With Covid-19 restrictions easing in SA, Golf Australia was able to hold a ‘Girls Golf’ Development Program at West Beach Parks over 2 full days late September. It was a welcomed activity after the long held 3-day (2 night) SA ‘Girls Golf Camp’ in April had to be cancelled due to Covid-19 constraints. The development program attracted 21 girls aged between 7-15years. Some girls were golf club members, the lowest handicapper was 13, whilst other girls were relatively new to the game and attracted to the girls-only offering and social learning environment. Golf Australia engaged local female PGA Professionals Anne-Marie Knight, Sarah King and Sarah Douglass to deliver the sessions and share their knowledge and experience. Both mornings participants spent time developing their skills across 4 challenge stations - Putting, Chipping, Pitching and Long Game and each afternoon put their learnings into practice on the short course at West Beach. The youngest participant was 7-year old Ellie Hughes who made the trip all the way from the Riverland. “I‘m the youngest girl here. I’ve been learning what club to use and also how to hit the ball straight and high.” said Ellie. Ellie attend with her 9-year old sister Maicey who are both members of Berri golf club and play every Sunday. “I liked how we were taught how to do long driving and how to get out of the bunkers and also when we did Ambrose, cause I got some good hits and I hit a long putt which hit the flag and went in the hole.” said Maicey.

“When we were playing Ambrose some older girls in my group were teaching me things like what sticks I should use and it was making me improve. The older girls Taylor, Isabelle and Imogen were helping me. I liked it when the older girls were helping me”.

“We play every Sunday at Berri. We are staying at the West Beach Caravan Park across the road and we’ve come down to have some fun.” Maicey added.

Peyton Boon was another from Berri who made the 3 hour trip to Adelaide for the program. “I had fun and learnt how to hit the ball good and far. I learnt from Sarah King putting and hitting on the driving range and chipping.

“I learnt about the camp from Lynn Smith (Junior Coordinator) at the club. The most enjoyable part of the camp has been meeting new people.’ Payton aged 10 said.

Chloe Rogers from Reynella only started golf in July after attending Flagstaff Hill’s Term 3, MyGolf program delivered by Sarah Douglass.

“Yes I loved the camp, it was amazing. I knew one girl before, Eva, but I have met a few new girls today. My dad told me about it and I was quite interested. I want to be able to learn so I can go out and play with him when he’s out there.”

“I’ve learnt how to do bunker shots and how to do driving. I do callisthenics, which is like dance but I wanted to do an actual sport where I can run around and have fun instead of being inside and dancing.’ 10 year old Chloe said.

Elyse Kozlovic also 10, has been been playing for just under a year and like Chloe has been introduced to golf through her father.

“My dad plays golf and I saw him hitting a couple of shots and I wanted to try it. I’ve met probably 10 new girls, I didn’t know anyone before, I’ve had fun and it’s been good. “I’ve have had lessons at Grange with Nick McCormack and I sometimes go to the par 3 at North Adelaide. I usually practice just having a couple of chips and that.

“What I like about golf is that you are not competing against anyone, its mainly your trying to improve with your swing and it doesn’t matter what anyone else is doing or how they have played, it’s more your versing yourself.”