Forest Park Youth Learning center

The Youth Learning Center will be comprised of an indoor classroom and an outdoor learning center. The indoor classroom will be equipped with the audio/visual equipment necessary to facilitate instruction in the game of golf. Plans for the outdoor learning area call for four covered practice stations equipped with video and other modern teaching aids. Also planned are a "short game" practice area, a Bermuda chipping green and a practice sand bunker. Roughly 25-30 students will be accommodated in either the indoor or outdoor classroom at any given time.

Directed by a PGA professional, the golf school will be open to all youth ages 7 to 17. Programs for all skill levels will be available, and a special effort will be made to recruit inner city children.

The program will include the history of the game, course etiquette, instruction in the grip, stance and putt, the basic swing, iron play, chipping, woods, score keeping and on-course play. Golf camps and multi-format youth tournaments also will be held at various times throughout the year as part of the Youth Training Center.

The cost of participation will be free or nominal depending on the specific lesson or clinic. After completion of the basic instruction format students will receive a "Player'Õs Card" that allows him or her to play in off-peak times for one dollar and bring a parent out to play in the evening 1 1/2 hours before dark for an additional dollar.

The Youth Training Center is expected to open in early 2003.