Silver Bay’s Junior Golf program brought together nineteen kids for its end-of-season tournament. The day highlighted both competition and the growth of the young golfers over the summer.
“We had a lot more kids this year participate,” said Coach Mike Guzzo, noting that twelve players competed in last year’s 9-hole tournament, showing growth in interest for the program and a growth in confidence of the young players.
The Gold Boys Division included 9 players ages 13 to 17, several of whom spent much of the summer honing their skills on the course both within and outside of the junior golf program.
“They played all nine holes and the scores were pretty impressive,” said Guzzo. “Easton Hohman had the 39 to win it, but Gordon Goutermont shot a good round of 41.”
Guzzo added that Goutermont, Hohman, and Jace Larson, who finished fourth, spent much of the summer golfing in different leagues and tournaments, sharpening their swings and testing themselves against new competition.
“We get them good experience,” said Guzzo. “All of those 9 kids have put a lot of time into golf and it’s just fun to see them go and play and be able to keep the score. They’ve learned to be good sportsman, good golfers, that’s what makes me the proudest of them.”
In the Red Boys Division, 8 golfers under 12 put their practice into play, facing both challenges and small victories along the way.
“We had a whole bunch of young ones try to see how many holes they could get in,” said Guzzo, who noted that some scores were recorded as 10 on certain holes. “They were struggling to make it around the whole course, but I think the effort was good that they thought they could try it.”
Leading the way was Jeffrey Timm, who managed to keep a 10 off his scorecard and complete 6 holes to earn the top spot.
Three girls competed in the Red Girls Division, all under 17, with Berkley Hoff coming in first place. “She shot a good score of 41,” reported Guzzo.
For Guzzo, the tournament was about more than scores.
“We’re happy to see kids playing golf and being able to try to keep their score and learn the etiquette and the integrity of golf,” he said. “I think it’s really important for kids.”
All participants received a sleeve of golf balls and other prizes, while Hohman and Hoff took home trophies for their first place finishes.
Looking ahead, Guzzo said the program has momentum.
“There’s a lot of interest in it, that’s for sure,” he said. “We’ve started to turn out some pretty good golfers. All these young kids are pretty good and the ones that participated all have potential to be a pretty good golfer.”
He expressed gratitude to the parents, families, and golf course staff who helped make the program and tournament possible.
As the last putts dropped and the final scorecards were tallied, the tournament was about more than competition. It showcased young athletes learning a lifelong game, taking with them not just trophies and prizes but lessons in patience, integrity, and sportsmanship.
Congratulations to Berkley Hoff, Easton Hohman, and all the participants for a great end-of-season tournament!
