Hole in one

A record 65 kids signed up to learn a little about golf at the Gateway Junior Golf Clinic in Monroe. With two days of lessons followed by the clinic tournament, the kids had a chance to practice driving, chipping and putting all while having a lot of fun.

“It was awesome, it was our biggest year yet,” organizer and coach Tony Ford said. “We had so many kids this year we had to do two different sessions and I think everybody was excited about that. It was right after school so they were ready to get out and do something.”

The two sessions, which took place June 7 and 9, had the younger kids first for two hours with the older golfers coming in next for a couple hour session. Led by John Shawver, a PGA Pro, along with the high school golf coaches, former coach Val Edwards and many other volunteers, the kids had a great time learning how to swing the clubs.

“We also had Matt Jennings join us this year, another pro in the area,” Ford said. “We tried to do the long drive and chipping and putting games. Jim Tangeman was over there and he volunteered a lot of golf clubs so kids could try golf and he also donated a lot of golf balls that we were able to give out. Jersey Freeze gave a bunch of ice cream bucks that we gave out for prizes. And everybody likes Jersey Freeze.”

At the tournament June 14, the kids were split up by age into small groups to play three or four holes at a modified distance. Awards were then presented with trophies for the top three finishers and medals for all those participating.

“It was the most smooth tournament we have ever had,” Ford said. “I think it helped that we had so many kids that we could make two sessions. Also, the amount of volunteers, it helped make every go so smooth.”

Tournament results:

Girls 7-9: First Place Grace Williams, Second Place Kinzie Tangeman, Third Place Lauren Hicks, Vera Pierson, Blakely Van Ryswyk, Bradyn Cartwright, Sevan McDowell, Ada Secory, Addie Carlson

Boys 7: First Place Josiah Bonnett, Second Place Wilson Steenhoek, Third Place Beckham Van Ryswyk, Fin Vannoy, Grant Williams, Harrison LeGrand, Kroy Ruepke, Bryson Fridley, Aiden Muck

Boys 8: First Place Max Van Wyngarden, Second Place Jace Morris, Third Place Rudy Roberts, Jace Siebrect

Boys 9: First Place Lincoln Hilsabeck, Second Place Braylen Current, Third Place Austin Vander Linden, Barrett Wisson, Lachlin Clarke, Devin Hopkins

Girls 10-12: First Place Ali Hilsabeck, Second Place Annie Ford, Third Place Hayden Pierson, Kynlee Vander Hart, Zoe Hougham

Boys 10: First Place Brayden Lease, Second Place Brayden Kisling, Third Place Briggs Hiriyama, Rylan Fridley, Jack Gilbert, Jaxon Diekema, Isaac Schubert, William Striegel

Boys 11-12: First Place Wyatt Schubert, Second Place Austin Burns, Third Place Parker DeHaai, Hayden Shannon, Brody Briles, Easton Morris, Ivan Shannon, Luke Ferneding

Boys 13: First Place Gavin Steenhoek, Second Place Alex Wendt, Third Place Kevin Thomas, Trent Nicholson

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com