Smith Gives Back To Young Osky Golfers

Jerry Smith gives some pointers to young golfers at Harvest Point this past week.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The ping sound as club meets ball could be heard at Harvest Point Golf Course this week. Oskaloosa legendary golfer, Jerry Smith, took some time to give back to the game he’s enjoyed his entire life.

“It’s always fun to come back,” said Smith about his stop in Oskaloosa. Jerry is brother to Harvest Point owner Jeff Smith, and the family enjoys spending time together on the course.

Jeff Smith recently inducted his brother Jerry into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame.

Smith, who owns three professional wins during his career, spoke about the importance of the fundamentals. “I can remember when I was just like these kids getting started. You never know who you are going to be able to influence,” said Smith. “I had a lot of people along the way helping me, so any time I can return the favor and do something good for the game, I enjoy doing that.”

The instruction, equipment, and facilities have “come a long way”, says Smith from the days he first picked up a club. “If only I had this facility when I was their age.”

Competing against the many other distractions and opportunities that today’s youth enjoy, having young people on the range and putting greens gave instructors and coaches an opportunity to introduce some young people to the game.

“Golf just takes time,” said Smith of the effort players put into mastering their game.

Smith worries that he doesn’t see as many youth on the course playing the game as there once was. “When I was younger, I think there were more of us out there. I would like to see the kids getting out and just playing,” added Smith. “Working on your hand-eye coordination, making good contact, and posture” are some of the things Smith says he likes seeing youth work on.

Smith praised the work of his brother, Jeff Smith, and also newly announced William Penn Athletics Director, Nick Rule, for their job helping kids getting onto the course and playing.

Smith says that the support he receives from the Oskaloosa community is fun, especially when he’s playing in Des Moines at the champions event there. “It feels great when I look out into the crowd and I see people that I haven’t seen for awhile.”

The event was part of the Edmundson-Statesmen Junior Golf Association, which helps kids develop their golf game, while learning an appreciation of the game.

The Association will give boys and girls, ages 4-18, the opportunity to participate in ESJGA “Junior Days”, where they can play from three to nine holes on six different days throughout the summer at either Edmundson Golf Course or Harvest Point Golf Course. Members of the WPU women’s golf team and Edmundson Golf Course staff will be on site each day to facilitate the Junior Days.

Posted by on Jun 17 2017. Filed under Local News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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