The Fairways Junior Golf Camp is in its fourth year running, and for local player and former Rochelle Township High School standout Thomas Brennan, developing the next generation of successful golfers is an integral part of promoting golf in Rochelle and getting younger kids excited about the game.
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ROCHELLE — The Fairways Junior Golf Camp is in its fourth year running, and for local player and former Rochelle Township High School standout Thomas Brennan, developing the next generation of successful golfers is an integral part of promoting golf in Rochelle and getting younger kids excited about the game.
“My favorite part of the camp is seeing the kids have excitement for the game and watching them improve year after year,” Brennan said. “I look forward to getting them on the course and playing holes, and they’re really excited to hit balls at the driving range. They’re always asking when we get to play at the course.”
The annual junior camp teed off at the Skare Park Driving Range on Tuesday, with campers ranging from 8 to 13 years old working on basic golf skills including driving, iron shots and more. Players used the driving range on Tuesday and Wednesday before transitioning to Fairways Golf Course on Thursday and Friday.
Camp sessions run from 9:30 to 12 p.m. each day. For the younger campers with little or no experience, Brennan, his father Marty and camp volunteer Tim Duncan work to help players with the fundamentals such as proper stance and grip on the club.
“We try to help them make decent contact with the ball because it doesn’t really matter where the ball is going when they’re little,” Brennan said. “Seeing the ball move gives them enjoyment and we hate to see the kids missing or topping the ball because that isn’t fun for them. We give them the basic fundamentals to help them improve as they grow bigger.”
When working with the older and more experienced players, Brennan and his camp leaders emphasize more advanced golfing techniques including body positioning, hand placement and hip movement when turning on the ball. Regardless of age or experience level, Brennan said the ultimate goals of the junior camp are to help younger players gain an interest in golf and motivate them to pursue golf in the future.
“We want them to keep improving no matter how much experience they have,” Brennan said. “I hope the kids learn that golf is fun and that it’s a real sport. It’s a game they can legitimately play in high school… We’re just trying to grow the game and increase numbers in Rochelle.”
