Children
welcome to golf at Brigham City's Eagle Mountain course
By Amy Bodily
March 3, 2008 | BRIGHAM CITY -- Kids are thrilled with
the snow now, but it won't be long before school is
out, it is 90 degrees outside and those same kids could
trade in their complaints of boredom for a round of
golf.
Brigham City's Eagle Mountain Golf Course has been
named the most "kid friendly" golf course by Utah's
Professional Golf Association twice in the last 5 years.
Chris Marx, the course's golf pro, said youth are typically
discouraged from golfing on courses around the state.
However, he believes he can offer golf to people of
all ages.
"Most of our money comes from [adult golfers], but
there are ways to make it work for everyone," said Marx.
He has accomplished this by simply being conscious
of who is on the course and where, and placing the youth
in areas were they can have a good time without getting
in the way of more serious golfers.
Marx said there are programs available for everyone,
from the teacher looking for field trip opportunities
to the child who just wants to try it a few times. And,
for the ones who find they really enjoy the sport, there
are lessons, leagues, and even a high school girls'
golf team.
For a fun introduction to golf, Eagle Mountain hosts
Clubs for Kids each year on the third Saturday in June.
This one-day event is open to kids of all ages. It includes
free balls, a kid-size golf club, putting contests,
lunch and a trick show.
"We do things like try to hit the ball with a baseball
bat and other weird stuff," said Marx.
Kids who don't want to compete but just enjoy the
game can come golf on Mondays for $2.50 per game. Season
passes are also available.
Junior lessons are available on a weekly basis beginning
the week after school ends. Children can start lessons
at age 6, and by age 8 they can move into the junior
league and begin competing in tournaments.
But, Marx doesn't believe in just teaching them how
to play the game. Rules and etiquette are key components
to lessons at Eagle Mountain. He said teaching etiquette
on the golf course teaches children to think about other
people, not just themselves. And, they learn the rules
of the game and to police their own game, calling penalties
on themselves instead of seeing how much they can get
away with.
"It does two things," Marx said. "Knowing the rules
helps them to be better golfers . . . and the same in
society, if we learn the rules and the perimeters we
have to work in, then we can become better citizens."
And, for those who are really interested, Marx said
they shouldn't turn away because they don't have clubs.
"I am not going to let that be an obstacle," he said.
Golf is growing in popularity, and with the increased
interest, the Utah High School Activities Association
has sanctioned a girls' golf team as this year. Kevin
Peterson will be coaching and is in the process of organizing
a team right now.
The team will be meeting at the golf course every
day this week at 3 p.m. Anyone who is interested in
participating can meet them there, or call Peterson
for more information at 513-1391.
For information about the other youth programs, call
the Eagle Mountain Golf Course at 723-3212.
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