The Rancho Sierra Golf Course
Fall 2008 Juniors Development Program 

This is an eight week junior golf instructional program held each Saturday from September 27th though November 8^th, 2008, led by certified golf teaching instructor John Chopp and his staff, including Sam Victor and Joshua Hudson, two very talented golfers who are experienced in working with children’s sports programs, especially golf. There are several unique and beneficial aspects of this program:

1. Because, even amoung juniors, ability, experience, and interest vary widely, there are two levels of instruction – a Beginners Level Program and Intermediate/Advanced Level Program.
2. To become an accomplished golfer, we advocate practice.  To facilitate this, by entering our program for only $15, juniors get free range use until November 15th and free unlimited course play Mondays through Saturdays until November 15th (for course play, juniors must be accompanied accompanied by a paid adult).
3. Many juniors want to learn golf, but they are busy with soccer, football, or other sports, and so they may not be able to make every session. With our Junior Development Program, you only pay for the sessions you attend.
4. The program culminates with the 2008 Rancho Sierra Junior Golf Championship, an individual 9-hole tournament held at Rancho Sierra. Juniors can participate for fun or be competitive and try to win a trophy as well as get their name on the permanent trophy. Like all sessions, the tournament is optional.

Golf is a sport that can be played for a lifetime and can never be mastered, hence its strong attraction and addictive nature. Golf teaches perseverance, humility, respect, integrity and honesty. It also helps build self esteem and confidence. It’s a great way for children to learn how to treat others, even if they are opponents. The Rancho Sierra Junior Golf Development Program presents a great opportunity for your children to learn a fantastic sport with loads of potential. Golf can be played through high school where scholarships can be earned for college. And if nothing else, golfers have had some of the most amazing experiences playing many different golf courses and meeting great people.

At Rancho Sierra Golf Course, our philosophy as golf instructors is to teach new and experienced golfers the wonderful game of golf and all of its benefits. We want your children to learn and love the game as much as we do, and above all, have FUN!

The Fall 2008 Junior Golf Development Program Program consists of two different levels:

I.       The Beginners Level Program – The beginners’ level is designed for juniors new to golf, or who have never had golf instruction or learned the correct way to hit a golf ball. Beginner sessions will be held primarily on the driving range at Rancho Sierra Golf Course. In the last two weeks of the program, students will have the opportunity to have teaching sessions on the golf course. Instruction topics will include:           

• Golf and safety
• The golf stance and grip   
• The basic swing    
• Target Alignment
• Introduction to hitting Short and Long irons         
• Introduction to Pitching and Chipping      
• Introduction to Driving     
• Putting
• Introduction to rules and etiquette

This class will have a maximum of 5 juniors per instructor.

The goal of the Beginners Level Program is to teaching juniors the proper mechanics of playing golf in a way that emphasizes positive feedback and fun! Several sessions will have fun contests where everyone can win.

The cost for the Beginners Level Program is:

II.   The Intermediate/Advanced Level Program – This level is for juniors that know how to swing a golf club and who can hit the ball at least 75 yards. We will first review the basics for juniors who are a little rusty, but quickly jump into more advanced information. A sample of the topics for this level include:

• Quick review of the basics (session 1)    
• Advanced swing topics (e.g. swing plane, half and full shots)
• Etiquette and rules
• Taking into account weather conditions - wind, rain, high rough, fast fairway, …
• Tee box strategy and tips – when to tee it up, where to tee it up, how (high) to tee it up, where to aim, …
• Getting out of trouble (trees, bad lies), including the punch shot and the flop shot          
• Using different clubs for different shots
• Sand shots (with different lies)
• Shot shaping

Intermediate/Advance Level Program enrollees may also attend the Beginners Program sessions if they desire, at no extra cost (Beginners Level Program sessions will be held immediately prior to the Intermediate/Advanced Level sessions).

We will also encourage all juniors in the Intermediate/Advanced Level Program to practice at least twice a week and to participate in the Rancho Sierra Junior Golf Championship, which will be held on Saturday, November 15^th.

This Program will be given by John Chopp and will have a maximum of five students per instructor. 

The cost for the Intermediate/Advanced Level Program is:

•  Unlimited range balls for the junior enrollee through November 15^{th, 2008}, and
• Unlimited use of Rancho Sierra Golf Course Monday through Saturday, when accompanied by paid adult through November 15^th, 2008.
• Half off entry into the 2008 Rancho Sierra Junior Golf Championship

The 2008 Rancho Sierra Adult/Junior Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2008. The tournament will be open to all juniors, not just those enrolled in the development program. However, juniors who enrolled in the Fall 2008 Junior Golf Development Program will receive half off the registration fee. Note that this is a competitive event.

To Enroll in the 2008 Rancho Sierra Junior Golf Development Program

There are three ways to enroll:

1. Visit Rancho Sierra Golf Course, fill out an enrollment form, and give it to the starter,
2. Call Rancho Sierra at 661-946-1080 and enroll over the phone, or
3. Fill out the enrollment form, fax it to the golf course at 661-964-8317 or email it to taiken@ranchosierragolf.com. 

To assure you juniors spot, please sign up quickly. If you have any questions, please call the golf course at 661-946-1080 or email John Chopp, jchopp@ranchosierragolf.com.