If someone from Barrhead ends up on any of the professional golf circuits, they could have the Barrhead Elks to thank.
About three weeks ago, the service club donated $5,000 to the Paddle River Golf Course’s junior golf program.
The program encourages youth to take up the game by giving them reduced rates and helps them learn the fundamentals through a mentor.
“Once a week, we shut down the golf course for an hour or two so our juniors can get together with a mentor. They learn etiquette, how to make different types of golf shots, and just different things about the game,” said Paddle River Golf president Brett Schultz.
The donation will be used for equipment, most notably more golf clubs suitable for young golfers, as well as to help subsidize youth who cannot afford to enroll in the program — last year more than 20 kids participated.
He noted that in addition to the junior program the also reduced youth membership that is also good for the Barrhead Golf Course.
Schultz said many younger golfers who live in town get started at Paddle River Golf Course because its in town.
“It’s easy to get to, and after school, they can just walk here. And when they get older and are ready to play on a full course they can go to the larger out of town course.
Most importantly it gives kids another thing to do that is productive instad of just hanging out or getting into trouble,” he said.
Barrhead Elks president Bruce McLean agreed, saying that is why the service club regularly gives to organizations that focus on youth.
“It’s all about the kids. They are our future so when we got a letter from them [Paddle River Golf course] asking for us to consider donating to their junior golf program we gave it serious consideration,” he said.
McLean added that he also has a soft spot for the Paddle River Golf Course and its junior golfer program as his children learned to golf there.
