SAN JACINTO – There are more children who want to learn to play golf than there are volunteers to teach them. The Grandfathers for Golf summer program at Golden Era Golf Course in San Jacinto has a waiting list of children who want to learn golf. Why? Because there are not enough volunteers to help the children with golf. Interested individuals don’t have to be a golfer to be a volunteer and are only needed for two hours, one day a week.
Grandfathers for Golf has made the game of golf available to children who would probably never set foot on a golf course, and they have been doing this for more than 25 years. There is no cost to the parents. Donations are accepted but not required. When a child comes to the program, they get a free set of golf clubs along with a golf shirt and hat. `
Hundreds of children have gone through the Grandfathers for Golf program and many have gone on to be on the school golf teams. Several have received golf scholarships, and a few have gone on to be golf pros.
Tony Viola, president of Grandfathers for Golf says, ”I run into kids who say, ‘Mr. Viola do you remember me?’ And I say ‘Sure,’ even though, when I knew them, they were a lot smaller than they are now.”
David Hiemenz, the vice president of Grandfathers for Golf, said, “I had my Grandfathers for Golf shirt on when I went into a store and I ran into a young man who stopped me to tell me he used to be in Grandfathers and how much he appreciated it and enjoyed it. That made my day. That’s what we are all about.”
Ask any of the volunteers why they do this and they will tell you that being a volunteer with Grandfathers is a rewarding experience. The children have fun with this game and keep coming back to learn more. Plus the volunteers are welcome to golf the Golden Era Golf Course after the children are done.
Volunteers also have a weekly golf tournament at various courses in the Hemet/San Jacinto area.
Individuals interested in joining this great group and volunteering for the Grandfathers for Golf program, or are interested in getting their child into the program, can call Tony Viola at 909-754-4148 or go onto the website, http://www.grandfathersforgolf.org.
