The award winning DPRD Youth Golf Program is well known. It includes a lot of free instruction to kids through the "Rec Center Golf Program" where PGA Professionals conduct outreach programs via teaching the PGA First Swing Program at no charge at over 20 different Dallas Park Department Recreation Centers throughout the summer.

What a lot of folks may NOT know is that there is a higher level instructional program available to any youth age 7-17 and it is held at both Keeton Park Golf Course and L.B. Houston Golf Course each summer. This TWO DAY - DAY CAMP format has been real popular with the kids and parents alike and is affordable at $60 per camp. It includes an all morning clinic format, lunch each day, a camp shirt, free rules books and other golf informational materials, and supervised "on course" play in the afternoon.

Each youngster receives a certificate which identifies their accomplishment as well as a PGA Junior Foundation membership card. There are 6 sessions at Keeton and 3 at LB Houston and the camps are directed by PGA Master Professional, Kim J. Brown and PGA Professional at LB is Leonard Jones.

A way anyone from the public can "get involved" is to contribute to the Northern Texas PGA Junior Golf Foundation the amount of $90 and identify this contribution as a "Help a Kid Play Golf" donation. The $90 not only pays the tuition for a deserving youngster into one of the day camp programs, it also provides summer long green fees at any of the City of Dallas golf courses for that same youngster. To make your tax deductible contribution, contact NTPGA Jr Golf Foundation at (972)881-GOLF or call Kim J. Brown at (214)670-8784.

In a closing note, programs that involve "community outreach" are springing up all over North Texas which is proof that PGA Members from this region are still taking the initiative to be the leaders in youth golf activities, not only here but on a national scene. Pros like Kim Brown, Leonard Jones, and the other Dallas Park and Recreation Department pros are well respected nationally for their efforts at promoting the game of golf. North Texas is "rich" in junior golf promoters with additional names like Sherwin Cox, Randy Smith, Scott Robbins, George Priolo, Ray Lamb, Price Courtier, etc. The list goes on and on and all of these folks actively "give back" to the game of golf every year.

The recently conducted "First Par" clinic that was held at Singing Hills Rec Center in Dallas is an indication that the community is supporting the initiatives the these Professionals have started. Dr. Nathan Jones, President of the Las Colinas Sports Club, started a program called "First Par" which was designed to contribute sets of clubs and some funding to support the initiatives of the NTPGA Jr Golf Foundation. It was very gratifying to watch the good Doctor and about a dozen members of the most affluent "Sports Club" show up on a recent Saturday with a moving van full of sets of clubs that were given away to the 100 inner city kids that participated in a one hour clinic and then left in glee with their donated full set of golf clubs.

If you want to jump in and help out, please call Chris Knight, the full time Junior Golf Director for the NTPGA and he will explain how you can help. Those interested in the First Par Program should contact Dr. Jones at (817)267-7709. Volunteers for all of these programs are needed so if you can't afford to give away clubs or money, You CAN STILL HELP! Call today!

Associate Editor Victoria Boysen is a former Wake Forest and NTPGA golfer, and is a 1992 AJGA/Rolex All-American
(May 12, 1997)©