Junior Golf Booklet 2022

JUNIOR GOLF 2022 PROGRAM

WELCOME TO THE 2022 JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAM! We are very pleased to offer an outstanding line-up of junior golf programming in 2022. Whether your junior is picking up a club for the first time, a junior golf camp veteran, or a seasoned tournament competitor, there is an offering to engage and challenge every junior golfer.

The list Junior Golf listing of programs on the following page illustrates the programs available at every age, depending on the skill and commitment level of your junior.

For 2022, we are continuing our philosophy of coaching the game from the hole backward. Juniors learn a variety of skills, and are tested on a score-based system (Operation 36) from various distances. We continue to offer additional certifications beyond the Merit Tag this year for juniors over age 10.

Our entire PGA Professional Staff is looking forward to seeing your junior on the golf course this season!, is looking forward to seeing your junior on the golf course this season! Please contact the Golf Shop for more information on how your junior can get involved.

Sincerely,

Michael Shank, PGA Director of Golf

2022 JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAMS

OPERATION THIRTY SIX The challenge we set for our players is the score of 36 (par for 9 holes) from progressively longer distances. By working from green to tee-box versus the traditional tee-box to green it lowers the challenge point, and is a motivating way to learn and progress in the sport. Each level has multiple areas of concentration that allow for improvement in all areas of a player’s game culminating in the passing of each level.

AGE PROGRAMS Below is a list of all Junior Golf offerings based on age. Corresponding events are included that are applicable for the coming year.

Ages 4-5: Individual Instruction, Family Golf Tournament

Age 6: Individual Instruction, Family Golf Tournament, Spring/ Summer/Fall Golf Class

Orange Level (7-8 years old) Distance: 25 yards Scoring: Score 36 or better for 9 holes

Driving: Drive 3 of 5 attempts 70 yards or more Rules: Pass Orange Level rules and etiquette exam Putting: Finish 9-Hole Putting Course in 27 putts or less

Age 7: Individual Instruction, Family Golf Tournament, Spring/ Summer/Fall Golf Class, Buddy Clinics, Play with the Pro, Junior Club Championship Ages 8-9: Individual Instruction, PGA Junior League Golf, Family Golf Tournament, Spring/Summer/Fall Golf Class, Buddy Clinics, Play with the Pro, Junior Club Championship Age 10: Individual Instruction, PGA Junior League Golf, Family Golf Tournament, Spring/Summer/Fall Golf Class, Buddy Clinics, Play with the Pro, Junior Club Championship, Jr. Pro Tour, Elite Jr. Golf Ages 11-13: Individual Instruction, PGA Junior League Golf, Family Golf Tournament, Spring/Summer/Fall Golf Class, Buddy Clinics, Play with the Pro, Junior Club Championship, Junior Pro Tour, Elite Junior Golf Age 14: Individual Instruction, Family Golf Tournament, Spring/ Summer/Fall Golf Class, Buddy Clinics, Play with the Pro, Junior Club Championship, Junior Pro Tour, Elite Junior Golf Ages 15-17: Individual Instruction, Family Golf Tournament, Buddy Clinics, Play with the Pro, Junior Club Championship, Junior Pro Tour, Elite Junior Golf MERIT TAGS Merit Tags are awarded to juniors who have demonstrated proficiency through a series of skill tests covering rules, putting, driving, and scoring. These skill tests are administered by the Golf Professional Staff and provide objective levels of proficiency that a junior golfer must meet in order to play on the course without a parent.

Yellow Level (8-9 years old) Distance: 50 yards Scoring: Score 36 or better for 9 holes

Driving: Drive 3 of 5 attempts 90 yards or more Rules: Pass Yellow Level rules and etiquette exam Putting: Finish 9-Hole Putting Course in 24 putts or less

Green Level Merit Tag (9-10 years old) Distance: 75 yards Scoring: Score 36 or better for 9 holes

Driving: Drive 6 of 10 attempts 110 yards or more Rules: Pass Green Level rules and etiquette exam Putting: Finish 9-Hole Putting Course in 22 putts or less Blue Level (10+ years old) Distance: 150 yards Scoring: Score 36 or better from Family Tee 1 for 9 holes

Driving: Hit 5 or more fairways in 9 holes Approach: Hit 6 or more greens for 9 holes Rules: Pass Blue Level rules and etiquette exam Putting: Have 15 or less putts in 9 holes

Purple Level (10+ years old) Distance: 175 yards Scoring: Score 36 or better from Family Tee 2 for 9 holes Driving: Hit 6 or more fairways in 9 holes Approach: Hit 6 or more greens for 9 holes Rules: Pass Purple Level rules and etiquette exam Putting: have 15 or less putts in 9 holes Black Level (10+ years old) Distance: 200 yards Scoring: Score 36 or better from Family Tee 3 for 9 holes Driving: Hit 7 fairways in 9 holes Approach: Hit 6 or more greens for 9 holes Rules: Pass Black Level rules and etiquette exam Putting: Have 15 or less putts in 9 holes

PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE

We are excited to begin another season of PGA Junior League Golf, with registration opening Friday, March 18th. This developmental program is a terrific way to get junior golfers of all abilities, from ages 8-13, involved in the game. PGA Junior League Golf is a team effort, includes numbered jerseys, practices and matches and also has an “All-Star” post-season team! As in years past, we anticipate having two teams represent Wilmington Country Club in 2022, with a limit of 16 players per team. While formatted as a competition, the main goal of the program is to develop golf skills while promoting a casual, team environment with an emphasis on FUN! Matches are played with twelve players, and we will add four additional players per team expecting that some juniors will not be able to attend all matches. We cannot guarantee each junior will play every match. Please note, parent participation is required and vital to the success of the Junior League. Please plan to drive players to away matches and stay at matches for the duration to support & chaperone our team.

JUNIOR LEAGUE GOLF INFORMATION

Who : Junior golfers ages 8-13 of all abilities (and supportive parents!). All juniors are welcome regardless of experience.

What : Approximately six 9-hole matches with groups playing a two-person scramble, match-play format. Also included are six to ten practices and self-scrimmages. Practices will be supervised, include structured activities and professional instruction, working on all aspects of the game. When : April through July. Practices begin in April and matches are May- July. The exact dates of the match and practice schedule will be available soon. Where : The matches will be played at different area courses such as Fieldstone, Bidermann, Hartefeld National, Concord CC, DuPont CC, Newark CC, Rock Manor, and Kennett Square CC. How : Our team is an invite-only league. Only Wilmington Country Club members will be allowed to sign up for our team. We will give further instructions for registration once you have called in and provided intent to participate.

Cost : $375/Junior - This includes all matches played, practices, home & away team jerseys, hat, t-shirt, bag tag, and drawstring bag.

Registration : Sign-ups open Friday, March 18th at 9:00 a.m. Register online on the Club website, using the Foretees app, or by calling the Golf Shop at (302) 655-6022.

CLASSES & LESSONS

SPRING GOLF CLASS Tuesday – Thursday April 12 – June 2 4:00 – 5:30pm Ages 6 – 14 years

INDIVIDUAL COACHING By Appointment – 45 Minute Appointments

For juniors, absolute beginners, elite players, and all players looking to elevate their game. Individual instruction is the best tool for personalized learning. Club fittings and use of launch monitors is available upon request.

Spring golf class will introduce our New Junior Golf Curriculum for 2022. This curriculum provides juniors a pathway to playing better golf. By developing an understanding of solid and repeatable foundations of the golf swing, and how to execute them, juniors will see improvement in their game.

PGA Director of Golf Michael Shank, $120 PGA Director of Instruction Bob Lennon, $110 PGA Assistant Professionals, $90

BUDDY CLINICS By Appointment – 1 Hour Appointments

$120 per week or $45 per class

SUMMER GOLF CLASSES Daily, Monday to Friday June 13 – August 5 (8 weeks) Week of August 8-12 is tentative Ages 6 – 14 years

14 years & under Maximum 4:1 student to coach ratio

Two or more juniors may set up a date and time with one of our Professional Staff. Based upon staff and facility availability.

$30 each for four juniors $40 each for three juniors $50 each for two juniors ELITE JUNIOR GOLF Call to arrange date and time.

As we transition from spring into Summer Golf Class, juniors have an opportunity to build upon the skills and knowledge learned from Spring Classes. Summer golf classes will continue to go through the Junior Golf Curriculum while also utilizing the Operation-36 pin testing to track progress and keep Juniors moving toward earning their merit tag. During week one of Summer Class, our Professional Staff members will make evaluations and use current pin status information to determine what class is best for each individual junior. Green+ Class: 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. (Juniors with all Red and Yellow Pins) Red & Yellow Class 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (Juniors working toward completion of Red and Yellow Pins)

Ages 10+ with Merit Tags

Led by Bob Lennon and the entire Professional Staff, this clinic is designed for juniors looking to get to the next level.

Design your own elite coaching class with up to five juniors per class. Classes include 30 minutes of supervised practice and two hours of on- course coaching for a total of 2 ½ hours.

Call the Golf Shop, 302-655-6022 to sign-up, or for more information.

$100 per junior, minimum of three students. Two students for $150 each.

$200 per week or $50 per day All summer package (8 weeks) $1200

PLAY WITH THE PROS By Appointment North Course

FALL GOLF CLASS Tuesday – Thursday September 6 – October 13 4:00 – 5:30 p.m.

Ages 6-17

Play with the Pros is an initiative to give juniors more on-course experience combined with a 9-hole playing evaluation. The Professional Staff will help guide juniors around the course playing as a team while developing junior’s skills and etiquette.

Ages 6 – 14 years

$120 per week or $45 per class

$40 per junior, minimum of three students. Two students for $60 each.

EVENTS

FAMILY GOLF TOURNAMENT Saturday, June 4 3:00 p.m. North Course Ages 4-17

This fun and casual tournament is a great way to bring the whole family out to play nine holes as a team! Each player will compete in various skill events while on-course for prizes. Players play from a tee that is best for them. Awards given in Café 1901 following play.

$20 per player

JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Saturday, July 9 (all divisions) and Sunday, July 10 (18-hole division) 12:00 – 2:30 p.m. starting times by age Ages 7-17

This tournament crowns our Junior Club Champions in the following brackets:

• Juniors ages 7-10 will play in the 5-Hole Championship • Juniors ages 13 & under, or juniors who have their Yellow Progress Pins will play in the 9-Hole Championship • Juniors 17 and under, or juniors who have their Merit Tag will be in the 18-Hole Championship

$25 per junior

JUNIOR PRO TOUR Each Friday, June 24 to August 5 9:00 a.m. North Course Ages 10+ with Merit Tags

All golfers know that transitioning skills from the practice tee to the golf course is not always a seamless process. The Junior Pro Tour offers an opportunity for juniors who have their Merit Tag to get on the course and test their skills. A Professional Staff member will help juniors lower their scores by offering course and game management advice to help each junior score their best.