PGA Junior League
The first match of the season for the Northern Santa Barbara County PGA Junior League was held on Wednesday at Zaca Creek Golf Course.Twenty-three future PGA and LPGA tour players, 13 years old and under participated and had a great afternoon of golf, prizes and pizza. The kids were awesome! The golf, the good nature of the event, the comradery, fun and learning experience for the kids were all fantastic. The Santa Maria team, coached by Lompoc LPGA Pro Julia Heath came out on top of Coach Bob’s Zaca Creek team in a well-contested match by a score of 7 1/2 to 4 ½. But it wasn’t about the score. It was all about kids having fun, being introduced to this great game in a relaxed environment, and families having a great experience together.
The event was supported by a total of 65 golf enthusiasts, including parents, players, coaches, and spectators. The course was in great shape and the hospitality at Zaca Creek is always excellent.
What a fun day! Thanks go out to parents, Jim Vreeland Ford, Antonios Pizza, Chumash Casino, Mike Brown and the staff at Zaca Creek for all of the support!
Sharpen up your short game.
I would like to offer some advice on improving your golf game aroud the greens. This is part of a series of simple tips to help you score better. I strongly recommend you practice with a purpose, and learn to “score” your practice session.
Start your practice by hitting some short putts, get comfortable with your method and alignment etc. , then try to make ten in a row. Challenge yourself! Test your ability to focus and execute when the shots have meaning and purpose! Next, practice some medium and long range putts, after you have a feel for the speed of the green and your putting stroke, see how many you get within two feet out of ten attempts from around 30 feet.. Next hit some chip and run shots, focusing on good fundamentals and contact. Then, set a goal (In exaple, how many 50 foot chips out of five, within three feet )and again, see how you are able to perform. You should continue this progressive and performance based practice with all of the shots that you face around the green (wedges,bunker shots etc.) during an actual round. It will help you to improve your scoring ability by virtue of spending more time on short game practice, learning to focus better, and by getting comfortable hitting shots that count! This way, or a similar practice session places value on the shots you are hitting, and helps to prepare physicaly and mentaly for on the course playing conditions.
Practice Playing the Game
When you evaluate this type of practice session, it will give you a realistic idea of how you will perfom on the course. If you are not pleased with the percentage of successful shots, keep working at it until you are able to practice at the level you wish to play at. Practice with a purpose! Don’t Just whack at a pile of balls.
California Blind and Disabled Summer Classic
Thank you to all who support the Blind and Disabled Golf Program. You are awsome! The volunteers, cadies ,coaches and pro am participants are good people who give their time and energy to others. Let’s again celebrate our friend Howard Shaw and his accomplishments and on August 26th and 27th at 12:30. Olde School Golf School will be hosting the California Blind and Disabled Summer Golf Classic. This is an event that Howard established in 1999. Any one wishing to participate, or support the Classic in any capacity, contact the California Blind And Disabled Golf committee at 805-698-6224, or go to www.oldeschoolgolf school.com to register.
During the event, participants will be paired with a blind or disabled player in the Saturday scramble, which is an interesting opportunity and learning experience. One of the per-tournament activities will be a blind -golf short game challenge, where participants are blindfolded, and have a coach assist them with a putting and chipping competition. This will allow you some insight about blind golf, and give you an opportunity to explore the feel, timing, rhythm, and routine aspects of the game.
So bring a foursome, or volunteer, and have a great time while supporting a great cause.
Don’t forget to practice with a purpose!
Bob k.
www.oldeschoolgolfschool.com