WAILUA — Allen Koerte and Travis Toguchi have a pretty good six-week summer gig. The two teen golfers are working as golf coaches for one of the County of Kaua‘i’s youth summer programs at the Wailua Golf Course. “It gets
WAILUA — Allen Koerte and Travis Toguchi have a pretty good six-week summer gig. The two teen golfers are working as golf coaches for one of the County of Kaua‘i’s youth summer programs at the Wailua Golf Course.
“It gets me out from watching TV,” said Koerte, 17.
Yesterday, the Kaua‘i High School golfer took a small group of kids to shoot a few holes on the course, then took them to practice their putting.
“I get to be out and practice. That’s what I like the most,” Koerte said.
Toguchi, on the other hand, almost didn’t take the job.
“I wasn’t planning on working,” said Toguchi, 17. “But this is fun. I like trying to help (the kids) learn to play. Hopefully, they’ll turn pro one day.”
The former Kapa‘a High School golf standout admitted that had he not taken the job teaching the game of golf, he would’ve been sleeping or hanging out at the beach. But he’s glad to get out.
“My favorite part is going out on the course and playing with the kids,” he said. “This is where I started out — with Larry Lee. There were a lot of kids coming out. This is my way of giving back to the program.”
So far, the program averages 23 young golfers a week. There were three sessions scheduled for this summer from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., between June 12 to July 20.
The golfers are split into groups and rotate working on four different stations: putting, chipping, driving and playing on the course.
They are currently in their second session.
“The sessions are all pretty full,” said coordinator Glenn Tamagawa, who also runs the Wailua Golf Course Pro Shop.
This is Tamagawa’s second year working the golf sessions. He said these programs and the sport are extremely popular. Last year, the sessions were open to golfers ages 8 to 12.
This year, the sessions have been opened to cater to a wider range of golfers, 7 to 14 years old. He’s seen a handful of repeat session attendees.
“This year it’s a lot easier. They pay attention more,” Tamagawa said.
Having teen golfers like Koerte and Toguchi also make running the golf sessions a lot easier.
“It’s a great help having them here,” Tamagawa said. “That way, we can take kids out on the golf course. I can’t take care of these kids all by myself. This way, the kids don’t get bored waiting around for their turn to go out.”
Travis Girard, a first-time golfer whose younger brother Nick is also an attendee, was anything but bored while playing a few holes. The 8 year old has been attending the sessions five times a week and said he wants to start playing golf more often with his father, Duane. Like Koerte and Toguchi, Girard is using this session to stay productive.
“I’m having fun,” said Girard, who later said that these sessions could possibly help him beat his father on the course.
“I almost did, but then I didn’t beat him,” Girard said. “I was chipping and putting, but I didn’t beat him.”
The final golf sessions start July 9.
For more information or to check for open spots, call the Wailua Golf Course Pro Shop at 246-2793.
• Lanaly Cabalo, sports editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.
