Long Beach youth golf league teaching teamwork first

LONG BEACH >> The United States Golf Local Leagues is a one-of-a-kind youth sports organization. The game of golf may be built on individual accomplishments, but the dedicated group of volunteers and parents of the Long Beach affiliate are teaching a team-first attitude that is producing a better experience, and better golfers.

“We’re about teamwork, respect and integrity while actively teaching these kids the game of golf, including the rules and etiquette,” USGLL president and creator Kevin Flanagan said. “They’re not in front of the video games, they’re at the golf course with their shirts tucked in.”

The 70 young golfers from ages 6-14 will be back at Recreation Park 9 Golf Course today for the eighth aual championship round. Tee times start around noon, and the Tour Championship will be on the line at 3 p.m. when the Stingrays and Beachcombers battle for the crown. Each team has five young golfers, and just like the entire season, they will crown a champion with the match-play format like the Ryder Cup, where teamwork is paramount.

“It’s really good for begiers,” LBGLL golfer Andrew Hoekstra, 14, said of match play. “You can help each other as teammates, and it can be a stepping stone to other touaments.”

“There’s more pressure in match play,” LBGLL golfer Sebastian Vallejo, 13, added. “I have an advantage (in other individual touaments) if my opponent hasn’t played like we do.”

After years of working as a local golf instructor, Flanagan saw wasteful youth golf programs everywhere. In October 2007, C.J. Heessey, Frank Jordan and Keith Davis joined him to put together a plan for the Long Beach Golf Commission. The first 10-week schedule for the USGLL was in full swing by the spring of 2008. The 2016 total enrollment is up by almost 20 percent from last season.

“We’re out here creating a cool golf experience,” LBGLL president Marc Sullivan said. “The behavior and maturity of our kids on the course is better than ever.”

After the regular season concludes today, the Long Beach All-Stars will start preparing for the seventh USGLL National Championship at the Vestal Hills Country Club in Binghamton, N.Y.

Along with strong sponsorships from The Port of Long Beach and Farmers & Merchants Bank, the LBGLL family has already started fundraising to send the All-Star team across country. On July 24, the LBGLL is hosting a shotgun touament where kids and their families will be cooking up original hamburger recipes for sale.

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On any given Saturday or Sunday at Rec Park 9, LBGLL golfers will be at par-3 third hole. For a $5 donation, anyone on the course can challenge the youngsters to a closest-to-the-pin competition. Wiers will receive a sleeve of golf balls.

“We don’t give many (sleeves) away,” LBGLL Director of Coaches Steve Hoekstra said of the competition. “Our kids can really play.”

The public is invited to watch the golfers tee off today, and the LBGLL is accepting any donations. Read more tomorrow about the Tour Championships and some local golfers who are better for their USGLL experience.