MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- It’s a challenging game, yet it’s a game of patience, control and integrity. It requires no partners, no opponents, not even special shoes or clothes. All that is required is a club and a ball.
Paradise Point Golf Course hosted a Ladies Clinic, June 22 through 24, aboard Camp Lejeune for those who were interested in learning how to golf or improve their game.
“We hold these golf clinics in attempt to grow the game,” said Bruce Oliver, manager and head professional with Marine Corps Community Services and Paradise Point Golf Course. “It’s the Professional Golf Association’s initiative. They are very interested in growing the game of golf each year by introducing enough people to it.”
The women who signed up were able to attend the three day clinic for $20 with all the gear and equipment they needed to golf supplied by Paradise Point Golf Course.
“I like the game and wanted to play better,” said Lynn Healey, a military spouse. “You can’t really beat the price to get three two-hour lessons.”
During the clinic, women were taught the fundamentals, rules and etiquette of golf. They learned about proper alignment, stance, grip and how to swing. They were also taught safety while golfing.
“We do whatever we can to get people into the game of golf and stay,” said Oliver. “Surprisingly, a fair amount of golfers are ladies.”
Often people begin golfing and then later on quit, saying it takes too much time to play a game of golf, said Grant Beck, assistant PGA golf professional and assistant manager with MCCS Paradise Point Golf Course. People can always choose how many holes they want to play depending on how much time they want to spend golfing.
“I enjoy being outside, out in the open on a beautiful day, and this course is really easy to come out and hit practice shots,” said Healey. “Golf is a great thing to do, I find it calming and a stress reliever.”
For Shelley Rodriguez, a military spouse, this was her first time playing. She said a friend told her about the clinic and they decided to sign up as a group.
“It’s harder than I thought it would be, but it’s fun,” said Rodriguez. “We started with the very basics of the game, such as how to swing.”
Paradise Point Golf Course has two complete golf courses to offer its golfers, the Scarlet and the Gold. Both are 18 hole courses, with Scarlet being par of 70 and Gold being par of 72. There are two driving ranges, three putting greens and a practice field as well.
Golf lessons are offered and available through the golf course. They are taught by Class A PGA Professionals.
The Ladies Clinic is held at least once every year. For more information about golf aboard Lejeune, private lessons, or participating in the Ladies Clinic call the Paradise Point Golf Course at 451-5445 or visit the Web site at mccslejeune.com/golf.