Page 160 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2020

SPORTS & OUTDOORS
160 | August 2020
Junior League golfers learn course etiquette while developing a love of the game.
JUNIOR GOLFERS
in a League of Their Own
story by Tommy Snell
photos courtesy of Rory Nelson
The PGA Junior League is calling golfers ages 7-13 who want to play better golf, exercise safety on the golf course, understand course etiquette and respect for fellow competitors, and adhere to pace-of-play guidelines set forth by the new rules of golf. That’s a fancy way of saying, “Let’s have fun and play golf.”
Rory Nelson understands the importance of teaching young kids the game of golf and everything the sport implies. “We always make sure our players remove their caps and introduce themselves to their playing partners,” said the Windance golf professional. Nelson played high school golf at George County and collegiate golf at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and William Carey University, and he knows the importance of teaching kids to play fast and play fair.
The Windance PGA Junior League Team competes against The Oaks Team on Thursdays with practice on Tuesdays. Parents can nd a league near home at www.pgajrleague.
com. Leagues begin in summer, spring and fall. A quick search on the website shows Windance,
The Oaks and Shell Landing hosting leagues on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, but the Professional Golfers’
Association of America is working to expand and grow the initiative. “Safety, Care, and Organization guide the PGA Jr. League experience, and they’re what we call ‘The Three Flags.’”
After a COVID-19-induced pause, PGA and LPGA Professionals are bringing PGA Jr. League back to communities in a healthy, fun and responsible way. Aligned with CDC guidelines, Nelson and others want to teach them a game that these kids “can play for the rest of their lives.”
Find a league of your own near you today!
www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
“Let’s have fun & play golf.”