“Birdieball Green Dot.”
Such a catchy phrase that has so much to offer the students. And North Cumberland Elementary School students found out about it recently when Coach Rick Timm was visiting.
Timm, a lifelong member of the PGA, has taught junior golf to thousands of students for more than 35 years.
With multiple Junior Golf Development Promoter awards, Cumberland County is very fortunate to have him in the community. He currently directs the US Kids Nashville / Knoxville / Chattanooga junior golf tours for children ages 5-18.
He is also the PGA teaching professional on the Bear Trace Golf Course as well as the assistant coach on the SMHS golf team.
Says Timm, “I started a new LPGA sponsored program called Girls Golf of Crossville, and ran courses on Saturdays from May to October.”
Cumberland County currently has one middle school golf team, but Timm has a vision to start a second. Coach Timm has already started his Golf-in-Schools program by teaching golf to grade 3 through 8 students at North Cumberland Elementary School. He plans to expand to other schools as well.
This program is unique in that it does not use traditional golf balls. He uses a “birdie ball” which is safe to use in gyms and which gives the student the feeling of hitting a real golf ball. Timm does his friend John Breaker the honor of inventing such a tool.
Where does the saying “Birdie Ball Green Dot” come from? Along with the birdie ball there is a mat that is safe for gyms and has a green dot on which the birdie ball can be placed for teeing off.
Timm says of his success: “The perfect program that I want to develop here in Crossville is called the PGA Junior League. I led this super exciting and successful program in Colorado for over six years and it has been named the fastest growing junior golf program in the country! ”
North Cumberland Elementary thanks Coach Timm for taking the time to teach students about golf and give back to the community. The students are very grateful.