Junior Golf Clinics to cater to nearly 100 youths this summer

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — The reason why they have “Tee Times” is because not everyone can’t golf at once.

Likewise, a maximum number needs to be imposed to youth golf lessons to keep them effective and organized.

“We limit each group to 25 participants,” Heidi Pavlovich said of the Cedar Ridge/Charles City YMCA Junior Golf Clinic, which its first session is underway at Cedar Ridge CG.

“The problem is, we hate to turn kids away. That’s why we added a second session in July.”

Each session is divided into two groups: one for ages 7-9 and another for ages 10-14. For the current session, the younger group is maxed and the older is at near capacity.

“For the next session (July 12-14, 19-21) both groups are filling up,” Pavlovich said. “So we’ll nearly have 100 junior golfers this year.”

When Pavlovich started a Junior Golf Clinic at Cedar Ridge 11 years ago shortly after becoming the course’s manager, turning kids away wasn’t a problem.

“Then I met Jaime (Caffrey),” Pavlovich said of the CC YMCA program director. “We started talking about golf because we both played in college. Then we decided maybe we should work together in putting together this clinic.

“That’s when it took off.”

The one-hour format for Wednesday was broken down into three stations: short game on the putting green; long game on the driving range; and miniature game while playing a single hole.

In addition to Pavlovich and Caffrey, other instructors included Brent Estlund, former Charles City All-Stater and current Upper Iowa women’s golfer Megan Joerger, and Theo Arndt, who was one of the top golfers on the Comets boys golf team this spring.

“On our last day we’ll have a lot of our retired members out her helping with pizza party and other activities,” Pavlovich said. “Every kid gets a package — T-shirt, golf balls, tees, divot fixer … ball markers.

“And we give them access to the whole course. The can play best-ball … regular golf.”

For 18 holes?

“The usually play only three,” Pavlovich said. “It takes awhile before you can play 18.”

* The Charles City YMCA will hold its annual golf tournament at Cedar Ridge on June 27 with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. The format is four-person best shot on 18 holes — flighted.

Cost is $40 per person or $160 per team. Half a cart rental is $13. Fees include green fees and meal after the tournament.

There will be Flight cash prizes, Closest to the Pin/Longest Drive prizes, 50/50 raffle, and door prizes for everyone.

For more information, call 641-228-6465.