Club WAYGA

With summer sessions just a few weeks away, the Woodburn Area Youth Golf Association (WAYGA) is gearing up for what promises to be an exciting full summer of golf. Partnering with The Children’s Course in Gladstone as well as Senior Estates Golf and Country Club, the 2009 program will be providing WAYGA members several aspects of the game of golf on and off the course.

"Last year the OGA Golf Course and WAYGA made great strides in bringing The First Tee program to over 100 area youth,” said WAYGA President Don Judson. “This year under the leadership of Program Director, Julie Wells we look forward to teaching even more youth the nine core values that will serve them well the rest of their life."

The First Tee Life Skills Experience is one of the unique features that differentiate The First Tee from other successful junior golf programs.  Through the Life Skills Experience, participants learn valuable lessons about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude; how to make decisions by thinking about possible consequences and how to define and set goals from the golf course to everyday life.  

This year, with our local Woodburn Walmart’s support, children will have the opportunity to participate in over 48 clinics as well as a celebratory season ending skills challenge. Members are also eligible for new programs including free fitted golf clubs and a member card allowing for free access to the OGA driving range as well as discounts at local area businesses. Children also have the opportunity to enter our Mentor program, designed to give children the chance to learn valuable lessons, both on and off the golf course.

In the program, children progress through different levels called Par, Advanced Par, Birdie, Eagle and Ace. At the end of a 6-week session, The First Tee Coach evaluates the progress of each participant to determine if they have demonstrated a thorough understanding of the golf and life skills lessons prior to advancing to the next level.  Each class focuses on a different lesson with skills testing for the participant to achieve the Par Level status.

All participants ages 7-17 start at this level in our First Tee Junior Golf Program.  As part of The First Tee program, along with golf skill lessons, youth learn many important life skill lessons. 

To date, ten students have ‘graduated’ into the “Par Advanced” class and improvements among the entire group of students are remarkable. Children are getting more and more comfortable with the idea of meeting new friends as well as helping their peers through constructive criticism.

“We are so proud to be able to offer a program of this caliber to our local youth. The improvements that we have made to the program this year will provide a well-rounded approach to the life skills our children will learn through the game of golf,” commented Program Director and Teaching Professional, Julie Wells. “When you make learning fun, the possibilities become endless.”

Currently, the first two Par level sessions are full, but wait lists are available. Two additional Par sessions beginning July 28^th  are available as well as three Advanced Par sessions and one Birdie session. The number of children that continue to join the program is enssuring that the future of the First Tee Program at the OGA Golf Course will continue to develop and prosper over the next several months.

To participate in The First Tee programs, junior golfers must first join WAYGA.  Cost for membership is $40.00 annually plus an additional $10 per session attended. Registration must be completed in advance for each six week session.  If needed, scholarships are available upon request.

Adults interested in supporting WAYGA may also become an adult member of the group.  An additional benefit is membership in the Oregon Golf Association and discounted greens fees at the OGA Golf Course. 

For more information or to register to be a member of WAYGA, visit www.woodburnjrgolf.org or contact the OGA Golf Course Pro Shop in person at 2850 Hazelnut Drive, Woodburn or call (503) 981-4653 ext. 231.