Area Youth Treated to PGA Golf Clinic

Twin brothers Kane and McKay Siebold of Johns Creek were just learning to walk when the PGA Tour last landed at the Atlanta Athletic Club in 2001.

And the thought back then of a Johns Creek cityhood was but a glint in the mind’s eye of many North Fulton County residents who for decades carried a Duluth address halved by the Chattahoochee River at the Gwinnett County line.

What the span of a decade can do.

The Siebolds, now 11, stood tall and swung straight while the city of Johns Creek’s shining moment officially arrived Monday morning with its hosting this week of the 93rd PGA Championship.

The PGA Championship is the only all-professional major and features 20 PGA Club Professionals. And the 93rd PGA Championship features the strongest field in golf.

It currently includes 100 of the top 102 ranked players in the world. There are 14 PGA champions and 30 major champions currently in the field.

“This is pretty cool,” said Kane Siebold, a little league baseball player and aspiring football defensive cornerback after taking one-on-one tee swings under the tutelage of a PGA Section Professional. “It’s fun but it’s hard because I want to try to swing the golf club like I do a baseball bat.”

The Siebolds were among about 150 youths from across metro Atlanta that participated Monday morning at off Old Alabama Road during a three-hour private golf clinic and trick shot show.

The event was hosted by The PGA of America and PGA Sports Academy, an outreach program held in conjunction with the Tour. Following the clinic, participants were shuttled to the Atlanta Athletic Club to watch the pro golfers during practice rounds.

All participants received golf instruction from some 30 Georgia PGA Section Professionals.

Some youth golfers got in from their parents’ PGA credentials, while a larger field was selected from various charities that work with sick or underpriviledged children.

Holden Russell, 16, and his dad, Mike Russell, of Kennesaw, participated on behalf of Atlanta-based Brain Tumor Foundation For Children, a not-for-profit that helps families and children affected by pediatric brain tumor disease.

Holden, a rising junior at Kennesaw Mountain High School and childhood brain tumor survivor, said he plans to try out for the varsity baseball team this season. He thought the golf clinic would help him with his eye-hand coordination. And it certainly couldn’t hurt, he said.

“It can really help you learn how to hit the ball better,” said Holden. “In baseball you’ve got to really watch the ball.”

Prior to the youth clinic breakouts, attendees were entertained by trick shot golfer and motivational speaker Dennis Walters of Jupiter, Fla., and his impeccably trained terrier mix dog and sidekick “Mr. Bucky”.

Paralyzed from the waist down, Walters, a 2008 PGA Distingushied Service Award Winner, delivered an hour-long motivational monologue while driving balls from tees using a specially designed swivel harness attached to his custom golf cart.

With help from assistant and caddy Tom Smith, Walters drives with precision his custom golf balls with “Mr. Bucky” imprints while employing various custom drivers - including one made from a radiator hose and Walters’ favorite, a triple-headed 3 iron that drives balls hit simultaneously at various lengths to get nearest the pin.

“Never let anyone tell you can’t do something,” Walters said as he recounted an accident in 1974 that ended his pro golfing aspirations.

But Walters emphasizes positive thinking and focus - a prevailing outlook that defines and separates the greatest golfers in the world from all the rest.

“Dream is a word I think you should think about every single day of your life,” Walters said between tee shots. “ A real dream is having a positive thought in your head … and making it work out.”

Will Reilly, PGA Of America junior golf development manager, sees the youth clinics not only as a way to get youth involved in the sport, but also as a way to instill long-term athletic development in participants - on and off the links.  

“And that’s the great thing about it,” Reilly said. “It brings all kinds of kids together in a great setting outdoors. And what they take away from it is ‘wow, that was a great experience.’”