Pro golfers, ANWA players inspire a love for the game in CSRA students during Golf With Us Clinic
Apr. 1—EVANS, Ga. — Demarkus Mealing, a third grader with the Boys and Girls Club of Augusta, said his only real golf experience has been playing putt putt.
That changed for the aspiring young athlete March 30 during Bank of America's Golf With Us Clinic at Jones Creek Golf Course in Evans, where around 70 students from the Boys and Girls Club, First Tee of Augusta and area high school girls' teams had the chance to get firsthand instruction from the best of the best. Another Golf With Us Clinic was hosted earlier this month at the Old Barnwell Golf Club in Aiken County. "I have never met a pro golfer in my life," said Mealing, who was enthusiastic about getting a hang of golfing basics with the aid of some household golfing names: World Golf Hall of Fame member Annika Sorenstam alongside Suzy Whaley, an ESPN commentator and former PGA of America president.
For Bank of America's Augusta-Aiken Market Executive, Marissa Smith, this is what the clinic is all about — extending opportunities to students who may otherwise never be exposed to the game. "There's so many young kids now that don't have access to golf. And so this is really just about giving them that opportunity," she said.
Part of Golf With Us's mission to make golf more obtainable for youth includes providing young golfers with the ability to play at golf courses across the nation at a low cost. Bank of America is currently inviting kids 6-18 to Golf With Us through a free one-year membership to Youth on Course, which gives them access to tee times for $5 or less at thousands of courses nationwide. Sorenstam, who has been involved with this clinic for years, said she's especially fulfilled by the opportunity to interact with "curious minds.
" "I love the energy. They come here with a lot of energy," she said. "They're ready to go.