Junior golf camps at The Ridge at Castle Pines North
Former golf campers have a ball while playing the course at The Ridge at Castle Pines North.
By Elean Gersack with photo by Terri Wiebold
Dennis Murray, PGA pro and director of instruction at The Ridge at Castle Pines North (The Ridge) is set to offer junior golf camps, along with a multitude of other instruction options this summer. With a big smile, a great attitude, and a true love of the game, Murray’s approach is all about having fun.
Murray, who has been playing golf with enthusiasm since age 13, received a scholarship to play at Florida State back when disco was king. Fast forward several decades and Murray has enjoyed more than his share of championships, course records, and teaching positions. All formalities aside, Murray is a down-to-earth guy, who happens to be a great golfer simply wanting to share his passion for the game with others.
“Golf is a game of a lifetime. You can start when you are six and still play at 96,” boasts Murray. He notes that young learners pick up the game more quickly since they just want to swing the club instead of over-thinking the game. “Beginners and children learn best through imitation, which is a more fun and effective way of learning and developing skills in sports,” adds Murray.
Murray teams up with his wife Gail for the youth camps. “She is a very petite 4′ 11″ which makes her very popular with the young girls – many of whom are taller than she is,” notes Murray about his “Mrs. Pro.” Utilizing his Uncomplicated Golf program, the two keep it simple. “It’s amazing how quickly kids can learn to swing a golf club,” adds Murray.
The camps focus on the fundamentals and etiquette as well as patience and good sportsmanship. In June and July, youth golf camps are planned each week for children aged six to nine and 10 to 14. The three-day camps include one hour of instruction per day for the younger children and two hours per day for the older crew. The cost is $100 and $200, respectively, and includes clubs, if needed, at no additional cost.
Junior Coaches Club memberships, with punch cards for clinics and individual lessons, are also available. The Ridge is offering a “Kids Play Free” program, where after 3 p.m., kids play for free when accompanied by a paying adult. During their play, kids can try out new Callaway Junior Demo Sets.
In addition to the great youth programs, Murray offers beginning ladies clinics, group instruction, and private instruction for all ages.
For more information about all of the golf instruction programs at The Ridge, visit www.playtheridge.com and click on “Golf Instruction” or call 303-688-4301. The Ridge at Castle Pines North is located at 1414 Castle Pines Parkway in the City of Castle Pines.
