Elks' Hook a Kid on Golf continues to thrive
(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) Pictured from left to right are Kurt Schimkowitsch, Michael Papagni, Avery Beard, Miller Ely, Nathan Matt, Grace Matt, Isabel Bostock, Macy Crabtree, Avery Edmundson and Erika Edmumdson on Friday during their final day at the Elks.
(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) Avery Beard, left, and Kurt Schimkowitsch have fun putting on the practice green on Friday at the Elks.
3rd annual Don Leen Memorial Tournament on tap July 22
By ERIC PLUMMER
Sports editor
SANDPOINT — Youth golf in Sandpoint is as strong as ever, and a lot of that success can be attributed to the Elks Hook a Kid on Golf program, which on Friday wrapped up the first of two one-week sessions for this season.
The Sandpoint Elks started the free program seven years ago after an initial $10,000 grant, and it has remained both popular and fruitful, as scores of local kids continue to play the game through junior high, high school and beyond.
This year 11 kids per session will get a free set of clubs, a week of instruction to learn the rules and improve, and most of all, a new love for the lifetime sport. Once the kids finish the program, they can also come back and keep playing for free, sinking the namesake hook in even further.
Mary Stevens is one of the driving forces behind the successful program. She was there on Friday making sure everything was running smoothly and the kids were having fun.
“The first time I played with the kids I whiffed,” recalled Stevens with a smile. “I turned around and told them ‘do you know what a whiff is? It costs you a stroke.’”
Stevens has helped the program continue thrive by raising funds, literally one dollar at a time. She set a personal goal of raising $500 by asking for $1 each from people. One of the parents gave her $150, so she’s well on her way.
Seeing former participants excelling at the high school level confirms to Stevens that the program is working.
“I realized of the five kids from Bonner County that went to state, three of them went through this program, from Sandpoint, Clark Fork and Priest River,” said Stevens, alluding to Lake Wilks, Brooke Stevens and Max Salesky, respectively. “To me that is exciting. That’s the biggest thrill, seeing the kids follow through.”
The program also got a substantial boost three years ago when the family of Don Leen donated $3,000 to help youth golf at the Elks, per his wishes after passing away.
Leen grew up in Sandpoint, and both the Elks and youth golf were near and dear to his heart. He was an avid golfer, earning the nickname “Sweet Swinging Don Leen.” Local Dan Hull remembers Leen and his brothers spending a lot of time at the popular 9-hole Elks track through the years.
“His request was to use the money for youth golf,” claimed Hull. “Don grew up here, learned how to play golf and worked out here. He was kind of attached to it.”
The 3rd annual Don Leen Memorial Tournament will be held on Sunday, July 22 with the kids teeing off at 9 a.m. at the Elks, followed by the adult tournament teeing off at 1 p.m. The adult tournament is open to anyone who wants to attend. Cost for the adults is a $30 donation to the tourney, with all proceeds going back into Hook a Kid on Golf.
For more information, call the Elks at 208-263-4321.