Club pros assist by making their courses available at reduced prices. We think there's a model that other metropolitan areas can emulate. Trip Kuehne notes that when he was growing up, there were roughly three Northern Texas junior events and the city championship. Inspiration Smith calls it the lead-horse theory. An outstanding junior player experiences success.
Younger players notice, emulate and aspire.
At Royal Oaks, Smith recalls the first lead horse was Gary Webb, who played at Texas. Then it was Russell Bieirsdorf, who led SMU to the '88 SWC title. Then it was long-hitting Jeff Lee. Today, when Leonard and Smith work on the Royal Oaks driving range, it is commonplace for Smith to see kids peering around bushes, watching Leonard's every move. The kids have the advantage of being around them, practicing with them, watching them.