A BAG-FULL OF FUN AT HOOK A KID ON GOLF by John Craig

With golf bags in tow, they came four-by-four from far and wide, on the second day of a work week, to help kids expand their horizons.  In other words, a bunch of foursomes got together for a day of golf at the 2009 “Hook A Kid On Golf Charity Classic.” A good time was had by all.
Here is a photo album of the event.

“Congratulations!  [It] takes a lot of time and effort to put on an event like this,” wrote businesswoman Sharon Hoorwitz in an e-mail to the Operating Board of Hook A Kid On Golf. “The weather certainly cooperated….Happy golfing to all the junior golfers.” That pretty much sums it up. It’s a one day event for supporters but a six-week program for kids in Schenectady County.

The event was held July 28 at the Schenectady Municipal Golf Course and raised more than 10-thousand dollars for the clinics. The golf clinics, run by PGA Head Professional Brian Damon along with assistants Anthony Abbruzzese and Mark Fretto, run for six weeks from 8:00 AM to noon. They began Monday, July 13 and runs until August 21.

Major supporters include city Mayor Brian Stratton, Price Chopper, NYSUT, Schenectady NAACP, Schenectady YMCA, FedEx, Clough Harbour, Fenimore Asset Management, Schenectady’s Promise, Wyld About Life and Oak Ridge Golf Clubs.

Capitalareagolf.com is another major sponsor which provides coverage of golf throughout the year. It’s your link for stories about this charity, junior golf, personalities and photos.

WHAT’S IN THE BAG? COMMUNITY SUPPORT

This year, “Hook A Kid On Golf’s” second in Schenectady, the organization had tremendous support from the community.  Just organizing the event is a teaching tool for kids and parents involved with the program.  The involvement by the New York State United Teachers Union, NAACP and YMCA all bring kids to the event, introduce them to the game and repeatedly get them to the golf course.

The YMCA runs a camp at Jerry Burrell Park in the Hamilton Hill section of Schenectady and sends kids from those camps to the municipal golf course week after week. Lou Magliocca, the YMCA’s Executive Director, stepped up with buses for the program. “We are making it easy for kids interested in golf,” Magliocca said. “It’s a great program and we expect to be involved for years to come.

“This is an excellent opportunity for kids to be exposed to something that they might never be exposed to in life,” he said. They all joined up after seeing the success from the first year, when Schenectady was named by the national organization as “New Site of the Year” and taught more than 60 kids the game while raising $24,000.

BOB MURPHY’S BAG

“I have all Callaway equipment and it is a nice bag and…it was on display and I liked it.” So says Tony Galka, who got the most unique item that was offered at the second “Hook A Kid On Golf Charity Classic,” a Callaway Diablo Staff golf bag with the “Hook A Kid On Golf” logo and the name “Bob Murphy” embroidered on the side.

Former PGA Tour and Champions Tour player Bob Murphy has been the spokesman for the national charity since its inception, 19 summers ago.  Murphy is currently a golf broadcaster for NBC Sports and took time from his work at the U.S. Open to record a video message specifically for the Schenectady Chapter.  Before heading back to the broadcast compound, he said, “Maybe I can do more. I might have a few things to help you out.”

A few days after Lucas Glover’s final putt dropped and he held the U.S. Open trophy, Murphy had flown home to Florida and shipped a brand new bag from Callaway, his sponsor, and an official “Bob Murphy Irishman” head cover. Both were auctioned off.

The head cover was bought by Ben Gabriele for $40 and the cart bag was bought by Galka for $150.

“It’s a good deal plus it’s a good cause,” Galka said. “I know he’s a commentator and I like him. I’m definitely into golf.” Galka, 61, started playing golf just six years ago as he retired from his managerial job at GE.

“My days were never my own so I didn’t realize what golf was until I retired so I’m pretty much into it now,” he said. He plays up to four times a week, usually with retired firemen, and carries a 14-handicap.

“I really wish I started when I was younger,” he said. He grew up playing baseball, basketball and bowling. These days, you’ll find him at Schenectady Muni and Briar Creek, where he is in leagues. But he likes to branch out too.
“I try to play one different course a week,” he said.

Town of Colonie is another favorite and if you see the maroon Diablo bag on the back of a cart, it’s probably not Bob Murphy, but Galka. He thinks the effort in Schenectady is something that should be embraced.

13TH HOLE A NEW BAG OF TRICKS

Players who participated got an added treat when they got to the 13th hole at Schenectady Municipal Golf Course. There they found a junior golfer who helped each foursome at the par-3, 155-yard hole nicknamed “Goose.”
Each player hit their tee shot and then got the aid of a promising young player who gave the team an extra shot to choose from in the scramble format. He then went up to help putt and more often than not, a team left with a birdie on the scorecard.

After the event, while chatting over food served by the Municipal Grille, that unique addition was the talk of the tournament.

To see more pictures of the fun at the 13th and the other 17 holes, Capitalareagolf.com has photos taken by local photographer Dave Kraus. 
GOODY BAG

Each of the 80 golfers took away much more than just a day away from work and a scramble score. Each player found a goody bag filled with great items including one unique addition compared to most outings: a book on golf.

“Golflyns in America” by John Swantek and illustrated by Erica Pelton is for anyone who loves the game of golf, but there’s a warning on the cover. It reads: “Don’t even try to buy this book for yourself!”  The idea is that if you dare to learn the ways of the Golflyns – leprechaun/troll-like figures that affect your game – it will improve your scores but buying it yourself nixes, maybe “86’s,” the karma. It’s a book that is geared for older readers but open to anyone who tees it up.

It’s published by Jan Spairana, President of Eagle Crest Publishing in Troy. He donated dozens of copies for the golfers and extras for the kids in the clinic. There is a second book written but not yet published. Maybe the response from this giveaway will spur on the sequel.

Also in the bag were hats donated by CDPHP; pens, pencils and DNA ID kits from The Center for Hope and Doug and Mary Lyall; koozies from First National Bank of Scotia; water bottles from MVP Healthcare and the Air National Guard; note pads, footballs, highlighters and MOJO Nike golf balls from Brian Damon. “Hook A Kid On Golf” Executive Director Frank Ciarlo said that special thanks goes to the Chamber of Schenectady County for its help in rounding up some items.

Golfers all had memories of what could-have-been with the putting contest. Top prize was $5,000 but the finalist did not make the 60-foot tester. Entry fee was $10 per putt and it raised quite a bit of money for “Hook A Kid On Golf.”

Donations also came from “Top of the World Resort” in Lake George, and even TaylorMade golf. A graphic designer with the company, Chris Piniarski, donated three hats – red, white and blue – that all sported a unique logo designed by him for company players and caddies only at the 2009 U.S. Open at Bethpage Black. Each hat was auctioned off and brought more than $100 total.

19th SUMMER IN THE BAG

The National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS), is currently enjoying its 19th summer of introducing first-timers to the game of golf. Since its inception in 1990, approximately 75,000 children throughout 300 communities have participated in the program. Last year alone, more than 3,500 children were able to experience golf for the first time thanks to “Hook A Kid On Golf.”

Some background:
1990: The first Hook A Kid On Golf facility was officially unveiled at the Ironhorse Golf Club in Leawood, Kansas.
1991:  Partnered with the United States Golf Association (USGA) to provide grant opportunities to communities in underprivileged areas, allowing even more children to experience the game who otherwise would never have had an opportunity. Since then the program has enjoyed unprecedented growth every year.

1999: NAYS added to the mix the annual Traditions of Golf Challenge tournament, in which outstanding teams already involved are chosen to participate.

Three levels: Tee Level Introductory Clinic, kids ages 8-13 with no prior golf experience; Green Level Training Program, ages 8-15 with a basic knowledge of golf; Challenge Golf Leagues, team-oriented recreation league play ages 8-15 with moderate experience.

For more information on Hook A Kid On Golf or the USGA matching grant, visit www.hookakidongolf.org or call (800) 688-KIDS. To learn more about NAYS visit www.nays.org.

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