Community recognized for establishing official Hook A Kid On Golf chapter that has significantly upgraded the quality of its junior program

Much of the ease of running Hook A Kid On Golf is its all-inclusive nature. With a simple phone call or a click of a mouse sports administrators or athletic directors can order packages full of everything they need to run this innovative golf program, from clubs and equipment to manuals and brochures.

These easy-to-use packages are perfect for small communities or areas where golf interest is beginning to grow. However, for golf-crazed communities like Schenectady, N.Y., the Hook A Kid On Golf 2008 New Site of the Year recipient, there is a new way to implement the program – establishing an official Hook A Kid On Golf chapter.

“While you wouldn’t consider this part of the country a golfing hotbed, it has people passionate about the game and filling courses for the limited amount of nice weather we receive,” said Frank Ciarlo, president of the Schenectady Municipal Golf Course Junior Program.

In an effort to embed Hook A Kid On Golf as a long-term fixture in its community, the Schenectady Municipal Golf Course Junior Program has recently established themselves as an official chapter of Hook A Kid On Golf, which is self governed by its own board of directors. Rather than simply utilizing the Hook A Kid On Golf materials and equipment, the Schenectady Municipal Golf Course Junior Program is now an official satellite entity of Hook A Kid On Golf.

“We are extremely excited about Schenectady Municipal Golf Course Junior Program’s decision to become an official Hook A Kid On Golf chapter,” said Katie Gholson, Hook A Kid On Golf program director. “Not only will this help to solidify the program in their community for the long term, but it allows them the autonomy to modify or adapt the program as they see fit.”

The movement to establish an official Hook A Kid On Golf chapter was spearheaded by Ciarlo, Schenectady Mayor Brian U. Stratton, and Brian Damon, the Schenectady Municipal Golf Course head golf pro.

“I grew up here as a kid and the junior program was fairly strong,” Damon said. “After 12 years away, the junior program was not where it once was. So I sat down and met with some good people to bring the golf program in the right direction.”

Although the Schenectady Municipal Golf Course Junior Program is now a self-governing body outside of Hook A Kid On Golf, it still enjoys the full benefits of the normal program format; such as the modified youth golf equipment, the many instructional manuals and brochures and the chance to participate in the Traditions of Golf Challenge – Hook A Kid On Golf’s annual signature event.

“I think it’s great to have the equipment out there and the kids all decked out in shirts and hats,” Damon said. “But having the opportunity to come there the day after and not just coming once for a few days, that’s what’s great.”

The benefits of starting an official Hook A Kid On Golf chapter became evident in Schenectady pretty quickly. Shortly after its establishment, its board of directors decided to hold its own Schenectady Hook A Kid On Golf Charity Classic to help assist participants with registration fees.

“For our fundraising golf tournament corporate sponsors and community members helped support the idea with their time, talent and donations for a successful first-ever venture,” Ciarlo said.

The event raised more than $6,000, which enabled every participant to receive some sort of discount on their registration fees – some as much as 90 percent.

“We were fortunate enough to get a considerable amount of donations to help with a raffle – everything from private lessons to foursomes at some of the best resorts in the area to equipment – and we sold some advertisements in our program,” Ciarlo said. “Additionally, we had gift bags with snacks and tees and items they can use right away.  No one wants a gift bag with a lot of fliers so we put our heads together from what we didn’t like at other golf tournaments and, while it was small for our first outing, it was certainly well received.”

So far, Schenectady has run four Tee Level clinics – Hook A Kid On Golf’s introductory course – for about 90 participants. Next year they intend to implement the advanced Green Level and Challenge League programs.

“We were inspired to bring Hook A Kid On Golf here because we saw how successful it has been in other communities and we felt a need here in upstate New York,” Ciarlo said. “We have gotten tremendous support and response from the regulars that come to the course every morning for a quick nine, as well as from City Hall. Mayor Stratton has lent his time and support to the Hook A Kid On Golf program because he’s seen the benefits the game brings.”

As full believers in golf’s potential to teach life skills and lessons, Schenectady is making serious headway in establishing Hook A Kid On Golf as a permanent community program.

“I believe that golf is a game for life,” Damon said. “It’s a great place to be rather than being on the street. You make friends, it’s a great athletic activity and you’re out in nature. I’ve set a goal since coming here and that’s to make life-long golfers.”