Share

Aug 14 – Things have come full-circle for Port Rowan’s Tammy Holliday.

Growing up, Holliday’s family was heavily involved in the golf business, which cultivated both her passion and respect for the sport. This week, Holliday is teaching the next generation as the head instructor of the Norfolk County Kids Golf Camp.

For three hours each morning from July 29-Aug 2, Holliday helped youngsters ages 10-13 improve their game at the Port Dover Golf Club (formerly Lynn Meadows).

“It’s exciting, it really is,” said Holliday. “It’s inspirational to see them play. They’re all really good, team players. Golf is a gentle-persons game and they’re showing that.”

 

With students of varying experience levels, Holliday focused on the basics – proper grip, stance, and shoulder alignment. She also spoke to players about the psychological aspect, which can oftentimes be more important than technique.

“It’s a mental game and they’re only really playing against themselves,” Holliday explained.

“A lot of young golfers tend to think you have to get up there and kill it, so I talk to them about a nice, easy follow-through – keep it relaxed, keep it smooth.”

 

For Waterford’s Max Welsh (12), a big-hitting righty, the decision to attend the camp was an easy one.

“I’ve been playing for six years and getting lessons from my grandpa and I started hitting the ball well so I wanted to come to golf camp,” he said.

“Before this week I was shooting 62 on nine holes and I think after this I might be getting 55-56 because of how much it’s helped.”

As a sharp-shooting lefty, Jarvis native Stephen Reidy (12) said he was able to develop two very important parts of his game.

“Definitely driving the ball and putting,” he noted.

Throughout the camp, Holliday stressed fair play and golf etiquette – don’t walk in a player’s putting line, keep bags off the green, shake hands after a round, etc.

“With my background coming from the pro shop side of things, that is really important,” she said. “Any golf course owner respects that. It’s a need and a demand to go out and treat the course with respect and that ripples down to the other players following behind you or in your group.”

It would be impossible for an instructor to turn any player from a beginner to pro in five days, but the process is part of the fun, and there are certainly worse ways to spend summer days in Norfolk County.

“It’s been nice being on a golf course in this weather and with how easy-going these guys are, how well they’ve learned the game, and how well they’ve worked together,” said Holliday. “It’s great seeing that new generation coming up and their respect for golf.”

To register for Norfolk County kids camps, log onto nora.norfolkcounty.ca or call customer service at 519-426-5870 or 226-NORFOLK Ext. 2233