I always hear the NFL preseason reports and the start of the back to school sales and think what happened to summer.
Well we are going to have a lot of activities for the young golfers to participate in August.
First of all comes the Golf Scramble just for kids. This event will be held at the Jack Hoeven Wee Links Sunday , Aug. 1 and will be a noon shotgun start for boy and girls ages 4-14. There is a $5 entry fee and that includes golf, prizes and food. This event is sponsored by the Minot Optimist Club and Murphy Motors and KMOT-TV. You must sign up early and you can find all about it on Facebook at Minot Youth Golf Classic. Hopefully this will be an annual event and we look forward to the kids having a great time!
Next we are going to have a Club 15 tournament for any kids that signed up for Club 15. Even if you have not completed the 15 rounds, you are eligible to play. It will be a nine hole event. We will play golf at 10 a.m. and then have a barbeque for the kids and parents at noon.
Friday, Aug. 6 will be the Minot Daily City Junior Championship held at Souris Valley Golf Course. The entry fee will be $5 and we will assign tee times starting at 10 a.m. Lunch will be provided following play. Sign up for this event at Souris Valley. This will be for boys and girls 13-18 and will be 18 holes.
Thursday, Aug. 12, the Jack Hoeven Wee Links will host the Minot Daily News City Pee Wee Championship for boy and girls 12 and under. The event will be 9 holes and will start tee times at 10 a.m. Sign up at the Wee links for this event. That night we will also host a night for youngsters with special abilities. If you would like to help or volunteer on any of these events please let me know.
Wednesday night, Aug. 18 will be the Pro Pee Wee at the Wee Links. Jon Hanson lines up some of the young pros on the Dakota Tours and they team up with kids to play a team event. It is an awesome night as the young pros have as much fun as the kids.
Thursday, Aug. 20, will be the WalMart Back to School Scramble. There is a $2 charge for this event and we make up the teams. It will start at 10 a.m. and is for boys and girls. Mom's and dad's make sure you check this one out as we give school supplies for prizes and will also have a little lunch for the kids. We will also draw for four, $25 gift certificates at WalMart to help with those back to school clothes or supplies.
Phew!!!!
And last but not least we will host the Pitch, Putt and Drive competition at the Jack Hoeven Course for kids. Registration will be from 5-6 p.m. and will be sponsored by the Minot Junior Golf Association.
Also please mark your calendars for Sept. 18. That will be the date for the Annual Flat Screen Open. This is a two person event and really is a blast. If you never have played you should give it a try (some great prizes and great food and great comraderie).
Tip of the week: I watch a lot of golfers tee off without ever teeing off or hit a few putts or chips. If you want to score better get to the course a little early and do some warm ups and practice putting and chipping. You will notice the difference in your confidence level and score.
Rule of the week: Ball at rest moved. If your ball at rest is moved by someone else or another ball, replace it without penalty to you.
Quote of the week: Golf has achieved success because it is clean and honorable and healthful; because it takes men out of doors, brings them in touch with nature; because the game is adapted to all conditions and character of man and woman kind and because a poor player can get as much fun out of it, as much exercise, and as much air and health as an expert
From Harpers Magazine Volume XCV Year 1897
Grow the game tip: Have a friend or spouse walk along with you for 9 holes and just watch and maybe they will have an interest to take up the game. We all must work to Grow the Game
Good Golfing and keep it in the fairway. Steve
(Steve Kottsick is the head golf professional at Souris Valley Golf Course. He writes a regular column during golf season and can be reached via email at sports@minotdailynews.com)