Page 28 - GBC summer 2016

“Everyone wants to be Brooke Henderson,” says Hofstatter. With their own space, junior golfers participate in club events and become engaged with the happ- enings of the club because they have something they really care about.
In addition to the clubhouse and unrestricted access to the golf course, junior members also have the opportunity to participate in organized competitions as part of a designated junior night each week and clinics provided by new Head Golf Professional, Chris Learmonth.
“They’re not just there to play golf or chip and putt, we consider them full members,” explains Learmonth “They want to be involved, and we try to provide them with support to enjoy the game and improve their skill level.”
THE NExT GENERATiON
For Paterson, who was part of a generation that wasn’t allowed to come to the golf course until after 2 p.m. on a weekend, it was a treat to see how welcomed the kids were, at any time.
“If someone didn’t show up for a foursome and one of the young lads was on the putting green, the old guard would invite them in. It was a natural ask,” he says. “From the senior member to the ladies to the intermediates, they all welcomed the juniors. It was awesome.”
It is helpful that the kids aren’t on the same timetable in the summer, and they aren’t trying to take away tee times from adults or regulars. With their own spot to be during the day, they’ll be there until there is an opening.
“They don’t care if they go out at 10 a.m. or 1 p.m. or 4 p.m.,” explains Hofstatter. “The access to the golf course has been smooth. They are not there to interfere with the group of older gentleman, for example, who go out every day at 8 a.m.”
THE pOTENTiAl
Paterson reflects fondly on some- thing that happened in the summer, that he believes pinpoints to when Hofstatter knew the development of a junior clubhouse for Perth was all worth it. It was pouring rain on a Friday afternoon in the summer, and there was a golf tournament going on. The tournament players had only been able to get in nine holes before the rain became too much, but the junior clubhouse was packed.
“I had more calls at
6 p.m. that summer telling me to send kids home because it was time for dinner, and the parents knew where they were.”
There were kids – a lot of kids – just hanging out. They had some putting matches. They were betting for candies. They didn’t care about the weather, and they were out of the way of everyone else.
“Pierre was so proud that it had evolved into a safe place to come,” reflects Paterson. “I had more calls at 6 p.m. that summer telling me to send kids home because it was time for dinner, and the parents knew where they were.”
“Parents have been open to letting their kids hang out there all day because it’s a good environment, it’s not a parking lot or a convenience store,” Hofstatter echoes.
And, Paterson says, he had more compliments from members and guests alike about the juniors than any other group at the club.
“As a teenager, they’re still young enough to take pride in their own spot, and keep that pride going to the next generation as well,” states Paterson. “You already see the younger siblings under the leash of the older brother or sister who are getting told, ‘you better take good care of this place like we did.’
“They’re just relishing the day they get to have their chance to call the clubhouse their own,” he concludes.
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