Golf organizations in Maine and across the country are trying to get more young people involved.

With that in mind, the First Tee of Maine, Southern Maine Women’s Golf Association and Women’s Maine State Golf Association will hold a second annual Golf Fair for Girls on June 28 at the Riverside South short-game course in Portland.

The Golf Fair for Girls is free.

The Golf Fair will provide instruction by local pros, current college players and seasoned golfers. Girls of all ages and abilities are encouraged to attend.

The Golf Fair is designed to introduce girls to golf in a low-key, fun environment. Participants will move from station to station, receiving instruction on putting, chipping and driving. They also will have a chance to play a complete hole.

Girls who are already golfers will receive instruction in all areas of the sport that will help take their game up a notch.

SNAG (Starting New At Golf) Golf is an instruction system that uses oversized equipment and Velcro balls that stick to targets. It will be available for first-time golfers along with a miniature course that will challenge all levels.

In addition to golf activities, there will be giveaways, crafts, music, prizes, snacks, contests and information on local junior programs for girls, the state women’s golf associations and a listing of college golf scholarships for young women.

“I started playing when I was 6 years old,” said Laurie Hyndman, a six-time Southern Maine Women’s Golf Association champion. “I’m a huge proponent for girls starting golf at a young age.”

Hyndman is a volunteer for the Golf Fair. Golf pros Abby Spector of Dunegrass, Anne McClure and Alex Daggett of The Woodlands, and Ron Bibeau, the executive director of The First Tee and former head pro at Riverside, will provide instruction.

Daggett is preparing a teaching guide for volunteers. There will be 22 women golfers helping, including Cindy Choate, like Hyndman, a multiple SMWGA champion; Terri Messer, chairman of the Golf Fair for Girls and a First Tee board member; Kathi O’Grady; Kathy Crawford; Lorraine Hamel; Joy Eon; former Yarmouth High golfer Monica Austin; and Bailey Plourde, a Lincoln Academy golfer. Other instructors could be added as the event approaches.

“We had about 65 girls, ranging in age from 5 years old to 17, last year,” said Hyndman.

“We hope to have 100 girls this year. We’re doing everything we can to get the word out. We’re going to raffle off some equipment and there will be material with rules and other golf-related information. We’ve been getting a lot of nice support from golf pros and the golf associations.”

Hyndman said other goals are to give junior girls more access to instruction and playing opportunities.

“Some golf courses in the area have excellent junior programs. We just need more of them,” she said.

TEE TO GREEN: Shawn Warren, an assistant pro at Falmouth, captured the Maine chapter New England PGA Championship last week at Dunegrass in Old Orchard Beach. Warren had rounds of 71 and 73 for a 144 total. Sean Barrett, the head pro at Falmouth, placed second with rounds of 71-74-145.

They were followed by John Hickson of Sebasco Harbor (70-76-146), Bob Darling Jr. of Fox Ridge (79-74-153), Brett Smestad of The Ledges (74-79-153) and Leon Oliver of Bath (76-78-154).

Hickson won the Maine chapter NEPGA senior championship, held in conjunction with the overall championship, with a 70. David Grygiel of Tee N Tee was second with a 74, followed by Jack Kelly of Tee N Tee and Allan Menne of Poland Spring with 75s, and Oliver with a 76.

The second annual Maine State Golf Association Senior Team Championship at Belgrade Lakes was postponed last Monday because of rain. It was rescheduled for July 23, also at Belgrade Lakes. Because the event didn’t fill up the first time, the entry deadline is now July 16.

Teams braved wind and heavy rain a week ago in the Club Team Championship at Belgrade Lakes. The Sable Oaks team of Jeff Cole, Mike Doran, Ashley Fifield and Matt Greenleaf won the tournament with a 2-under 140 in the two-best-balls-of-four format. They managed four birdies and only dropped two shots, both on the same hole.

The Howard Vandersea Maine chapter of the National Football Foundation will hold its 16th annual golf tournament July 6 at Belgrade Lakes. The cost is $120 per golfer, which includes along with the golf, cart, gifts, prizes, a post-round barbecue and a National Football Foundation membership. It’s an 11 a.m. registration with a noon shootgun start. For more information, contact Marty Ryan at 646-7352 or mryan8@maine.rr.com.

The regional qualifier for the national Drive, Chip and Putt Contest has been rescheduled for June 21 at Val Halla in Cumberland. It was rained out May 31.

 

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