Scott Kaniewski
Too often, high school boys and girls golfers pick their clubs
up when the season starts and put them down the day it ends.
Rock Canyon girls golf coach Dave Vahling is hoping to end that
trend. This summer, Vahling is starting a boys and girls summer
golf league for players entering seventh grade through seniors in
high school.
“What we’re trying to do with the summer program … is develop
lower-level players,” Vahling said. “Girls on the lower level need
a lot of help. Some of the [No. 3 and No. 4] girls on a team
hopefully will benefit by this.”
Vahling said that middle schools recently dropped their golf
programs, so allowing incoming seventh- and eighth-graders to
participate will fill that hole.
“When the season ends … some of those girls won’t touch clubs
until next January,” Vahling said. “We want to keep them involved
while it’s still fresh in their mind.”
Vahling is planning to have the league tee off the second week
of June. Each Monday during the seven-week session will be a
training camp, focusing on putting, short game and driving. And
each week will have an 18- and 9-hole tournament.
Players will be put in different skill levels, allowing them to
compete with golfers of similar skill. Tournaments will take place
at various courses.
“Part of the idea is to expose them to different courses,”
Vahling said.
At the practice session, high school coaches from the Highlands
Ranch and Douglas County areas are expected to teach, including
Vahling, whose Jaguars won the 2009 4A state title.
The league is open to all golfers in the specified age groups,
including those from the Littleton and Cherry Creek school
districts.
Heritage coach Jill Schrader wasn’t sure if any of her players
would participate because of other commitments, but she saw the
summer league as a good possibility.
“I think it’s a great idea for the lower-tier players,” Schrader
said.
Fees for golfers would range from $195-$395, depending on
choices of tournaments and the practice sessions.
For more information contact Vahling at coloradogolfworks@gmail.com
or 303-627-7900 or 720-495-4608.
