ABC 7 Chicago

CENTURY-OLD COURSE NOW ALL ABOUT JUNIOR GOLF

There’s a nearly century-old golf course on the North Shore that has been through rough times, but thanks to an energetic new board there’s money in the bank to help the course in its new mission, bringing kids into the great game of golf.

You may have known it as the old Peter Jans Course on the edge of Northwestern University. It’s now called Canal Shores. And it’s all about junior golf.

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You may have known it as the old Peter Jans Course on the edge of Northwestern University. It’s now called Canal Shores. And it’s all about junior golf.

Getting more youngsters onto the 18-hole executive course that straddles the canal and the Evanston-Wilmette border is the future for this 501(c)3 non-profit.

So, through the summer Canal Shores is sponsoring golf clinics held at Evanston’s Fleetwood Jourdain Center to introduce the game with professionals to those who haven’t had a much experience with it.

“A lot of golf is etiquette that is used throughout life,” said Canal Shores golf pro Donnie Oelerich. “We would like people to build their personalities on the golf course. We want kids to take care of the golf course and just like in life you have to get things ready for the people going behind you.”

“Help the kids is the main thing we all like to do,” said Gene Bell, FAAM basketball program commissioner.

“All about kids playing golf,” said board member Todd Ricketts. “It’s the perfect spot for kids to be introduced to golf it’s a perfect safe place for them to hang out all summer long. Hopefully by getting involved with these youth golf programs and starting these youth golf programs we’ll even get more adults playing.”

“It’s very fun,” said Devin Jones. “You’ve got different targets to hit like the leg and the mouth is, so once you hit it you get 5,000 points and it feels really good.”

There are all kinds of camps for kids on the course and equipment is provided if needed.

For more information: http://ewcgolf.org/junior-golf/