Closer to home, June stacks up as a busy month. With school letting out, junior programs are swinging into high gear, and the summer is filled with special events and opportunities.
Next Sunday, June 8, the last Rules, Etiquette and Care of Course seminars will take place. Put on by the state’s PGA Professionals, Superintendents and the MSGA, these seminars are designed to prepare young golfers for tournament play and play around adults.
Unlike most juniors sports, golf mixes everyone together during the most popular times of play, and an understanding of these things makes the game more pleasant for all.
The seminars will take place at Point Sebago, Samoset Resort, Terry Adams Golf Preserve and Island Green. Juniors also should check with their local professional, because many have their own clinics for kids who can’t travel to the other sessions. Dave Mazzeo of Norway Country Club told me his juniors will receive the training in the regular Friday clinics.
June 25 is the date for the U.S. Kids State Championships at the Samoset.
The tournament for kids 12-and-under will qualify young golfers in different age groups to attend the U.S. Kids World Championships in Williamsburg, Va., July 30 to August 2. The cost is $40 when registering online at www.uskidsgolf.com. Details about the competition and the company can be found at the site.
The company developed in 1997 around the idea that special clubs for kids under 12 should be much lighter than junior or cut-down clubs. The site has information about the clubs and the company.
Head Pro Chris Christie says the event is wide open with plenty of room for more players. An added benefit is playing Samoset, where five years of renovations are now complete. The last of the newly designed holes opened last August. According to Christie, the course came through the winter in great shape.
The biggest pro event in June is the Greater Portland Open with an $11,000 first prize. In its eighth year, this Riverside event benefits the Barron Center for assisted living and will take place June 25-27 with the Pro-Am on Tuesday the 24th.
June’s MSGA schedule includes some important events starting with today’s Father-Son tournament at Natanis. The second of three Scholastic Classics to raise money for the Scholarship fund will take place at Prout’s Neck June 10. Maine Amateur qualifiers are set for Sanford on June 17, Brunswick on June 23, and Bangor Municipal on June 25.
A new championship, Parent-Child, is being introduced at Boothbay CC.
Rather than change the popular Father-Son, it was decided to add a tournament for fathers and daughters, mothers and sons or mothers and daughters. No handicaps are necessary, as net prizes will be awarded through the Callaway System. There will be gross and net prizes for age divisions 14-and-under, 15-to-18 and 19-and-over. Check the MSGA Web site for information on all of these events at www.mesga.org.
Finally, don’t forget Father’s Day. If your dad is a golfer, there are plenty of suitable golf gifts. If you take Dad to Sugarloaf on the big day, his green fee is free with one other fully paid fee. Call the ‘Loaf for details.
Of course, if he’s like me, he leaves a lot of golf balls scattered around the course. They are always an appreciated gift.
Dave Irons is a freelance writer who lives in Westbrook.
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