The River Wilds Golf Club range and practice greens were filled with young golfers early Tuesday morning.
In addition to the regular Early Summer Jr. Golf Camp sessions and Blair High School offseason work, the 18-hole Blair course hosted a Nebraska Junior Golf (NJG) Tour stop with dew on the grass.
“It's just cool to see the kids come out and get excited,” said Sam Jonell, River Wilds Director of Golf. “It's interesting having our junior camp out there as well, so they get to see all of these kids showing up.”
NJG hosts 9-hole and 18-hole tournaments throughout the summer and across the state. On Tuesday, its River Wilds stop included 33 tee times with 92 golfers, ages 7 through 16-plus, taking part.
Jonell said his course will host an even larger NJG event in the fall.
The June tournament, though, had golfers from as far away as North Platte taking part. Notably, Fort Calhoun golfer Grady Johnson was set to play 18 holes, too.
“It's really cool just to see, obviously, a lot of support out there from the parents,” Jonell said. “A lot of parents out there caddying for their kids, and grandparents out there watching.”
All the while, River Wilds Assistant Golf Professional Jacob York and former BHS state-qualifier Mallory Stirek led Jr. Golf Camp, too. The youngsters in the early morning group focused their work on their posture and swings.
Cadence Nielsen, 6, took left-handed swings, Paisley Theulen, 5, received tips and tricks from her coaches and Logan Tasich, 9, took some big cracks, sending the yellow ball flying.
“These are, basically, the future of the game here,” Jonell said. “We want to make sure that they're being taught not only the correct form of the golf swing itself, but also the etiquette of anywhere from checking into the golf shop, repairing greens and taking care of the golf course.”
The weekly camp sessions started May 28 and continue each Tuesday through June 18. A second summer youth camp starts July 9, too.
“We're just looking for fun,” York said. “Golf is all about that. It's just about continuing to grow and continuing to enjoy the game. So, that's what I want the kids to take away from it.”
Tuesday's early group tried to beat Stirek's longest drive to close out the session.
“It's all about candy, snacks and just competition — let's see if we can beat a coach,” York said.
Jonell said he hopes the campers aspire to, one day, play 9- and 18-hole tourneys just like the one that ran right alongside them Tuesday.
