Creston students take a swing at golf
Teacher Teresa Mumm works with sixth-grader Madolynn Bowman during a golf program at Creston School on Wednesday, Dec. 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Sixth-grader Andy Tikka works on his putting skills during a golf program at Creston School.
Fifth-grader Dillon Wink lines up a putt.
Teacher Teresa Mumm works with fourth-grader Elijah Goodson during a golf program at Creston School on Wednesday. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Teacher Teresa Mumm talks to her sixth-graders about the fundamentals of putting during a golf program at Creston School on Wednesday, Dec. 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Sixth-grader Madolynn Bowman works on her putting skills during a golf program at Creston School on Wednesday, Dec. 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Sixth-grader Madolynn Bowman works on her putting skills during a golf program at Creston School on Wednesday, Dec. 11. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
On Wednesday during Physical Education class, Creston School fourth-graders were divided up into partners and designated as caddies or golfers.
“OK, go,” P.E. teacher Teresa Mumm instructed after going over stances and safety rules.
Scrambling to the middle of the gym, caddies took their place in “safety hoops” laid on the floor. Golfers placed tennis-style balls onto tee mats bordered by red arrows pointing them in the right direction to hit the middle of numbered rectangle targets not far in front of them.
With a thumbs-up sign from caddies and golfers, players took swings with putters that, although they were specially designed for children learning how to play, had weight to them. Balls rolled across the gym floor where they stuck to the Velcro surface of the targets. Then the role of caddie and golfer switched.
Nearby, another group of students formed lines behind bulls-eye targets laid on the floor. Students took turns tossing the balls underhand with the goal of hitting the center of the target. Mumm said the activity is a progression to golf chipping, where students will learn to take full swings with wedges, a heavier and wider club.
“We are always checking for safety and taking small steps before we put equipment in their hands,” Mumm said.
The golfing unit is a learning experience for both students and teacher. Mumm said this is the first time she has taught golf in the nine years teaching. Except for miniature golf, Mumm said this is her first foray into the game of golf. It wasn’t until she found out about a national nonprofit called The First Tee through a social media group of teachers. She looked into it and discovered the organization’s aim is to introduce the golf to children and teens. She discovered The First Tee National School Program packaged everything she would need to know to teach golf and signed up the school.
The program also teaches nine core values. One value, which Mumm went over with students earlier, is courtesy.
“Golf is a very quiet, courteous game,” Mumm said to students, “so that players can be focused and can concentrate.”
The program was possible through a $4,000 grant through The First Tee, which went toward equipment, lesson plans and online teacher training. She said lessons are designed for different grade levels beginning with the basics.
“Not very many, but a few students have golfed before,” Mumm said.
One of those students was fourth-grader Gabriella Brackel, who said she has played golf with her grandparents. Adjusting her stance, she looked over to partner Elijah Goodson, giving the thumbs-up signal.
“Golf is fun,” Brackel said with a smile before taking a swing.
Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.