Beginners and young players looking to enhances their skills and understanding of the game have an excellent upcoming opportunity to do so through the Mitch Duncan spring break junior golf camp.

Duncan, the head pro at Babe Zaharias who gets consistently good reviews for his instructional ability, is offering camps for juniors ages 7-13 during the March 12-15 spring break. Players will receive eight hours of instruction for $125.

Two things Duncan promises at his camps are that players will have fun and they will receive instruction in a 6-to-1 student teacher ratio. Players will be educated in the foundations of the game, as well as getting hands-on instruction in putting, chipping, pitching and sand play.

Teaching will be done both on the practice range, the putting green and the golf course. The camp will operate from 9-11 a.m. for four consecutive days.

Any parent looking to enroll a junior player should contact Duncan at 344-0205 or 722-8286.

CHIP SHOTS

Chris Stroud fans, who privately feared his career was in serious trouble coming off a down year, can seemingly heave a sigh of relief.

Despite two months of rehabbing a significant shoulder, and facing with the possibility of losing his playing card at age 37, Stroud is on a bit of a roll.

In the four tournaments since he’s returning to the tour, he’s authored back-to-back top 10s for the first time in seven years, climbed from 195 to 75 in FedEx Cup points, earned $436,271 and shown impressive tenacity while struggling at times with his driver.

By way of comparison, the PNG ex earned $565,466 all of last year.

In 15 rounds since his late start to the 2019 portion of the schedule, Stroud has carded two 66 and two 67s, been in the 60s seven times and averaged 69.7. He’ll be back in action Thursday at the Genesis Classic on historic Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California.

Andrew Landry, returning from a week off, and Shawn Stefani will give Southeast Texas a three-player contingent. …

A reminder to fans of PNG ex Braden Bailey that the Baylor senior and his Bears teammates will be 95 miles down the road Sunday, Monday and Tuesday for the University of Houston’s All-America Intercollegiate at the Golf Club of Houston. Lamar is also in the field.

Bailey, who plans to turn pro as soon as Baylor’s season ends, recently finished T12 in a star studded field of 70 players in the rain-shortened Jones Cup at Sea Island, Georgia. He shot rounds of 75-73.

For any golfer who has never seen Bailey play collegiately, or watched a college tournament, it would be a real treat to take in one of the rounds. The skill level and how far these kids hit the ball is eye-opening. Play starts at 8:30 a.m. Monday off the first and tenth tees and at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

Braden, by the way, turned 22 on Monday . . .

PNG’s Timothy Feemster continued his strong winter play in the Barbers Hill Invitational played last Friday and Saturday at Eagle Pointe Golf Club.

Feemster posted a 36-hole total of 153 (79-74) in brutal conditions that saw temperatures in the 40s, winds blowing up to 25 mph and occasional sleet.

As a team, PNG placed third at 642. Other Indians scores that counted included Dalton Shields 162 (84-78), Jason Adams 163 (82-81) and Bryce Parsley 165 (83-82). Ascension Episcopal won with a 626, edging Clear Falls by one stroke. …

Don MacNeil of Groves authored the shot of the week last Tuesday at Babe Zaharias. MacNeal, who recently turned 77, holed a 3-wood from 165-yards for an eagle 2 on the 16th hole. It was MacNeil’s second eagle on a Zaharias par 4 in three years. The shot was witnessed by Bob West. …

In the Monday Senior 50 Plus 2 ball at Zaharias the team of Ed Holley, Jimmy Cady, Charles Leard and Rufus Reyes won the front in minus 5. On the back there was a tie at minus 4 between the team of Ron LaSalle, Benny Sharp, Gary Fontentot and Bob Barnes, and the foursome of Earl Richard, Larry Reese, Casey Begeman and Dillard Darbonne. …

The Thursday 2-ball at Zaharias saw the team of Holley, Richard, Cap Hollier and Pete Reobroi score a sweep. There were minus-4 on the front and minus-2 on the back. Closest to the hole winners were Hollier (No. 7) and Rick Pritchett (No. 15). …

In Wednesday’s Babe Zaharias Dogfight there was a four-way tie for first with 14 points. Team captains were Joe Gongora, Cricket Owen, Bim Morrow and Kenny Robbins. Closest to the pin winners were Butch Cross (No. 2), Leard (No. 7, No. 15) and Holley (No. 12).

Entries are being taken for the Nederland Heritage Fesitival set for March 9 at Babe Zaharias. Entry fee for the two-person scramble is $50 per player.
There will be an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start. Call 409 722-8286 for more information.

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