History and Mission of Morty's Kids Jr Golf Days

History of Morty’s Kids Junior Golf Days

Since its inception in the summer of 2002, Morty’s Kids Junior Golf Days has given more than 1,100 boys and girls of Central Ohio an opportunity to learn golf skills in a kid-friendly environment.  Weekly clinics are taught by PGA and LPGA professionals on short game and full swing skills, as well as golf etiquette and rules of the game.  As young golfers progress and gain experience through the clinics, they strive to reach “Players Club” status which gives them the opportunity to play the course.

A variety of outings to the Memorial Tournament, Wendy’s Championship for Children LPGA Tournament, Nationwide Tour demonstration, and a US Open Sectional Qualifier have also been made available to the kids.  At the end of each summer, 36 children, who qualify through a tournament, are also given the opportunity to play in a nine-hole golf outing at an area country club.  Past hosts of this outing include Longaberger Golf Club, The Lakes Golf & Country Club, The Medallion Club, Columbus Country Club, and Jefferson Country Club.

Mission of Morty’s Kids Junior Golf Days

The purpose of this program is to present the game of golf in an environment that is filled with fun and in which performance is not measured by success or failure.  The amount of instruction that is learned is not as important as the junior golfer’s understanding of four important ideas: courtesy, fairness, character and sense of values.

The distance the ball travels will never be equal to the distance a junior golfer will travel in raising his or her own self esteem or in the broadening of their friendships.

2012 Program

Morty’s Kids Junior Golf Days 2012 will be held each Tuesday and Thursday morning June 12 - August 14 at Blacklick Woods Metro Golf Course.  Registration for this program opens March 15^th and is on a first come, first served basis.  Registration forms are sent to everyone on our mailing list at the beginning of March, or forms can be picked up at any of the seven Columbus Municipal Golf Courses beginning March 15.  Because of the volume of interest, registration for our program fills up quite rapidly.  Click here to be added to our mailing list.

Junior Golf Days 2012 is open to 7-18 year olds born between August 16, 1993 and June 13, 2005.  Children of all levels of golf exposure and experience come to our program each summer, some have never touched a golf club before and others play on their school’s golf team.  Character traits of respect, honesty, positive attitude, and responsibility are developed along with golf skills.

A $75 fee is charged for the 10 session season, and covers two 1-hour clinics and lunch.  Finanacial aid is available to those who cannot afford the fee.  Because our programs have always been available to children regardless of their financial means, there is great diversity in socio-economic backgrounds, religion, race, and educational experience.  Children in our program make new friends with kids they might not otherwise come into contact with.  Click here to get the parent handbook.

FAQ

Q   What is the dress code?

A    While there is no strict dress code enforced during Junior Golf Days, golf attire is strongly encouraged (collared shirts, Bermuda shorts).  Children earn a Morty’s Kids golf shirt after attending 4 sessions.  Golf shoes or tennis shoes are required. 

Q   Does my child need to bring golf clubs?

A    Children who have their own sets of clubs are encouraged to bring them, but we also have golf clubs for kids to use who don’t have their own. 

Q   What is the schedule for the program?

A    Weekly sessions are held every Tuesday and Thursday mornings June 12 – August 14.  Clinics begin at 9:00 AM (kids must be checked in at least 10 minutes prior) and lunch is typically over around 11:30 AM.  There are some variances to the schedule from week to week and depending a child’s skill level.  Click here for our calendar.

Q   Where is the program held?

A    Junior Golf Days is held at Blacklick Woods Metro Golf Course located at 7309 East Livingston Avenue Reynoldsburg, OH 43068.

Q   What happens when the weather is bad?

A    We have never had to cancel Junior Golf Days!  In the one case we had of bad weather, we brought all the kids indoors and had a makeshift Rules & Etiquette session with the whole group for 30 minutes until the storm passed.

Q   How is the program funded?

A    As you might guess, kids $7.50 weekly fees do not even cover our costs for lunch.  Individual and corporate donations, revenue generated by the Mortys Kids Classic and other fundraisers along with grants from the PGA and USGA Foundation have been the financial backbone of our programs.  If you are interested in making a donation, click here.

Q   Who are the instructors?

A   Instruction isprovided in the clinics by local PGA and LPGA professionals.  Volunteers assist golf pros in the clinics and provide supervision to groups playing the course.

Q   Who is Morty?

A    Morty was Robert J.G. Morton a retired bank executive who dedicated much of his life to the game of golf. He was recognized internationally as one of the most active proponents of the game. He personally worked continually to widen the appeal of golf. The Morton Foundation was established to continue and enhance his efforts.  Morty passed away in the spring of 2005, but his spirit lives on in the program.

Q   Is there a way for adults to be involved?

A    YES!  A program of this size and nature requires many volunteer hours.  Parents, grandparents, retirees, older siblings, and school teachers who volunteer in the clinics, on the course, at check-in or as outing chaperones make our program run smoothly.  Some volunteer positions require golf experience and others don’t, so we can find something for you to do regardless of your golf background.