The SCJGA’s best kept secret!
This past weekend 38 SCJGA Chapter Members were in attendance for the John Orr Leadership Camp in Florence, SC. Never heard of this event? That’s no surprise because this event is invitation only and serves as a reward to two deserving chapter members from each of our 19 chapters of the Hootie & the Blowfish Junior Golf Series. This was the fifth year of the event but our first year in Florence and under the name John Orr Leadership Camp, thanks to several community leaders in the Florence area and a title sponsorship from McLeod Health!
This year’s camp was held at Florence Country Club. How fitting with the great history of junior golf from this club, most notably that of the late Grant Bennett whose impact on junior golf is everlasting!
The goal of the camp is to offer encouragement to continue the game with excitement and enthusiasm for getting better. A few highlights from the weekend include: Fitness and Nutrition Expert – Ken Taylor who stressed the importance of not only fueling your mind for competition but the difference between the right and wrong type of fuel. Developmental Psychologist, Dr. Robert Vanderburg shed some light on the difference between junior golfers’ expectations and that of their parents. Dr. Vanderburg also conducted a “parents only” roundtable discussion on Saturday. PGA Professionals – George Bryan, Chase Butler and Jonathan Langford worked on several short game drills for putting, chipping, and pitching on Saturday morning. Participants were also treated to play a few holes with several members of the University of South Carolina and Francis Marion University’s men’s golf team on Sunday. That’s just the tip of the iceberg; we don’t want to give away all the fun.
What hasn’t been mentioned is how you can be nominated to attend this camp. We don’t give our local directors clear cut criteria for selection we just ask that they select those who stand for everything we, the SCJGA, try to emulate, build and promote thru all of our programs. That being honesty, integrity and respect of the game and the competition. Take a minute to view this short clip with some of our past participants and their favorite memories! Hopefully we will see you at next years event!
