Junior Golf Program Tees Off at Walker Farm in Barrington

The new junior golf program of the Barrington Recreation Department teed off late Monday afternoon, July 8. It is led by Barrington teaching pro Eric Dantas.

Half-a-dozen boys and girls ages 7 to 14 were shown some fundamentals with child-size clubs and small hula-like hoops that subbed for the greens. The "course" is the Walker Farm area next to Hundred Acre Cove. The grass has been cut very short.

“I never thought that children should start learning the game until about age 12,” said Dantas. “Then I started working with my 5-year-old son. He picked it up very quickly.”

Thus came the inspiration to start the program, Dantas said.

Dantas is teaching three one-week sessions in July from 4:30 to 6 pm Monday through Friday. The mission of the program is to teach children the golf-swing fundamentals while having some fun at the same time. 

Monday’s session included a softball game – boys against the girls – that Dantas used to show the kids that a softball swing is not unlike a golf swing that relies on hip movement to generate power.