JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and Phil Mickelson didn't become legends overnight - all three began golfing well before playing professionally.
At Joint Base Langley-Eustis, the personnel at both Eaglewood and The Pines golf courses hope to see similar legends rise up, one swing at a time.
JBLE will participate in the third annual Professional Golfers' Association of America's Junior League Golf season, where JBLE juniors, ages 13 and under, have an opportunity to hone their skills, meet new friends and have a good time, according to Andy Weissinger, JBLE golf general manager.
"This is our first time participating in the event, and I have received a lot of support and excitement about [JBLE's] involvement," said Weissinger. "There are already more than 100 teams in our region, so we have a chance to meet others and expand our love for the sport."
The structure of the PGA JLG closely resembles Little League baseball. Two teams from Langley Air Force Base and Fort Eustis will compete locally with other nearby course teams, such as Ford's Colony and King's Mill. Exceptional players will be selected for a regional team that will compete against other regions.
From there, golfers go head-to-head at the national level for the championship. Although junior golfers have an opportunity to win big, Weissinger said every player, from novice to expert, will have a blast.
"PGA-certified instructors and volunteer community coaches will work with the teams, so everyone can learn something," said Weissinger. "Kids interested in the sport won't be turned away, and veteran golfers can hone their skills and shoot for the big leagues."
Golfers will receive their own jerseys, so parents and caretakers only need to provide clubs, a good pair of tennis or golf shoes and their support. If families are unsure about investing in clubs, Weissinger said the courses will loan a few sets of clubs, however the players may not use them for the whole season.
The tournament consists of five to six regular season games, which is about one a week, plus practices once or twice a week depending on the coaches and participants' needs. Each match consists of three, three-hole sections, with the winner decided by the best two out of three. Weissinger greatly encouraged spectators to attend. The season should start between May and June, however Weissinger said the official date is to be determined.
"Every time I see kids out on the green, I can tell this is something they really enjoy," said Weissinger. "I know we will see a lot of kids come out to tee-off, and I am excited to see this great sport grow here."
Registration ends on April 30. Registration fees are being evaluated at the time of this article; however, potential attendees should plan to pay up to $75 for the season. For more information or to register, contact Randy Lewis for Fort Eustis at 878-2252 or Justin Ford for Langley Air Force Base at 764-4547.