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Youth Program Teaches the Fundamentals of Golf
by
Jim Broady

Excerpt from SoundOff, page 16, July 31, 1997

While the formal instruction provided by the Aesop Robinson Golf Association Junior Golf program here ended July 24, the youngsters who participated will have several free opportunities to practice what they learned in coming months. With the blessing of The Courses officials, 71 registered youths played several holes under the supervision of instructors beginning 4:00 p.m. on August 18, September 13, and October 11. "We had a tremendous response to the program this year," said Garnet Vintes, the association's first President and current assistant Chaplain. "I attribute this year's success to Tiger Woods. These kids are out here because Tiger's story has caught their attention and made them become interested in the game."

The Aesop Robinson Golf Association was formed in 1980 in memory of retired Sgt. 1st Class Aesop Robinson who died of a heart attack while playing a round of golf at Enterprise Golf Course. When Robinson was stricken, his golf partners did not realize the magnitude of the string of events that would lead to the quite lengthy period of time it took to establish contact with family members and other friends. The Association was initially formed to establish formal channels of communication and consolidate golf friendships to preclude a similar problem.

The composition of the association is diverse - active, reserve and retired military and Department of Defense and Morale, Welfare and Recreation civilians. This year (1997) the Association joined with golf pros to spark interest in the game with local youths, 8 to 18. Volunteers from the group augmented course instructors allowing in-depth, two-hour, golf instruction once a week for four weeks beginning this month. The course introduced the youth to basic rules and skills of golf and provided course familiarization.

Aesop Robinson Golf Association volunteers will continue to help the youngster in follow-up monthly sessions through October. The Association plans to offer their support for the Junior Golf Program again next summer [and into the foreseeable future]. "The kids had a lot of fun and so did we," Vintes said. "It was exciting to see them come out with little or no skills and really catch the (golfing) fever."

Jim Broady
Former ARGA Secretary