Annual Valley Junior Golf Program Growing

DAYTON -- A burst of rain dampened day two of the ju- nior golf lessons hosted by the Dayton Ladies group last Tues- day, but coordinator Evelyn Himmelberger and instructor Max Reinland won't let the weather waterlog their spirits.

The free five-day program at the Touchet Valley Golf Course focuses on putting, chipping, driving etiquette and safety for kids ages 7-18.

"It's a lot of fun and we all enjoy it," Himmelberger said. "Max is a marvelous, marvel- ous guy. The kids listen to him and give him high fives."

Reinland is a golf pro at the Veterans Memorial Golf Course in Walla Walla and he has been participating in the junior golf lessons for the last three or four years.

Reinland said he likes to focus on etiquette during all of the lessons.

"Max teaches etiquette right away to keep the kids in line," Himmelberger said.

Reinland said it's an impor- tant part of the game that will help the kids throughout their golf career. Even casual players need to know the rules of the course. Plus, he added, it helps keep the students organized.

"The young kids keep up if you give them rules," Rein- land said. "Etiquette is the no. 1 thing I preach, so the kids know how to behave when they are on the course on their own."

Himmelberger said the kids are all really well behaved and easy to work with, which helps the week go smoothly and keeps everyone safe.

"Etiquette is a big deal but safety is always our biggest concern," Himmelberger said.

The safety concern was what kept the kids off of the course Tuesday. Reinland said he was worried the wet clubs would be more likely to slip out of the kids' hands, creating a real hazard to the other players.

Reinland said usually 50 to 60 kids turn out for the program but this year there were 62 students who came out for the lessons, one of the biggest turnouts they've had recently. Reinland said being short- staffed is a big concern when he is trying to teach the kids but the organization gets easier every year.

Both Reinland and Himmelberger said the students improve every year and many of the students return year after year for more lessons.

"You can see the difference from year to year when the kids come in," Himmelberger said. "A lot of the kids return but quit once they are old enough to work."

Reinland said he is always pleased with the work the stu- dents do and he is impressed with them every year.

Himmelberger has been coordinating the event for about 20 years but says this will be her last year leading the program.

"It's time for me to let some- one else take over," she said.

The week-long program ends Friday, June 29, with the kids heading out to play a few holes in the morning and a bar- becue in the afternoon.