Dayton Elementary students trade snow for the green

DAYTON-Dayton Elementary fourth and fifth graders were bummed when they found out that COVID-19 had squashed plans for a winter skiing program, but their teachers weren't about to let a pandemic slow down hopes for outdoor fun.

"Bluewood just wasn't comfortable with taking the risk," said Dayton Elementary teacher Wendy Davis-Richards. "Which was understandable. They wanted to keep their staff safe."

Richards has helped facilitate the annual ski program and said that they immediately started brainstorming ideas that could take the place of the ski program while remaining safe amid the pandemic. When golfing was suggested by a fellow teacher, Richards thought it was perfect.

"It was perfect because it is an outdoor activity that you can continue doing in your elder years; it's expensive, so you may not get exposed to it if your family is not involved," Richards said. "Those are all things that are similar to skiing. Plus, we still got to support a local business."

She began formulating a plan, working closely with the school, Columbia County Public Health, the Touchet Valley Golf Course in Dayton, and golf club members, saying that everyone was supportive of the idea.

The program was four days long, spanning over a month. The first two days, Richard said, she split the students up into groups, and they rotated between two holes on the course, learning how to putt or chip and focusing on basic skills. The students used cones and hula hoops to teach about aim, all while having fun.

The third week was spent learning how to follow the ball, count your hits, and understand pars and other golf rules. The final day, Richards said, was almost like a game, with the kids playing a scramble round.

The program would not have been possible if it weren't for the long list of volunteers, many of whom were former teachers, coaches, or instructors who enjoyed golfing in their pastimes.

"When I work with Bluewood, they have instructors," Richards said. "We group our kids, and I certainly have a list of chaperones for when they aren't at a lesson, but I don't have to worry about finding people who know how to teach."

Richards said she worked closely with Denise Hoon, a member of the TVGC board, to find people who fit the volunteer needs to teach young students and reach out to friends and other golf club members.

"I really want to convey how much I appreciate these people here because we couldn't have done it without them," Richards said of the volunteers. "They have given up four Fridays to do this. Denise Hoon has put in a few extra hours at the club. Inventorying clubs, sorting them, and getting them into groups so the kids could use them. I also really appreciate the clubhouse, the members, the volunteers, the county, and the school district for allowing them to get to do this."

One of the most touching parts of the program, Richards said, has been watching students that wouldn't otherwise participate in sports blossom. She recalled a moment when she watched a group of students listening to her dad, one of the volunteers, and using his advice out on the green.

"I can't get that type of focus in the classroom," Richards shared while laughing. "They are doing it here because they are feeling successful. It's been really neat to watch. Hopefully, we will get some lifelong golfers out of this!"