There are many opportunities for children to learn golf for life in Volusia County.
And at prices that families can afford.
For example, the Daytona Beach Junior Golf Association is a nonprofit that focuses on bringing golf to as many children as possible.
John Cameron is the Daytona Beach City Cultural Services Coordinator and the Club’s executive director and secretary.
“There are more children than ever playing golf and learning to play golf, and more parents are looking for golf programs,” said Cameron. “I raise money through the (Jane Cerrone Memorial Tournament) and provide equipment to local high school golf teams. I coordinate many activities and raise awareness of the need to support high school golf.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved with the PGA Junior League,” he said. “This is the thing I’ll be doing for a long, long time. I somehow found my niche and how I can help people. “
The association helps families.
“They come to me and don’t have a lot of money, but their sons or daughters are passionate about playing and need new equipment, so we’ll help them with that,” said Cameron.
He compared the local PGA Junior League to the Little League baseball. Children play as a team against other golf course teams. Plus, given the Covid-19 pandemic, golf is the perfect year-round outdoor activity.
“Quality time away from the computer screens, the phones and all the other noises we are bombarded with every day. They go outside and are together and just having fun, ”said Mr. Cameron.
For more information about the association, call (386) 679-9372.
Junior golf plays a huge role at Crane Lakes Golf Club, despite being affiliated with a Port Orange community of 55 and over.
“It all started with us offering simple weekly courses,” said Rod Perry, Head Golf Pro, Cranes Lakes.
The clinics are open Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. and cost $ 10, Mr. Perry said. “No RSVP required. No golf clubs required. No experience required. It is open to every child with an interest in golf. “
Crane Lakes also has two competitive PGA junior league teams.
“We’re trying to do everything we can to make golf accessible to children,” said Perry. “In addition to our activities in Crane Lakes, we offer three summer camps. I want to take out of the equation all of the traditional obstacles for kids playing golf. We don’t want golf to be just an elitist sport. We want golf to be accessible. “
Local PGA pros have led the PGA Junior Golf League to Riviera Country Club, Daytona Beach Golf Club, Crane Lakes Golf Club, Hidden Lakes Golf Club, and Oceanside Golf Club.
For more information, call Mr. Perry at (386) 767-4653.
There is a unique program for girls in Volusia County.
Teresa Zamboni is co-owner of Nancy Lopez Golf Adventures and also serves as the director of LPGA USGA Girls Golf, which provides a girl-friendly environment for juniors ages 6-17 to study and play.
Ms. Zamboni, who has been an LPGA professional for 26 years, said there are some youth golfing opportunities in Volusia County. In their girls’ program that meets at Crane Lakes Golf Club, “We teach them life skills; We teach them golf skills. It’s all inclusive in trying to make them not only good golfers but good people as well. I have a lot of volunteer students and it’s a great program. “
The girls learn all about golf, she said. “Even if you don’t play competitively, you will have the skills to play leisure your entire life.”
The cost is $ 10 per child per month. They are given an assignment, a goal to try to achieve before they return in the next month. The program is year round and you don’t have to be a Volusia County resident.
For more information, email [email protected] or call (386) 451-4808.
The First Tee of North Florida also offers weekly classes at LPGA International in Daytona Beach. There is also a Volusia-Flagler Junior Golf Association.
Due to a scheduling issue, the Jane Cerrone Memorial Golf Tournament was canceled this year, but it will be held at Crane Lakes Golf Club on November 12, 2022.