Junior golfers hone skills through summer program

RUSSELLVILLE — A young generation of golfers teed off this summer at Twin Pines Country Club, thanks to a local effort to create opportunities for children to learn, play and fall in love with the game.

The inaugural “Twin Pines Future Champions” junior golf program brought together families, volunteers and 26 eager young players for a grassroots experience that organizers hope will take root and grow in Franklin County.

The program was held each Tuesday in June, except for one day that was canceled because of rain. It welcomed children ages 4 to 12 and grouped them by age. They played shortened three-hole rounds on an adapted course designed to not be intimidating. About 21 kids attended each week.

John Seal led the effort. Seal, a father and longtime golfer, modeled the format after his own formative experiences in the BJ Bullington Junior Golf Camp held at Twin Pines during his youth.

“That was my first experience with competitive golf,” Seal said. “But even then, most junior tournaments started around age 12. I wanted something that younger kids, even fourand five-year-olds, could participate in, just to get them started playing and learning.”

Seal said the idea had been in his mind since the previous year. In January, he approached Donnie Walker, owner of Twin Pines, with the concept. Walker was immediately on board.

“He knows the future of golf in this area matters to the course,” Seal said. “This benefits the kids, the families and the club. It gets people out there and builds something for the next generation.”

Seal received help from his wife, Rachel, in coordinating the event and from Jason Murray, who volunteered to assist with the older age group.

The $40 entry fee covered a dry-fit shirt and a trophy for each child. Seal emphasized that the program wasn’t about profit, noting every dollar went back into creating a welcoming, meaningful experience.

The goal, Seal said, was to help kids realize that golf could be a lifelong sport, either as a primary passion or a secondary one.

“Golf can be your main sport, or it can be your third sport, but it’s something you can play the rest of your life,” he said. “It’s social, it’s challenging, and it teaches you to be independent and focused. I’ve played with people as young as 14 and as old as 75.”

Seal’s son, Lee Charles Seal, participated in the youngest group. He was one of several children who looked forward to the weekly events and came away eager to play more.

Joshlyn and Cody Bowen’s 9-year-old daughter, Alivia, took part.

“She’s had a club in her hand since she could walk,” Cody Bowen said. “She’s competitive, she loves being outside and she was all in when she heard some of her friends were doing it.”

Bowen, who played in the BJ Bullington program alongside Seal years ago, said this new effort hit all the right notes.

“It was really cool. It wasn’t intimidating. The holes were shortened, and it was set up just right for their size and age. You could see improvement week to week.”

Alivia Bowen tees off during the junior golf program this summer.
CONTRIBUTED/CODY BOWEN

Alivia said her favorite club was the driver “because it goes really far,” though she admitted putting was the trickiest part.

“You have to line it up and hit it just right,” she said.

She said she was nervous on the first day, but in the end, she really liked having people watch her play.

“I loved getting a trophy,” she added. “I was excited to put it up in my room.”

One of her favorite memories involved a promise from her dad on the green.

“My dad said he would jump in the pond beside the green if I made my putt and I almost made it,” she said with a laugh.

Will Bragwell, another local parent, enrolled his sons, Waylon, 6, and Nolan, 4, in the program.

“It was great for me to see my kids enjoying something that’s brought me so much joy,” Bragwell said. “Golf has taught me life lessons, helped me make friends, even business connections.”

Bragwell, who has played for over 20 years, said he noticed real improvement in his older son’s swing and focus.

“On two of the three holes, Waylon hit the ball better than he ever has,” he said. “I think it helped that he had a buddy to play with. He was really locked in.”

He praised the structure of the event.

“It was laid-back, kidfriendly — just find someone to play with and go. It couldn’t have been better.”

Seal said the program is expected to return next June with plans to expand the format. He hopes it will encourage more participation in local school golf programs and give rural families a way to access a sport that can otherwise feel out of reach.

“Rural areas just don’t have as many golf opportunities,” he said. “This gives kids something local, affordable and fun. And you never know, you might just launch the next generation of great golfers right here.”