YREKA – It may not be Torrey Pines, but nestled deep within “The Pines,” at the south end of Yreka, 26 young golfers are learning the basics that one day may help land them at the more famous golf course. The youngsters are attending the Siskiyou Family YMCA’s beginning–intermediate golf camp.

Run by the YMCA’s Senior Program Director, Scott Eastman, the camp has been in existence for six years, and has grown in popularity each year. Last year, the United States Golf Association became involved.

“It really took off last year, when we got $2200 worth of funding from the USGA. It allowed us to actually pay our instructors, as opposed to them basically volunteering,” said Eastman. “This year, the USGA stepped it up and gave us $2800. What they want to see is us continue to try to get the numbers (of participants) increased, which obviously we’re doing, with 26 kids this year.”

The USGA also would like to see the YMCA create a connection to local golf courses and junior programs.

“They have made a commitment to where I would see them continuing to fund us for some time, as long we continue to show an increase in numbers and need.”

Joining Eastman as instructors at the camp are Dean Turner and Kevin Alexander. Turner has been with the camp since the beginning, and is the coach for Yreka High School’s golf club. Turner hopes to move golf from a club sport to an official school sport at YHS. (more…)