The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Girls golf group chips in for charity
HARWINTON » Lots of dads coach Little League teams. Litchfield’s Chris Thompson, a lifelong golfer with three daughters, decided to spend his spare-time efforts on helping girls learn about his sport.
A year ago, with the help of Fairview Farm golf pro Bob Sparks, he formed a local chapter of USGA-LPGA Girls Golf.
Saturday, the 21 members, ranging from 6-11 years old were ready to learn about the relationship between golf and charity.
“I read a story on the LPGA web site about Golf Fore Africa,” he said. “They had a big scramble tournament, but I thought it would be nice to add a putt-a-thon to our program to show how golf and charity are connected.”
Following the fourth of five hour-and-a-half weekly summer sessions, Thompson explained again to the dozen girls on hand that Golf Fore Africa is a cause founded by former golf pro Betsy King to alleviate the problem of bringing water to the villages girls their age live in.
Many young girls and women, he explained, carry water jugs up to 45 pounds apiece 2-6 miles a day — about as far as Fairview Farm to Litchfield, where many of Saturday’s kids live — just to satisfy their families’ basic needs.
The group, officially known
as Girls Golf of Litchfield County, agreed that it was, indeed, a cause worthy of their best putts in search of a sponsorship goal of $250 (they made well over $330).
“I think it’s really unfair,” said Marin Taylor.
“I think they should have a well near their homes,” said Leah Zappone.
For golf pro Sparks, it was just another small example of why “I love coaching kids.
“They’re impressionable, fun and enjoy the game,” said Sparks, who also coaches a thriving Gilbert School golf team in Winsted.
The sessions before the putt-a-thon, meant by Thompson to be an introduction to the sport, offered more enthusiasm. The girls freewheeled through exercises like throwing a ball sideways to mimic a golf swing, pretending swim noodles and chairs were golf clubs and balls; yoga stretching exercises with golf club in hand, then off to the putting green and driving range
Young Avery Zappone volunteered, “My family really likes golf. We played just yesterday.”
On the other hand, Ali Kyonka said, “I don’t get to do it a lot, so I like coming here.”
“My parents want me to do it,” said Serafina Wojcik.
“I like golf because it’s really fun,” summarized Leah Zappone.
Mission accomplished for golf, along with some heartfelt help for far less fortunate kids in Africa.