For Monett High School senior Caleb Long, receiving tips from any golf guru is nice. On Monday, it was even more special.
“It’s definitely good to speak one on one with a pro,” said Long, who was among 90 teens who turned out for the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame’s 21st annual High School Golf Clinic presented by the Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company.
Held on the driving range of Highland Springs Country Club, the event featured 15 area teaching professionals who spent two hours with golfers representing 10 Springfield-area schools. The day concluded with a rules meeting and quiz along with Chick-fil-a donating chicken sandwiches and Price Cutter Supermarkets donating chili.
High schools represented were Buffalo, Glendale, Greenwood, Kickapoo, Marshfield, Monett, New Covenant Academy, Parkview, Reeds Spring and Seymour.
“This year, we were able to expand our range of schools, which made for a more successful event,” said Taylor Frederich, who handles Sponsor Development for the Hall of Fame. “Moving forward, I can only anticipate the event continuing to grow. The comments were real positive to have the opportunity to learn from Brian Maloney and Missouri Sports Hall of Famer Rick Grayson. That’s an opportunity no high school golfer should miss.”
Long has been playing for years and receiving tips from older brother, Jacob, a golfer at the University of Missouri. The clinic opened his eyes to new techniques, and he hopes his teammates benefitted, too.
“It helps grow our program, especially our freshmen who need to get that experience,” Long said. “This will help then know what they need to do in order for their high school career to succeed.”
Many other teens echoed those remarks.
“I think it’s great to get a professional’s opinion,” Glendale junior Olivia Baron said. “You hear something from every single pro. Most of us (Glendale girls) don’t play that much in the offseason, so this is good.”
Said Lilli Baldner, a Kickapoo freshman, “I thought it was helpful. We’re into the offseason, but we’ll be practicing for our season soon.”
Brian Maloney, the Director of Golf at Highland Springs, secured 15 area teaching pros. They included Bryan Daniels of Silo Ridge Golf and Country Club in Bolivar, Brian Bennett and Justin Bulcock of Fremont Hills Country Club, Don Greene and Jim Gregory of Millwood Golf & Racquet Club, Max Arrowood formerly of Twin Oaks Country Club, Rick Grayson, Larry Ray and Ron Sweet of Rivercut Golf Course, Garrett Holt of Horton Smith Golf Course, Sean Saunders of SWS Golf Academy as well as Dan Davis and Jeff Walster of Branson Hills Country Club.
“Every day I try to get better and get my swing perfect,” Buffalo freshman Hadley Louderbaugh said. “At my course, we don’t have a driving range, so I have to focus on my shots really well.”
Kickapoo freshman Tate Reed also was all ears as a teaching pro helped enhanced his grip.
“It’s a real big help,” Reed said. “I just got into golf, and it lets me know what I’m doing wrong and what I need to do right.”
