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Reminder Assistant Editor WEST SPRINGFIELD The game of golf has a direct correlation to daily life, Susan Teitel, site director and founder of the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf of the Pioneer Valley, said. This sport goes far beyond the realm of whacking a tiny white ball off a wooden peg with long piece of metal, she explained. The game of golf has the ability to teach young people, especially young girls about important life lessons. "Golf is different everyday," Teitel said. "Life is not the same [either], you have bumps in the road." In 1997, Teitel began teaching a group of young girls golf and the life lessons contained within the sport when she established the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf of the Pioneer Valley. Since then, over 2,000 girls have become members and learned to play the game in a "non-threatening environment" while also learning a life-long sport, Teitel noted. The mission of the LPGA-USGA Girls Golf is to "provide an opportunity for girls, ages seven to 17, to learn to play golf, build lasting friendships and experience competition in a fun, supportive environment, preparing them for a lifetime of enjoyment with the game." Teitel explained that the purpose of her non-profit is to provide an avenue for young girls to excel at a sport without facing possible ridicule from boys, while also reinforcing life-lessons being taught at home such as etiquette, physical fitness and the realization that dreams can come true. She noted that many members are unaware of the numerous college scholarships available to young women who want to play Division I or Division II golf. Lisa Kallaugher, parent advisor for Pioneer Valley Girls Golf, said she was one of the first mothers to bring her then seven-year-old daughter to play golf with the organization. "She showed up with one sawed off five iron," Kallaugher recalled, adding that the other girls involved were eager to teach her daughter and also shared their equipment. Kallaugher noted that now both of her daughters play the sport because of being involved in the Pioneer Valley Girls Golf. She added that her now 14-year-old daughter will be trying out for her high school golf team in the fall and her oldest will be playing for the University of Hartford golf team this year. "Now we [the three of us] play for coffee and the loser [of the round] pays. I don't think I've been treated once," Kallaugher said with a chuckle. She explained that the organization has evolved greatly since its inception in 1997, which now includes 64 members and the "Western Massachusetts Mini-Tour." The tour includes two weeks of golf rounds and one week of instructional clinics for members. The girls are also encouraged to play in local and regional tournaments, Kallaugher noted. By being a part of this organization she said her daughters have learned to have "a great respect for people, not just on the course, respect for the environment and the people they're playing with and also built friendships with people from other communities." The members will also be playing the 9th Annual Western Massachusetts Charity Golf Classic on July 18 to raise money for Pioneer Valley Girls Golf. Levels of participation are $80 for "Golfer," $50 for "Par," $150 for "Birdie," $300 for "Eagle" and $700 for "Double Eagle." The tournament will take place at the Southampton Country Club. Check-in will take place from 7:30 8:45 a.m., and the shotgun scramble will be at 9 a.m. Kallaugher noted that the only stipulation for playing is that each group playing must have at least one lady. For more information about Pioneer Valley Girls Golf or the tournament call 896-0596 or 525-3297 or e-mail LBJ311@hotmail.com. | ||||||
