City's tennis, golf programs big hit for area youths

By the end of August, more than 200 children will have learned the basics of a backhand stroke and the finesse involved in draining a long putt.

In the third summer the city has held tennis and golf lessons, participation has exploded, increasing more than 300 percent for each program since their inception in 2008.

More than 100 children participated in the golf and summer programs last summer, and numbers are expected to remain high this year.

"I would say the numbers are good but may not reach that of last year," wrote Parks and Recreation Director Jayme M. St. Croix in an e-mailed response to Times inquiries.

About 77 people have participated in tennis this summer and another 132 in golf this summer.

"These numbers do not reflect the registration that arrived this week or will come in over the days ahead," Mr. St. Croix wrote. "When we started this program we expected two groups of 25, and as you can see we have more than met our goal."

While the four-week tennis program is almost complete, this week marks the halfway point for the golf program.

"I enjoy it, most of the kids seem to enjoy it, and it's something fun to do this time of year," said Donald Osborn, who oversees the tennis program. "We've had good participation from beginning to the end."

The tennis program includes a pair of two-week sessions that involves children ages 7 to about 15.

Mr. Osborn, a tennis instructor who has coached at Watertown High School and more recently Immaculate Heart Central School District, uses a couple of volunteers to teach lessons at Thompson Park.

"I won't turn anyone away," he said. "I mean, there's only a couple of days left, but I had a woman ask me yesterday if we daughter could sign up and I told her yes. I've watched some of them get very good over the years."

The city golf program at Watertown Golf Club at Thompson Park includes children ages ranging from 6 to 17 and will run until Aug. 17. The program included 172 participants last year, up from 59 in 2008.

"Each session offers four complete lessons taught under the guidance of Josh Woodard, University of South Carolina Golf Academy and Golf Pro at the Watertown Golf Club," Mr. St. Croix wrote. "Ironically enough, Josh's grandmother was the long service secretary for the Watertown Parks and Recreation Department retiring in the early 1980s. His father also worked for while with Parks and Recreation."

Both programs cost $5 for city residents and $20 for non-city residents.

"I heard many of the golfing and tennis parents say what a nice affordable opportunity these programs are," Mr. St. Croix wrote. "We have had many compliments on the programs and some of from grandparents who take their grandchildren. In return I hope to see children golfing with seniors or playing tennis."

Sign-up information, along with a full roster of summer recreation programs the city provides can be found on the city's website at: www.watertown-ny.gov/index.asp?NID=120.