AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- It’s the start of Augusta’s busiest two weeks of the year with the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and the 90th edition of the Masters Tournament.
But for the third year running, kids from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta got to learn about golf from some of the game’s best.
The goal is to inspire young people from BGCGA to not only learn the game of golf, but important life skills and lessons throughout the afternoon.
It’s all thanks to a partnership between Bank of America, Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and BGCGA.
Marissa Smith serves as Marketing Executive for Bank of America Augusta.
“We’re hoping this event today will really give kids a chance to be inspired to get some hands-on action with golf, so that as the tournament kicks off, they’ll have some real life knowledge of what golf is, and hopefully be inspired by the women here today and see themselves in the players as well,” said Smith.
World Golf Hall of Famer and Legendary Professional Golfer Annika Sorenstam returned to Augusta for her second Play it Forward Clinic, and says it’s good to be back.
“We had a wonderful time last year,” said Sorenstam. “I thought we had some great participation, lots of juniors coming to learn a little bit of golf, but also building some friendships too.”
Sorenstam stepped away from professional golf in 2008, but prior to that she won a staggering 90 international tournaments as a professional–the most wins to a female golfer’s name.
She says it’s her passion for the game and loving others that makes her time at the clinic so special.
“I’ve been living this dream since I picked up a club, and I want to share that with others–especially young kids, the next generation,” said Sorenstam. “It really is a sport for life, and it teaches you so many things.”
The clinic also brought out the most golfers participating in this year’s Women’s Amateur.
Megha Ganne, Kiara Romero, Latanna Stone, Megan Schofill, Rachel Kuehn, and Amari Avery were all in attendance–and say it’s a privilege to share their love for the game with the youth.
“I’m really lucky that I found the game of golf. It’s something that I love to push myself in, and something that I really enjoy doing at the same time. It’s been able to show me the world and taught me about myself more importantly than anything else,” said Ganne.
“Golf has been a huge part of my life for the last 10 years now, and it’s definitely shaped me into the person I am today. Without it I really don’t know what I’d be doing, and I obviously wouldn’t be doing such a great thing today,” said Schofill.
“Golf is something that I never thought I would pursue when I was younger, so when I was focusing on playing in college I came to really enjoy it. I’ve made so many incredible friendships, and I’ve been so fortunate that golf has taken me to so many amazing places. So, to be able to play this week is just amazing,” Kuehn said.
“To be able to travel around the country and play these golf tournaments, and play against some of the best amateurs in the world–I think that’s the best part about playing at this level,” said Romero.
Along with their love for the game, the players say it’s also a wonderful opportunity to be role models for the next generation.
A few of them shared lessons they hope to teach the boys and girls.
“Whether it’s golf these kids take away from today, or it’s something else that they want to pursue, I hope they don’t lose the joy and tenacity that they have for it,” said Ganne.
“As much as you want to perform well, I think it’s also important to know that golf is just a game, and you need to remember to enjoy it, embrace the challenges, and know that it’s going to teach a lot of valuable lessons in life,” said Schofill.
Suzy Whaley is the former president of the PGA of America.
“To have people you can look up to, to have people you can see yourself becoming one day, is something that inspires greatness in so many. So for us to be able to provide that here thanks to Bank of America and the First Tee of Augusta is really special,” said Whaley.
The 2024 Play it Forward Golf Clinic saw close to 30 kids from the Boys and Girls Club of Augusta attend.
Source: wjbf.com
