By Susan Shanley
C & G Sports Editor

ST. CLAIR SHORES — St. Clair Shores Country Club is a popular place during the summer months.

At last count, 38 leagues — 850 league golfers — log a total of about 17,000 rounds per golf season.

And that’s just the league golfers.

This summer things have been even busier, as the St. Clair Shores Parks and Recreation Department — along with Tim Dorner, the golf course superintendent, and Jawor’s Golf Center’s PGA professional Alex Macko — teamed up to host three free two-day junior clinics, the last of which wrapped up July 23-24.

On the first day of each clinic, youngsters learned the basics of the grip and swing, and then got to hit a variety of shots while the instructors gave them some pointers.

Day two of the clinic concentrated on how to behave properly on the course, including where they should stand while their playing partner is hitting, how to repair their divots and ball marks, and other basics of the game. They also watched as the instructors played a few holes.

“We really made an effort to reach out to juniors this year,” Dorner said. “It’s the best way to grow the game. We were very pleased with the turnout.”

For the juniors who participated in the clinic and then went on and completed one of Macko’s junior clinics at Jawor’s — five, one-hour classes for $60 — they were then given a free junior membership at the Shores Country Club and nine holes of golf.

“I think this program can only get bigger and bigger,” Macko said. “We started with one clinic and ended up filling three, and I think we had 36 kids on a waiting list. A lot of the kids from the clinic came over and took the class with me. Some of the parents even got involved.”

Shores Parks and Recreation Director Greg Esler said he hopes to have a junior golf clinic on the city’s recreation schedule next summer. Just as the free clinics were open to all junior golfers, regardless of residency, so will the class through the parks department, with Shores kids getting first consideration should the class fill up.

“This was a great experience for the kids,” Esler said. “It taught them the basics of golf, and hopefully, helps them appreciate the Parks and Recreation Department. When they do come out and patronize the golf course, they’ll know not only how to play but how to act on the course.”

In keeping with the theme of reaching out to junior golfers, the course has a deal just for them on Saturdays. Known as the “family special,” golfers 17 and under get their greens fees free — the cart is $7.50 — if they are accompanied by a full-paying adult.   

You can reach Sports Editor Susan Shanley at sshanley@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1048.