×

Kids take part in John Ballantyne Memorial Junior Golf Program

The Inter-Mountain photos by Lydia Rhodes Each child participating in the annual John Ballantyne Memorial Junior Golf Program tournament Monday evening at the Elks Golf Course receives a trophy.

ELKINS — Local children ages 6 to 16 took part in the annual John Ballantyne Memorial Junior Golf Program Monday evening at the Elks Golf Course.

The evening consisted of a golf tournament, teaching of techniques, a pizza party and awards. The event drew approximately 45 junior participants. There were 76 children at last year’s event.

The program was started in 1991 by Joe Walker and the late John Blatantly, who ran the program for around 15 years.

“The day before John passed he said Robin (Mams) and I must start the junior golf program back up,” Walker said. “That was what he really cared about. He specifically said that her and I take the responsibility.”

This year’s event was put together by co-directors Walker and Mams as well as Kenny George.

Raighan Carte smiles after ‘almost fainting’ from surprise after hitting a hole-in-one at Monday’s event.

“Golf is a sport you can play for all your life up until the day you die,” Mams said. “Anyone can play. You don’t have to be small or fast for this sport. I also like it because you are competing against yourself. You challenge yourself to become better each time you play.”

The program is not just about golf, Mams said. The program aims to teach kids certain life skills along with the fundamentals of golf.

The group focuses on the “First Tee Nine Core Values” which include honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment.

The importance of values were stressed throughout the event Monday.

“If you swing your club and miss the ball, it is called a whiff, which counts as a stroke,” a volunteer said. “If you get a whiff, you must count it and that is part of the honesty and integrity we talked about earlier.”

The program also gives each child a free golf club, a t-shirt, plastic practice balls and a trophy.

“We’re teaching the kids to put, grip, swing and stance but I think this is the most important thing we do,” Walker said.

“Some of these kids might not play basketball or some other sport, so they may not get another trophy. They’re going to be able to take these home and be proud of themselves.”

The six winners of the tournament also received trophies.

This program also provides the opportunity for children involved to receive professional lessons, and has helped create a golf class as part of the curriculum in grade schools.

Volunteers for the event included the Elkins High School and Tygarts Valley golf teams and several members of Elks Lodge 1135.

Major supporters for the program include The Snowshoe Foundation, Elkins Lodge 1135, the Randolph County Commission, the Kiwanis Club of Elkins, Reckart Logistics and several local individuals.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $3.92/week.

Subscribe Today