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May 2010
For years, the Atkinson Resort and Country Club has been known for its 18-hole golf course, but head golf professional Peter Doherty said he hopes this year will change all that.
"The 18-hole championship course we have is a regulation course," he said. "It doesn't suit new players or really young players very well. Some players might feel intimidated by it."
About five years ago, Doherty said, club staff began mulling over ways to make the environment more family friendly.
The result was a 9-hole, par-3 golf course, which officially opened last July, Doherty said. And now during its first full season, Doherty said he hopes the course will serve as a training ground for young players.
"We had the golf academy and junior clinics and no place to really give them a chance to learn the game," he said. "This course helps us with developing these kids and beginners into the game. That's the PGA model -- to grow the game of golf -- and we haven't been able to do it as well as we can now."
To encourage more people to take advantage of the course, the club is hosting two 10-week leagues this season. Joining a league will cost $130, which includes the games of golf, prizes and an end-of-the-season party. The first league begins on May 12 and the second on July 28.
And just weeks into this year's season, Doherty said the course is slowly gaining popularity.
"The reaction has been fantastic for those who have been out there to play it," he said. "The hardest part is the exposure. Just like everything else new, it takes time to get out there and it takes word of mouth."
For more info visit www.atkinsonresort.com or call 362-8700. |
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