The junior golfers at Silver Bay spent their Wednesdays learning all things golf, moving from the practice green to the fairways. Mike Guzzo said they had another strong turnout this season and a good mix of new and returning kids. “We had 38 golfers this year,” he said.
“We switched junior golf to basically age 8 to 17.”
The change, excluding 5-to 7-year-old kids, made the sessions easier to manage and gave the older kids more room to grow. The younger group, ages 8 to 10, was the larger of the two, with just over twenty golfers. The 11 to 17 group followed, steady and focused, learning the longer shots and the patience that comes with them. Guzzo said the split helped both groups stay engaged.
“This setup worked better for everyone,” he explained.
The season ended with a tournament that gave the kids a chance to see their names on a leaderboard. Gordy Goutermont won the boys division for ages 12 to 17, and Berkley Hoff took the girls title. Guzzo said Hoff has the potential to be a strong golfer if she keeps at it.
A younger division played their own shortened course, and Rory Pearson finished first among the under-12 golfers.
The junior golf program will return next summer, and Guzzo expects the same mix of energy and steady improvement. For now, the kids who spent their Wednesdays on the course can carry a little pride into fall, knowing they were part of a good season.
