Kids get into the swing of things at Coeur d'Alene golf course

COEUR d’ALENE — Joe Dauncey-Scheler likes being a lineman in football because, as he said, he gets to smash people. 

Thursday, the 11-year-old was smashing golf balls and loving it. 

“It’s been fun,” he said on a sunny Thursday morning. 

Dauncey-Scheler was one of several kids from Boys and Girls Clubs of Kootenai County who received free golf lessons this week courtesy of the Friends of CDA Public Golf Club Foundation at the Coeur d’Alene Public Golf Club. 

Volunteer Dick Schultz said he saw a huge improvement in the young duffers from Day One on Monday to Day Four on Thursday. 

He said the boys and girls listened well and were giving it their best to send the small white ball in the right direction. 

Still, many shots zinged left or right, and sometimes the kids whiffed completely. Asked about the toughest part of golf for the youth, Schultz smiled. 

“Probably just being careful about hitting people right now,” he said, laughing. 

He said if the kids develop a passion for golf today it could stick with them into adulthood. 

“Hopefully it will carry over,” Schultz said. 

Ken Catalano, board member with Friends of CDA Public Golf Club Foundation, said they have 34 volunteers teaching youth aspects of golf, including putting, chipping, pitching and on the final day, they get to take some full swings with drivers. 

They learn about keeping score and proper etiquette, but they also get life lessons in honesty, responsibility and integrity. 

The foundation expanded its summer youth camp programs from three to five this year. It’s the third year it offered free lessons to nearly 50 kids through the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kootenai County. About 200 more signed up through the city of Coeur d’Alene’s recreation department. 

Last year, it had about 150. 

Some of the youth had never held a golf club, much less stepped on a green. Others were more experienced and had played with parents.

“Every year, we’re building,” Catalano said. 

On Day One, some of the boys and girls didn't really want to be there. But the more they played, the more they were anxious to get to the links and see what they could do. 

“I love seeing the improvement and the progress,” he said. 

Larsen Pichotta said he’s come to enjoy golf. The 11-year-old said bunker shots were difficult, but putting was easier and he drained some long ones. 

“I still have a lot to learn,” he said, "but I’m having fun, and that’s all that matters.” 

Catalano said golf can be played for a lifetime, and he encouraged the kids to stay with it. College scholarships, perhaps even the pro tour, were possibilities.

“This may be their first time playing but hopefully not their last,” he said.   

    Volunteer Dick Schultz with Friends of CDA Public Golf Club Foundation helps Larsen Pichotta during a golf lesson at the Coeur d'Alene Public Golf Club on Thursday.