High school golfers and younger players will have an opportunityto improve their skills during the month of November at theBrookhaven Country Club. Head PGA professional Ronny Ross isencouraging area youngsters to participate.

“We would like to encourage all area golf team members toattend,” said Ross. The clinic kicks off Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 5,with a pizza party, sponsored by Cici’s. It starts at 3:30.

Lincoln County and the surrounding area feature several talentedgolfers. The Loyd Star golf team captured the Class 2A StateTournament last May. Blake Windham, Jody Britt and Chris Hester areamong the Loyd Star returnees who earned all-state honors.

Others, like Austin Mills and Grant McDonnieal of Brookhavenhave played well in the Class 4A state tournament. Craig Smith,Garrett Jackson, John Rushing and Jeffrey White of BrookhavenAcademy were among the leaders in last season’s Class AA SouthState Tournament. Leland Hinton of Wesson and Dale Sykes ofLawrence County also have shown plenty of potential in statetournaments.

Ross said he and assistant pro Jay O’Hern will work closely withthe golfers, helping them improve their individual skills. “We wantthem to work on their short game. The mental side of managing yourgame is so important.”

Ross said the instruction will concentrate on the short game,pitching, chipping and putting. “From my experience, this is thepart of the game that kids work the least on.”

The month-long clinic is open to boys and girls, age 8-18. Rossstressed that the golf instruction is not a baby-sitting clinic.”We are looking for kids who are willing to take golfseriously.”

The clinic fee is $30 for BCC members and $60 for nonmembers.

“Our community needs a strong junior golf program and I enjoyworking with the youngsters,” Ross pointed out. “I would love tohave every area high school team participate. We will havecompetitive matches during the month and award prizes.”

In the spring, during the high school golf season, participantswill enjoy the benefits derived from the additional time and workspent honing their skills in the fall.