Budding superstars tee off with expert lessons
Cade Webb from Golf NSW recently visited Finley Public School to conduct Lunchtime Launch It!
As the regional manager for the Murray region, Webb has a rewarding job visiting schools in the area to give students the opportunity to try the game of golf.
All students from Kindy to Year 6 were allowed to participate on the day.
They hit balls into a net and a ‘launch monitor’ measured the distance of each shot. Several students had already learnt some of the skills required through lessons provided by teacher Brett Murphy, who is a Level 1 MyGolf community coach.
Murphy is a Year 5/6 teacher who has been put on assignment to Finley Public School as part of the Rural Experience Program. This program brings teachers from cities to experience life in a rural town.
He has been coaching golf in schools for more than four years and was keen to give juniors the benefit of the Lunchtime Launch It! program.
“I really enjoy watching the students learning new skills in a game that most have not played before,” he said. “My class (5/6M) completes lessons with me each week as part of their sport program.
“They not only learn the techniques of golf, but part of the golf program is to also design their own course around the playground and play it.”
In May this year 5/6M were also
invited to attend an excursion at Tocumwal Golf Club, and experience golf in a clinic as part of the Southern Division ( Victoria, Tasmania & South Australia) PGA Associates Championships.
“We are very lucky to have so many supportive businesses in the Berrigan Shire”, Muphy said.
“We have an amazing sporting community here in Finley and my *
hope is that we can get some junior players into golf to enjoy the friendships, game play and beautiful courses.”
Webb and Murphy were delighted with the enthusiasm displayed by the students to test their skills in the practice net and on the putting mat.
Finley Golf Club captain Sharon Pyle was invited to view the
program, and was impressed with the setup. “Cade explained to me how this could also be incorporated at a club level, by offering members and the public a chance to practice in a relaxed environment and make a fun game out of golf,” Pyle said.
“This is something I would like
to pursue further with him in the future. I am hoping to introduce some junior programs later in the year which would also include a mini league. We now have a short course available to play, which is ideal for junior players.”
Anyone wishing to try golf is encouraged to contact Finley Golf