get out of their comfort zone a little,” said Jim Phillips, golf pro at Fall Creek Golf Course. “I love it when the tour comes here. Mike (Proctor) does a great job with the kids. I would like to see a sponsor come on board for this tour.”
For now, the trophies and ribbons that go to the first three in each age group come out of the other $5 not given to the course.
Eight of the dozen groups play nine holes or less. The groups of 6-year-olds and younger play four holes with special tees that make them 125 yards. The next age group plays six holes of 200 yards apiece.
Both the boys and girls in the 9-to-10 age bracket play nine holes from the ladies tees.
Within each age group is a wide variety of experience and skill. Some groups have over a 30-stroke difference between the top and the bottom players.
“The only reservation is that the kids who come need to be ready to play,” Phillips said. “He or she needs to understand the game. There is a big gap in some of the groups. It can either build a competitive fire or it can discourage them and maybe they won’t want to play again.”
Colin Proctor, who won his boys 15-18 age group with a 1-under-par 70, is also playing some state and national events. “I probably like the state tournaments a little more,” he said. “But these are really cool because I get to play with my friends. It’s really a lot of fun.”
In the boys 13-14 group, Rylan Denney and Wes Dworek tied with 77s. Denney won the title with a birdie on the third playoff hole.
“Wes is making me look good,” said Mike Proctor. “I’ve been telling people he’s going to be very good. He was shooting in the 90s last year and now he’s in the 70s and 80s.”
There’s another thing that he enjoys about the tournaments.
“My favorite thing is that the parents get to caddy for their kids,” Proctor said. “It’s great to see that interaction between the parents and their kids.”

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