By Tony Burns
Sports Editor
EL DORADO - The Sunday afternoon sun smiled brightly on a large contingent of youngsters, who took advantage of free golf lessons from professionals at the Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout Jr. Golf Clinic, held at the Mystic Creek Golf Course.
Professional golfers from the Symetra Tour provided demonstrations and instructions with assistance from Mystic Creek golf professionals and KidsNGolf coaches. Between 40 and 50 children took part in the event, which is a lead-in to the second annual Murphy USA El Dorado Shootout, which begins Friday and concludes on Sunday.
"For this being our first year, I think it's a great turnout. For these types of events, we usually get around 50 so we're right up there with all the other junior clinics," said Keri James, community relations and communications specialist at Murphy USA.
"I think it's great. We've had a wonderful turnout. We have 13 kids from HOPE Landing and the rest are kids from throughout the community. The way they have the stations set up is very cool. The kids get to do putting, chipping and driving and they also have a fun game section. I think it's great."
The children were divided into four groups and went to each of the four stations - putting, chipping, driving and the fun-and-games section, where they took aim at targets. In addition to coaches, a player on the Symetra Tour was at each station and took time to work with each youngster.
"They sent out an email to let us know there's a junior clinic. I volunteered," said Rica Tse. "I really enjoy working with kids. I think it's a great way to give back to the community and get kids into golf. It kept me out of trouble when I was growing up so I want to be able to do that for these kids as well."
Tse, a native of New Zealand who played at Mississippi State, provided instructions on the driving range. She said some of the youngsters showed promise.
"It's been a wide range. Some of the kids are just picking the golf clubs up for the first time today. But, there's quite a few that have actually played for a little while and they can hit the ball pretty good," she said.
"I'm just really proud that the community is doing something like this for the kids. Golf is really important for kids to get into at a young age. It makes it a lot easier for them as they grow older to keep at it, rather than picking it up at a later age."
Like Tse said, it was a wide range of skills - from youngsters who chipped and putted like seasoned veterans to newcomers whose clubs went farther than their golf balls. Regardless of the skill level, they all sported smiles and glistened with perspiration after spending a quality day outside in the bright sunshine.
"I like it. I like the people. They're nice and they're teaching me how to play," said 10-year-old Alex Grace Elia of El Dorado. "I learned to rock my shoulders and to keep my feet shoulder-length apart."
"There's teachers who can help you learn more about golf and you can become better with them helping you. I'm liking it. It's fun. Everybody can learn a lot," said 9-year-old Tate Stephens of Magnolia, who attended the clinic with his 6-year-old brother Knox Stephens.
Symetra professional Alexandra Casi worked individually with both boys and everyone else in the group at the chipping range.
"It's really fun," said Knox. "I think chipping is the most favorite thing I like to do because you don't have to hit really far and it's easy to do."
The Pro-Am will be held Wednesday and Thursday with the tournament teeing off on Friday. Jackie Stoelting of Vero Beach, Fla., won the inaugural event last year and is expected to return and defend her title.
The tournament itself promises to be bigger and better with new features added, including a beer garden and a Murphy USA store. Both will be available to the public to purchase food, drinks and other items.
"There's been a lot of build-up to this event," said James. "We're trying to make golf a bigger sport in the area. I think this is a good way of promoting it. It's such a great individual sport and it ties in really well with the tournament and these girls who are working so hard. I think it's a good thing for kids to be involved in. It teaches them discipline and I think parents like that."