Golf clinic offers chance to learn from pros

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The PXG Women’s Match Play Championship has continually stated that it hopes to grow the game of women’s golf, and it will look to do that when it hosts a free junior clinic Oct. 31.

The clinic will be open for girls and boys from 7 to 17 years old and will take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Slammer and Squire Driving Range at World Golf Village in St. Augustine.

Those in the clinic will be taught by the professional women’s players that will also be competing in the championship event.

“I think in any sport or activity it’s important to have role models, to see people who look like you doing things you like to do or want to do,” said Mark Berman, managing partner with MediaShare Consulting Group. “In this case, it’s important for young girls to see the ‘big girl’ having fun and being really good at golf.”

As part of getting advice and golfing tips from some of the best up-and-coming pro golfers, participants will have the opportunity to take pictures, get autographs and be part of a question-and-answer panel.

Berman has seen firsthand the value of events like this, that intertwine junior golfers with pro golfers, having watched his daughter Hannah idolize and look up to pro golfers when she was younger.

“They may not learn or retain a single pointer or lesson about swing mechanics, but they’re going to remember having a conversation with a professional female athlete,” Berman said. “They’re going to hang on to that autograph, they’re going to follow that player on social media and that is going to have an impact on how she perceives golf, herself and her future in the game.”

He mentioned how University of North Florida assistant golf coach Courtney Cobb; Emily Tillo, community outreach manager with THE PLAYERS Championship; and Kaitlyn Price, now working for PXG, as some that took the time to provide guidance and help his daughter over the years.

“They paved the way just like an even smaller number of amazing women did for them and so on all the way back to the original 18 players who started the LPGA,” Berman said. “Now there are thousands of young women playing the game at a really high level.”

Each junior golfer will also receive complimentary Mizuno golf balls to take home as a memento to remember the day.

Even though it is a free event, registration is still required and can be completed by going to pxgwmpc.com.

Participants can bring their own clubs to use, or they can use courtesy clubs provided on site by the First Tee of North Florida.