In Apalachin, N.Y., the Hiawatha Project, under executive director and PGA professional John Daniel, offers a vivid example of how a new program can appeal to youngsters in a more rural area. We started with a little announcement in the newspaper, with really no budget, and 500 kids showed up on the first Saturday. Daniel has been aided immeasurably by a course, The Links at Hiawatha Landing, that is committed to expanding the game. So committed, in fact, that an entire junior training center, including three practice holes, range and indoor teaching center, are in the final stages of completion. Hiawatha offers a variety of summer golf camps for kids who come in from different parts of the country, but its local focus has been intense.
Local kids can enroll in the program for no charge, and so can teachers from local schools.
They go right back into their school system, and more kids get exposure golf golf. The Junior Golf Association of Arizona, under executive director Tom Cunningham, also is working hard to get golf included in high school and middle school physical education programs. The association has 1,800 members statewide. Another key organization in the education movement is the National Minority Golf Foundation, headquartered in Phoenix. We assist other organizations and help facilitate things.