Golf in the Schools Visits Sibley Elementary, Redtail Ridge
Sibley Elementary School in Northfield and Redtail Ridge Elementary in Savage hosted Golf in the Schools programs and were added to the list of schools who have reaped the benefits of this opportunity. Northfield became the newest community to adapt the golf program at one of their local schools as we continue to see this trend grow. This was Redtail Ridge’s second year offering golf in their gym curriculum.
Jon Abbott, PGA Professional at Northfield Golf Club, volunteered to help the Sibley Elementary gym teachers run the program throughout the week.
“This is something that I’ve wanted to do for awhile and have been working with our Director of Golf on,” said Abbott. “We want to invest in the community and we feel strongly that the youth of Northfield are missing out on golf.”
Similar to other schools’ golf programs, Sibley Elementary and Redtail Ridge spent the week teaching the fundamentals of golf: putting, pitching/chipping and the full swing. The inflatables made appearances at both schools to the delight of the young kids.
“I think this program is fantastic. Being able to put a golf club in all of these kids’ hands.” said Sibley’s Physical Education teacher, Andy Jaynes. “Giving them exposure to a great, lifetime sport is what we hope to get out of it. I see a lot of smiles right now, so it’s awesome.”
PGA Professional, Gary Botkin, of Stonebrooke GC helped organize and conduct Redtail Ridge’s second consecutive year of a Golf in the Schools program.
“It is so much fun to interact and watch kids who really have no [initial] interest or knowledge of golf hit that first good shot. The excitement is very rewarding and they are hooked,” Botkin said. “They come in the gym and there is a 20-foot Golfzilla there and the kids’ eyes light up; even the teachers make a trip through the gym to see the special guest. The school becomes alive with golf stories.”
Are you a PGA Professional looking to host this golf program at a school near you? Or are you a staff member who wants to organize this at your school? Reach out to Kathy Swanson, Director of Member Services & Player Development, to learn more and start golf in your school!
The Minnesota Section PGA consists of PGA Professionals who are experts in the game and business of golf. Our mission is to promote the enjoyment and involvement of the game of golf and to contribute to its growth by providing services to golf professionals, the golf industry, people who play golf or would like to start playing golf. PGA Section Offices oversee the 41 geographic regions throughout the United States and provide the grass-roots network for the nation’s 25 million amateur golfers and with the PGA’s 27,000 members.
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