Lombard to give golfers taste of coming season

Don't know what a divot is, much less what to do with one? Or what a bunker has got to do with golf?

Lombard Park District will give you the chance this weekend to find out all you need to know about golf, or at least some of basics, at its open house Saturday, March 21, at its Western Acres Golf Course, 2400 W. Butterfield Road. The free extravaganza, which will be from 10 a.m. to noon, will feature several golf-related activities.

Festivities will include prizes, contests, raffles, workshops, refreshments, golf etiquette and rules, club fitting, games, practice for all ages, the driving range and putting greens, tours and more.

Among the highlights is more information on the district's Sticks for Kids program.

Lombard was among 125 agencies across the country to receive a $1,200 grant, chosen from 300 applications. The grant, provided by the National Recreation and Park Association and Golf Course Builders Association of America, provides equipment package of 10 sets of junior golf clubs, programming materials, bag tags and skills cards.

The goal is to provide the needed tools to incorporate a hands-on golf experience in after-school activities, sports camps, programs, community events, as well as for physical education programs in school.

The grant will enable Western Acres to offer free youth club rentals, while supplies last, throughout the season. The course also offers a variety of programs and events geared toward teaching kids, ages 6 and older, about the game of golf.

"This program is an excellent forum to introduce youth to physical activity, appreciate nature and provide an opportunity to learn a lifetime sport," according to program organizers.

Western Acres Golf Course, the park district's 9-hole, par-35 golf course, stretches over 3,000 yards at 2400 W. Butterfield Road. With its gently sloping greens with sand and water hazards, Western Acres offers players of all ages and ability levels a challenging golf experience, the park district boasts.

For more information, or to register for a program visit www.westernacres.com or call (630) 469-6768.