Hundreds Of Kids Learn About Golf At CN Future Links Park Play Palooza Event In Cloverdale

CN Future Links Coordinator Stephanie Wong Works With Kids At The Cn Future Links And British Columbia Golf Exhibit At Cloverdale’s Park Play Palooza In Cloverdale - Image Credit Alfie Laui

by Alfie Lau

Jim Ingutia was holding two soccer balls in hand when he brought his four kids to Cloverdale Athletic Park on June 27 for Park Play Palooza.

Jason, 9, Jacob, 6, Janel, 5, and Joe, 3, were going to kick balls around with dad when they noticed the bright targets, balls and golf clubs in the lacrosse box where CN Future Links coordinator Stephanie Wong and her assistants, Eizza “Izzy” Hernandez and Kit Mung were showing hundreds of kids golf fundamentals using SNAG equipment.

The Ingutia family then spent the better half of their lunch hour launching tennis balls, putting, chipping and generally having a fun time learning that golf is accessible to all kids.

“We always come to the park to play soccer, but when we saw this, the kids wanted to give it a try,” said Ingutia. “The kids are having fun learning about golf and it’s nice they have these types of events for the kids.”

Wong is responsible for organizing these events, and since May, she has put together more than 35 events, running all through the province, right through August.

In fact, July’s schedule features 16 events, including multiple events on Canada Day and multiple events in Surrey and Kelowna. “The goal of these events is to introduce young children to a sport which isn’t traditionally part of PE (physical education) classes in school,” said Wong.

“The great thing about the SNAG equipment is it allows us to teach the fundamentals of golf, but with equipment that is easy to use and fun to play with.”

image credit alfie lau

Jim Ingutia Brought His Kids Jason, 9, Jacob 6, Janel, 5, And Joe, 3, To The Cn Future Links And British Columbia Golf Exhibit At Cloverdale’s Park Play Palooza In Cloverdale And They Learned The Fundamentals Of Golf With Snag Equipment

The SNAG “irons” are called launchers and their oversized heads are easy to hit. The coloured balls are the size of tennis balls and the targets are Velcro, which allows kids to earn points depending on where they hit the ball.

With lots of room in the lacrosse box, 10 children could hit balls at different stations, with targets on the ground, in the lacrosse net and even high up on the boards behind the net. Hernandez is having a ball working alongside Wong and with a constantly rotating crew of kids.

“I wish I had SNAG equipment when I was learning to golf,” said Hernandez. “It’s so appealing with the colours and how easy it is to hit the ball. But you still learn the basics of squaring the club at impact and making good contact.”

But it’s beyond the fundamentals that makes Hernandez happiest. “When you see the expression on a kid’s face when they hit the ball well, that’s why we’re doing this, that’s what makes this all worthwhile. It’s priceless to see them start loving the game I love so much,” said Hernandez.

image credit alfie lau

Eizza “Izzy” Hernandez Works With Children At The CN Future Links And British Columbia Golf Exhibit At Park Play Palooza In Cloverdale As Kit Mung And Stephanie Wong Look On

Events such as Park Play Palooza at Cloverdale Athletic Park are great family events where a variety of sports and activities are introduced to young children. While Wong and her team have half the lacrosse box for golf, the other half of the box is for archery.

Just outside the box, there’s a climbing wall and basketball hoops. And because fun comes in so many forms, there’s also a fire engine bouncy castle, entertainers in stilts and a bubble blowing party. Add in hot dogs and ice cream and informative booths for adults such as the BC Hydro PowerSmart booth and you have the makings of a fun afternoon.

While the event ran for three hours, the busiest time for Wong and her team came during lunch, when Hernandez, Mung and Wong were literally run off their feet supervising kids, giving them completion certificates and rewarding them with tattoos and wristbands.

Adults didn’t go away empty-handed, as they received an Acura golfer’s pack with tees, divot repair tool and ball marker.

image credit alfie lau

CN Future Links Coordinator Stephanie Wong Works With Kids At The Cn Future Links And British Columbia Golf Exhibit At Cloverdale’s Park Play Palooza In Cloverdale

Golf LAB at Northview coach Matt Palsenbarg also dropped by to offer his support to the event. Because young golfers might feel intimidated heading to a championship course like Northview to pick up the game, events such as the CN Future Links mobile events are integral in introducing kids to the game in an environment fit for learning and fun.

“I golfed a long time ago,” said Ingutia. “But after I had kids, I don’t have much time to golf. I would like to introduce them to golf, but how could I show them the game if I didn’t have an event like this?”

That’s why Wong and her summer events are so important to growing the game. For more information, including the schedule of upcoming CN Future Links events in British Columbia, please click here