Lessons from their elders

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Published on Friday, 22 June 2012 11:57

ECHS golfers impart knowledge at junior golf clinic

Tyler Palmateer
Daily Elk Citian 

Young Elk City area golfers had a chance to learn from some of the best players in the area this week at the Elk City Golf and Country Club’s Junior Golf Clinic, which wrapped up Thursday. 

Aside from the teaching of Alex Alvarez, head pro at ECGCC, attendees were dealt golf lessons from Big Elk golfers Carter Muncrief, Joby Gray, and Logan Gore. Gray and Gore were at Lake Hefner North Golf Course in Oklahoma City to help lead the Elks to a runner-up finish at the 4A state tournament. “I learned a lot from Joby, Logan, Alex and Carter,” 8-year-old Hannah Hudgens said. “I learned that I need to work on my driver and grip it lower, and tee the ball up a little higher. I feel like I improved and worked to my goal.” 

Hannah’s brother, 10-year-old Mitchell Hudgens, said he too benefited from the elder golfer’s knowledge, which spread lessons on grip, stance and alignment, as well as how to keep score. 

“Joby and Logan really helped me work on progressing my swing and helped me figure out where to make contact with the ball. They really helped me fundamentally.” 

The overwhelming response from the junior golfers Thursday was that the chance to actually play a few holes was the most enjoyable part of the clinic. But they were clearly impacted by the opportunity to learn from Gray, Gore, and Muncrief, who they recognized as high school golfers. 

“I’ve seen a few that really want to play this game,” Gore, a sophomore, said. “I think its important because we know how to play the game, and for them to come out and get coordinated and play and have fun is great. It’s a lot of fun to watch them learn the game.” 

Gray, who will be a senior this year, echoed that statement, noting there were some good golfers among the group. 

“Mitchell [Hudgens] is pretty good. There are some good players out here. They are better than I was at that age. It’s important because you want to start at golf as quick as you can because it takes a lot of practice to get good.”

Muncrief, a sophomore, said he never had something like the clinic to attend as a kid, and saw it as a beneficial thing. 

“It’s helpful for the kids, I know. I just keep telling them to practice and keep at it. You can’t practice enough at this sport. Our golf program has been good the past few years and we need kids to come in and fill the gap.” 

As Muncrief enters his sophomore campaign on the golf team, he said he hopes to keep challenging himself to learn more about the game. He will play in a junior golf tournament this weekend to keep the rust off, and noted the clinic helped ready him for that. 

“I even learned some things this week. I know the kids had a lot of fun. I just want to help them out as much as I can.”