This past tournament in Biolxi, I was asked to do the Junior Clinic for over 300 children. They were great, attentive and full of enthusiasm. Our future leaders remind me how simple and wonderful life is. It was my pleasure to be in their presence, not to mention hosting the clinic with Bobby Clampett. Later in the week I was honored to play with the mayor of Gautier, Tommy Fortenberry and founder of the golf tournament Anthony Topazi from Southern Company.
Read the Full Story from Sun Herald!
Beck knows how to work the crowd
GAUTIER — Wow! That’s how one of kids from the Boys and Girls Club described a Chip Beck sand wedge shot at the The Bacot/McCarty Foundation and IP Resort & Spa Junior Clinic at Shell Landing Golf Club. When Bobby Clampett smashed a driver within feet of his target, “ooohs” and “aaaahs” flooded the range that Davis Love, III designed.
Wow! That’s what all the parents said when Beck coerced Clampett to hit the ground to do 20 push-ups. The kids loved it and cheered on the duo that played junior golf together.
Todd Trenchard and Jon Lucas couldn’t have chosen better ambassadors for junior golf, the Mississippi Gulf Coast and life lessons. The Executive Director of the Bacot/McCarty Foundation and the President and GM of the IP Resort & Spa were all smiles under blue skies in Jackson County.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Trenchard as he pointed to 300 kids who were gobbling up every word the two Champions Tour players were offering. “This is what our sponsors want to see.” He must have been referring to the sea of orange tee shirts the kids wore. It looked like a Rickie Fowler Fan Club.
Lucas agreed, “To see these kids who have never played golf have so much fun is just marvelous. We are so proud to be a part of this.” Beck began playing golf because his mother took him to a junior clinic just like this one. The next Bubba Watson might have been wearing an orange tee shirt yesterday.
Beck and Clampett chipped away at life lessons before they ever hit a shot. “When I was 11 years old, I sliced a shot off the range and heard it break a window,” Clampett said. “I told the lady, ‘I hit a ball and it hit your house.’”
His lesson was simple: “You gotta be honest.” She was so happy that she offered the 2-time California Amateur Champion another glass of orange juice.
He continued teaching the importance of right and wrong, “I’ve known Chip Beck since I was your age. Do you know how many times I’ve seen him throw a club? ZERO!” He made a demonstrative big zero with his fingers.
Beck talked about the importance of school and education. “The mind always outperforms the body,” he lectured. “Only 23% of Americans get a college degree.” He stressed the importance of staying in school.
Out came the clubs. We could have hung laundry on Beck’s shots. Clampett missed hitting a target 300 yards away by a few feet. Beck’s shots were every bit as solid as they were when he made 13 birdies and shot 59 in the Las Vegas Invitational. Clampett looked as young as he did when he was low amateur in the US Open and Masters.
They soon gave way to the local golf professionals who were eager to lend a hand. “The smiles on the children from the Boys and Girls Club, when they hit the ball made my day,” said Grand Bear pro Mike Buckley.
“The kids were so well behaved,” added Windance Director of Golf David Lee.
Host Kenny Hughes agreed, “I was very impressed how well the kids listened to Chip and Bobby throughout the clinic.” Several of the kids asked questions and offered comments that only kids could supply. The future for junior golf on the Gulf Coast looks bright.
