A Summer Tradition
Last Saturday we kicked off summer with our first free Junior Golf Clinic, and the turnout was incredible. How many kids showed up? More than we could count.
The skies stayed overcast all morning, but the rain never came. Instead, we got perfect temperatures and about as good a morning on the golf course as we could ask for.
From the moment the clinic started, the practice area was full of energy. Kids couldn’t wait for their turn to hit; parents lined the practice area recording swings and snapping photos, while some of the younger golfers entertained themselves in the hula hoops we use as “safety circles.” It was busy, a little chaotic, and exactly the kind of scene we love to see every summer.
Seeing so many young golfers excited to learn the game is one of our favorite parts of the summer. Some arrived with golf experience, while others had never held a golf club before. It didn’t matter. Everyone was there to learn, have fun, and spend a morning outdoors with friends and family.
The clinics have become a summer tradition in Fredericksburg, bringing together young golfers, instructors, volunteers, and families from across the Hill Country. We’re proud to host these events in partnership with the Junior Golf Foundation of Fredericksburg and grateful for the support that allows us to offer them free of charge.
Making golf accessible to local kids has always been important to us. Through the support of the Junior Golf Foundation of Fredericksburg, kids can learn the game without the cost of lessons or equipment. The Foundation helps make the clinics possible and also supports local middle school and high school golf programs. Lady Bird and Boot Ranch take turns hosting clinics throughout the summer, giving local juniors more opportunities to learn and play.
These clinics bring together people from every corner of the Fredericksburg golf community. PGA professionals, coaches, retired coaches, high school golfers, college players, and volunteers all step in to help. Participants learn the fundamentals of golf, along with etiquette, rules, and course awareness. Just as importantly, they learn patience, respect, and how to encourage one another.
Over the years, we’ve had the chance to watch a lot of young golfers grow up around Lady Bird. Some juniors took their first swings at these clinics and later represented Fredericksburg on their high school teams. Some have competed at the state level. Others have continued their golf careers in college. Kids who once stood in those same safety circles waiting for their turn to hit are now helping teach drills, answer questions, and encourage younger golfers. Seeing them come back and help the next group is one of the most rewarding parts of the program.
The free Junior Golf Clinics are open to all juniors ages 6-15 and rotate between Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course and Boot Ranch throughout the summer. Clinics at Lady Bird are held on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. on June 6, June 20, July 11, July 25, and August 1. Clinics at Boot Ranch are held on Fridays at 4:00 p.m. on June 12, June 26, July 17, and August 7. New and returning young golfers alike are encouraged to join us.
The summer program concludes on August 15 with the Hill Country Drive, Chip & Putt Competition at Lady Bird Johnson Golf Course. The event gives participants a chance to put their skills to the test and celebrate everything they’ve learned throughout the summer. It’s always a fun way to wrap up the season and see how much the kids have improved since the first clinic.
The first clinic of the summer was a great reminder of what these programs are all about. Between the packed practice area, parents snapping photos from the sidelines, and kids eager for their next turn to hit, it was about as good a start to the summer as we could have hoped for. We look forward to seeing familiar faces, welcoming new ones, and doing it all again at the next clinic.
See more photos here.
See more photos here.