Mason Andersen and Brock Goyen
The word is spreading. The Friday juniors range from age 5 to 17, and the camp runs annually from November through April. It is perfect timing for the children to play in a comfortable setting while out of the heat.
The RMRCC Junior Academy has grown exponentially from last season and 400 percent since its inception in 2013. This season, there were 18 adolescents in the first week and 23 in the second week. Director of Instruction Ben Weir attributes the interest and growth to the recent successes of the participants. “When success becomes reality for people at any age, people start to listen,” Ben said.
In three years, four boys and girls from the junior academy have attained the level of state champion. A total of six students have gone on to earn major National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I golf scholarships at Arizona State University (ASU), University of New Mexico, Northern Arizona University, Michigan State University, University of Pennsylvania, California Christian College and Missouri Western State University.
Presently, the Junior Golf Academy has two high school juniors, namely, Mason Andersen and Brock Goyen, trying to decide where they wish to play in the fall of 2017. They’ve been offered 50 percent to 100 percent tuition scholarships at major universities, such as ASU, University of Arizona, Brigham Young University, University of Nevada Las Vegas, University of Washington and Grand Canyon University.
“These are life-changing decisions for the player and family,” Ben said. “I’m there every step of the way to visit schools and assist in the decisions whenever asked.”
Ben and the RMRCC Junior Golf Program currently coach two of the top five boys and four of the top five girls on the local Red Mountain High School teams. “If your child wants to play on prospective high school or college golf teams, this is undoubtedly the place to go,” said Ben.
“Training the children to learn and then retain, all while they’re having fun, is the key combination,” Ben stated. “We’re constantly figuring out newer and simpler ways compared to our competitors. We pride ourselves on staying one step ahead of the curve whenever possible,” he continued. “Maximizing the children’s learning in a respectful manner is the main goal at Red Mountain Ranch Country Club. Our unprecedented student to teacher ratio of 4-to-1 promotes such growth.”
If you are interested in learning more about the after school or summer junior programs, please contact Ben Weir at bweir@rmrcc.com, or call his cell at (602) 391-7100.