“I would give the camp a ten out of ten,” rookie player Eliot Minarchek rated his time on the links. Following four days of lessons on the driving range, chipping range and putting green, the students were taken out to “play golf” on a few holes of the course. For all but three students this was a completely new experience.

Ten students, ages nine to 13, joined five adult golf instructors for four days of free golf lessons, golf history and etiquette, wrote Starla Audette for The Leader.  The lessons were provided by the Player’s Club of Port Townsend Golf Course and supported by Manager Gabe Tonan who supplied clubs and balls.  

The lessons began July 17 and included instruction on the grip, posture, stance and swing. Instructors Bruce Bode, George Bush, Jane Peoples and Wanda Synnestvedt shared their knowledge and experience with the student group. 

Audette shared the history of golf from its beginnings in ancient Egypt to its modern form which orginated in Scotland in the 1600s. 

The second and third days included lessons with the irons, the driver, pitching and putting. The final day provided an opportunity for review and real time experience on the course. Each day included additional history and facts about golf. Students were challenged to solve golf trivia questions with a bit of home research. 

After the final day the students gathered to share their experience and eat ice cream bars donated by Jane Peoples. 

“I came last year and I still learned some. I plan to continue to play and I want to join the golf team when I get into high school,” returning golfer Martin Cervenka said.

He said he thought the camp was really fun and he wanted to keep golfing.