Growing Saskatchewan junior golfers
Jeff Chambers is the Saskatchewan Golf Association provincial coach and the RCGA Regional Coach for the province and is interviewed by Stan Bartlett of SaskGolfer.com. Chambers teaches more than 600 young golfers each season through Future Links golf camps
1. With about 25 per cent of the Saskatchewan population golfing and only a handful making it to elite ranks over the years, the province is well-known for its quantity rather than its quality of golfers. Why?
The lack of elite players in Saskatchewan is because there isn’t enough top competition to force others to raise their level of play. In the junior ranks kids often can shoot scores of 72 to 75 and they can usually win or place in the top 3. There’s not much incentive to get them to work hard on their game when their normal average game is good enough. These are great scores for a lot of people but if they compare themselves nationally they are way down the line. Provinces like BC and Alberta have 12 and 13 year olds shooting under par in each event.
We need some more players like Graham DeLaet of Weyburn to set the bar and for people to really work at chasing him. There is CPGA professional services to help good players become great but very few take advantage.
2. Briefly, how would you describe the current state of junior golf development in the province?
Junior development in our province is definitely on the upward swing. The Saskatchewan Golf Association (SGA) is working and exploring different things to increase the quantity of players in our province through the Future Links Programs, and the quality of players by offering winter training camps and elite player mental training. We do have some great players with some terrific talent. We simply need more of these great players to increase the level of play to prepare for the big National events.
We also have a large amount of girls starting out and more programs to hopefully keep their interest in the game. Each year the SGA has increased the financial assistance we offer our top players too. This year we awarded over $13,000 in scholarships to 16 recipients going on to post-secondary education. We also gave out $4,800 in athlete assistance to 16 recipients. The assistance helps some of our top players with various expenses including; training costs, equipment improvements and travel.
3. If you're of a young person, what's the secret to becoming a high quality, competitive golfer?
To become a high quality player in golf a young person must have good athletic skill and good hand-eye coordination. Also, flexibility and decent strength or height is important. With physical skills to get started, the player must show signs of dedication to the sport. There is some individuals where natural talent is enough but this is the case with very few.
Most players have to practice and play a lot to become really good. The biggest thing is they must play as much as possible and be competitive. Having fun with friends is great but they must play with good golfers and learn from them.
4. What about from the point of view of a parent or a coach?
Parents must realize they can’t force their child into being the next Tiger Woods. They can merely support the sport and supply the opportunity. Forcing your child to practice will NOT produce great play and the child will grow to hate the sport. As a coach, I offer my services to those that want it. I am not forcing myself onto anyone because if the individual doesn’t want my help then it’s their choice and I’ll concentrate my efforts on those that really want to raise their competition level to the top. Kids realize to be the best it takes a lot of time and work. Some just don’t care to put the effort in and that’s fine. For those that want to practice and get professional help, I hope the parents support it and provide an opportunity.
5. Tell me about the Future Links Program in Saskatchewan? Is it paying dividends?
Future Links is a program that is designed to raise the level of interest in the game of golf. It provides professional instruction to kids in small towns and the inner city areas that do not have the resources of a CPGA Professional in the area. Over 600 kids benefit from the program each year in our Province alone, many of which have never golfed until I arrive to do a clinic. It’s a great feeling to get kids interested in the game of golf. The program is worthwhile because by exposing kids to the game of golf we are providing them with some of the base fundamentals to participate in the lifelong game of golf.
6. Is there more interest in golf among young people compared to 10 or 20 years ago? Is there still a "Tiger Woods, Mike Weir and Annika Sorenstam" effect going on?
Without a doubt Tiger Woods has had a huge impact on the game of golf for juniors. Each junior clinic I do, the name Tiger Woods is always brought up by the kids and Mike Weir is not far behind. This is a great thing and with the young skill coming out each year, we are sure to find another Tiger Woods out there somewhere. If Mike Weir manages to get himself in the headlines some more it will continue to help Canadian kids push more to succeed. Annika Sorenstam has had a huge impact on female participation over the past years, but Michelle Wie will probably be the biggest reason why young girls take up competitive golf now and in the future.
7. What additional efforts can golf course professionals and operators take in order to encourage junior development?
Golf courses really need to look at their junior program and work at it. Some courses do a great job in attracting junior players. One course always mentioned for producing a lot of junior golfers is the Wildwood Golf Course in Saskatoon. There is no secret to their success. They offer great affordable rates to allow all kids an opportunity to participate in the game. From there they offer the kids respect and treat them as any other member. Most courses charge too much and then treat kids on the course as children and then give them limited times to play.
I hope the different golf course operators and professionals take a good look at how successful or unsuccessful their junior program is and then evaluate how they can attract new kids and then retain them so they enjoy their time at the course. Clubs definitely should be looking at the problems of female participation in junior golf. Lots of young girls start or try the sport but very few continue to play the game. Courses must try things to keep their interest in the game. The Hillcrest Golf Course in Moose Jaw is stepping up and leading the way with starting a girls club at their course. They have over 120 girls taking part in the program. If one small city can get that many girls to start golfing, imagine what our city courses and other rural centers can do for junior golf in our Province. I hope more golf courses take on the challenge of growing our sport.
8. Can you recommend a few websites where readers can find out more about junior golf development in Saskatchewan and Canada?
Some useful websites offering assistance to readers wanting to find out more information on junior golf development in Saskatchewan and Canada are:
