The two most-significant obstacles to kids learning life's lessons through golf and organized, social, fun golf programs are ACCESS and AFFORDABILITY!!! Recently, I visited a club where my daughter was welcome to play by herself (she's nine, by the way) but if I wanted to carry her clubs and ensure she kept moving along, I was told the strict policy is to have any parents also pay the adult green fee - even if they have no intention of playing - no clubs - no shoes - those things are for sale and for rent, as required (sound like sincere intentions to develop junior golf or a few extra bucks - anyway, as you can imagine, my nine-year old was no longer interested in going back for my stuff, so we went somewhere else). Now, I get that courses can't have walkers during busy times or on big, tough courses - they might get hurt and the liability is on the club - so they insist that fees are paid to assume this risk. Fair enough. But if it's 7pm on the par 3 and no one else is on the course, why can't Mom or Dad walk along with their nine-year old? I mean, c'mon...
Anyway, our mandate at the Learning Centre is to promote junior golf. Aggressively! So, walk with your nine-year-old at Black Diamond anytime you choose. If you, as a parent want to play with them, check in and learn that if you choose to play, any child of fourteen or younger will play and ride in your cart for free. Now that is a significant method of developing parent/child golf outings, no?
But further to this, we know that the access piece is even more preventative for the less-fortunate families in our area. We are out of Peterborough by a few klicks - but that won't stop our friend Darlene Evans from coming up with a creative solution. How about a bus partner? Why not take sixteen kids from families who deserve a break to a full-week golf camp at Black Diamond? Perfect. Access granted. But what about the tuition for a full week camp? Fair market value for an excusive eight-hour, five-day golf camp is out of reach for most single-parent families or (gulp) former GM employees trying to scrape by with jobs they never imagined they would ever have to do - pensions gone or reduced significantly - these families in Peterborough and the Kawarthas deserve a break. So? Mr. Stalteri and I came up with a plan. We'll foot the bill for the whole camp - eight boys, eight girls. Darlene will know how to select them - for their contributions and efforts. Kids who deserve this experience - kids with no access or ability to afford a camp like this.
We are proud to work with the great people at Big Brothers and Big Sisters in Peterborough and the surrounding areas. I grew up here. I was a little brother. It may have brought me here, to this place - doing what I love. And so, we give a little back. Time, access, learning and laughs. Sunscreen, bottled water, snacks and learning, through 'osmosis'. Self-esteem is the reward.
On Saturday, May 22nd, on an otherwise grey and dreary day, the partnership between Black Diamond and Big Brothers and Sisters of Peterborough was formed with a humble presentation of gift certificates for sixteen deserving "littles" to come and experience golf - at it's most awesome and memorable level. Our special thanks to Darlene Eveans, Executive Director, who came on a Saturday with no hesitation. Rather than send someone on her behalf, she came in person and accepted our offer, allowing us to take a few pictures as we cut the banner to kick off our season at the Black Diamond Golf Club & Learning Centre. This is an exciting partnership, to be sure.
We may not look like much now, but give us ten years. You might just see a kid from our Big Brothers & Sisters gang go on to compete as an Olympic competitor with a chance to bring gold home for golf in Canada. Stranger things have happened. And we're ready to help anyone realize their biggest and best dreams! Especially, the most-deserving, who otherwise may never have an opportunity to go to golf camp. We will welcome them in a special way and keep you posted.
Visit soon! We are off & running. We'll cure your slice in 15 minutes and change your golfing lives forever. (Or happily, give you your money back...). You have it in writing. FORE!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Learning Centre Grand Opening May 22nd
Well, Mother's Day at our place featured family and friends and exceptional cuisine. The weather was a little cool but at did not stop the golfers from coming and braving the elements.
Our next big thing is the Grand Opening of our Learning Centre on May 22nd from Noon until 2pm with golf & power cart with free instruction for all registered attendeed for only $10 per person!!! Join us for a planned cheque presentation as we award a local charity just shy of $5,500 at our putting green and ask them to help us cut the ribbon at the truly committed club for development of future Olympians (were you aware that golf will again be an Olympic sport in the coming years?) - dream big, kids - we're here to help you develop according to a long-term plan with goals that require work but -- said goals are not to be unattainable - they are to be measurable and evaluation of progress then becomes objective.
Join us on May 22nd - or don't. But I warn you, we only do this once and it will be an event.
Black Diamond Learning Centre - where we do our best to change people's golfing lives, accoding to our client's goals, objectives and time constraints.
Black Diamonds rare gems, indeed. As are committed, decisive plans for goal achievement. Get one. We can help.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Mother's Day Free Golf Clinics and Special Offers
At Black Diamond, we know that Mothers make the world go round - even more so than golf (yikes - that is sayin' sumthin', am I right, golfers? Can I get a "Amen" for the Moms, people?)...
From 10am until 2pm on Sunday, May 9th, visit Black Diamond Golf Club where Moms and their childen can enjoy a four-hour FREE (that's right - I said it - as in... no $$$!!!) short game clinic at our beautifully-kept, hilltop, undulating, smooth and true practice putting surface - just outside of the clubhouse. Our putting green is the crown jewel of the practice facilities and features more opportunities to learn and grow as a golfer than any other amenity of the Learning Centre. More than 70% of all shots are hit from inside 100 yards - get this - for the average golfer. So, if you fall into the 'novice' category, that number might even be closer to 90%!
In short (pardon the pun get it? short game?), practicing and learning from two feet, then four, then ten, then thirty - eventually moving off the green to 'chip' (as in, fly a little, roll a lot) from five yards, then ten, then thirty (you get the picture) is the most-effective way to shave strokes from your score and build the most-important weapon of all... confidence. Golf is a game of confidence. If you don't believe it, then I suggest you get a copy of "Golf is a Game of Confidence" as well as "Golf is not a Game of Perfect", both by Dr. Robert Rotella - mental coach to the best of the best PGA Tour players. Or, for those literary 'lions', might I suggest Dave Pelz's "Short Game Bible" (about the size of War & Peace but full of scientific information about the most important part of one's game - absolutely perfect read for those 'analytical' types - Dave Pelz was literally a rocket scientist with Nasa before he decided to follow golfers, collect data and present his findings in a factual and accurate account).
And, after getting inspired at the free short game clinics, by all means, take advantage of our unbelievable golf & cart specials for Mom without busting open the piggy bank or borrowing on that trust account again (kidding - sense of humour, people) - only $25 anytime that day for Mom to golf using a power cart for 18 memorable Mother's Day holes.
Before or after the game, (la piece de resistance, mes amis)...$14.99 gets your Mom a most-amazing culinary experience in our beautiful Black Diamond dining hall - a setting that few would dispute exudes comfort and elegance. The menu options are exceptionally-priced to remain synonymous with the value we are becoming renowned for - our hope is that you will join us and our families for the entire day.
And to tantilize your taste buds, the menu looks like this:
The first course features our delectible Beef Vegetable Soup and fresh Caesar Salad
Then, bring on your choice of entree; (Choice of one of the following)
Poached Salmon topped with Hollandaise sauce, served with rice pilaf and mixed vegetables
Or...
Chicken Tuscany - a 'plump' chicken breast, stuffed with sundried tomatoes, cheese and prosciutto, served with rice pilaf and mixed vegetables
And for dessert;
Strawberry Short Cake (mmmmmmmmmm)!!!
Hungry yet? And for kids, for a mere $7.99, they can have their choice of either Pizza or Chicken Fingers & Fries - with vanilla ice cream for dessert!!
Seating starting at 11:30 am until 5pm
Call 705.932.4653, ext 1 to book your reservations
(As per usual, taxes and gratuities are not included - but you knew that already).
On a side note, remember our increasingly-popular May Special; featuring Golf, Power Cart, 2 BBQ meals and sleeve of golf balls $55 Monday through Friday and $58 on weekends and holidays. Exceptional value and then some, no?
So? Any excuses not to treat Mom to a memorable day for minimal investment? We thought, not. Remember to show up for the free short game clinic for Moms and Kids fom 10 am until 2 pm and then $25 for golf & cart, all day long.
See you at Black Diamond on Mother's Day - and again, we strongy urge you to reserve your table today as we are filling fast in certain times and would hate for you to miss out on such an exceptional opportunity to enjoy a family outing that will be one for the FaceBook albums...
Happy Mother's Day from all of us at Black Diamond Golf Club and Learing Centre!!!
www.blackdiamondgolfclub.ca/instruction.html
From 10am until 2pm on Sunday, May 9th, visit Black Diamond Golf Club where Moms and their childen can enjoy a four-hour FREE (that's right - I said it - as in... no $$$!!!) short game clinic at our beautifully-kept, hilltop, undulating, smooth and true practice putting surface - just outside of the clubhouse. Our putting green is the crown jewel of the practice facilities and features more opportunities to learn and grow as a golfer than any other amenity of the Learning Centre. More than 70% of all shots are hit from inside 100 yards - get this - for the average golfer. So, if you fall into the 'novice' category, that number might even be closer to 90%!
In short (pardon the pun get it? short game?), practicing and learning from two feet, then four, then ten, then thirty - eventually moving off the green to 'chip' (as in, fly a little, roll a lot) from five yards, then ten, then thirty (you get the picture) is the most-effective way to shave strokes from your score and build the most-important weapon of all... confidence. Golf is a game of confidence. If you don't believe it, then I suggest you get a copy of "Golf is a Game of Confidence" as well as "Golf is not a Game of Perfect", both by Dr. Robert Rotella - mental coach to the best of the best PGA Tour players. Or, for those literary 'lions', might I suggest Dave Pelz's "Short Game Bible" (about the size of War & Peace but full of scientific information about the most important part of one's game - absolutely perfect read for those 'analytical' types - Dave Pelz was literally a rocket scientist with Nasa before he decided to follow golfers, collect data and present his findings in a factual and accurate account).
And, after getting inspired at the free short game clinics, by all means, take advantage of our unbelievable golf & cart specials for Mom without busting open the piggy bank or borrowing on that trust account again (kidding - sense of humour, people) - only $25 anytime that day for Mom to golf using a power cart for 18 memorable Mother's Day holes.
Before or after the game, (la piece de resistance, mes amis)...$14.99 gets your Mom a most-amazing culinary experience in our beautiful Black Diamond dining hall - a setting that few would dispute exudes comfort and elegance. The menu options are exceptionally-priced to remain synonymous with the value we are becoming renowned for - our hope is that you will join us and our families for the entire day.
And to tantilize your taste buds, the menu looks like this:
The first course features our delectible Beef Vegetable Soup and fresh Caesar Salad
Then, bring on your choice of entree; (Choice of one of the following)
Poached Salmon topped with Hollandaise sauce, served with rice pilaf and mixed vegetables
Or...
Chicken Tuscany - a 'plump' chicken breast, stuffed with sundried tomatoes, cheese and prosciutto, served with rice pilaf and mixed vegetables
And for dessert;
Strawberry Short Cake (mmmmmmmmmm)!!!
Hungry yet? And for kids, for a mere $7.99, they can have their choice of either Pizza or Chicken Fingers & Fries - with vanilla ice cream for dessert!!
Seating starting at 11:30 am until 5pm
Call 705.932.4653, ext 1 to book your reservations
(As per usual, taxes and gratuities are not included - but you knew that already).
On a side note, remember our increasingly-popular May Special; featuring Golf, Power Cart, 2 BBQ meals and sleeve of golf balls $55 Monday through Friday and $58 on weekends and holidays. Exceptional value and then some, no?
So? Any excuses not to treat Mom to a memorable day for minimal investment? We thought, not. Remember to show up for the free short game clinic for Moms and Kids fom 10 am until 2 pm and then $25 for golf & cart, all day long.
See you at Black Diamond on Mother's Day - and again, we strongy urge you to reserve your table today as we are filling fast in certain times and would hate for you to miss out on such an exceptional opportunity to enjoy a family outing that will be one for the FaceBook albums...
Happy Mother's Day from all of us at Black Diamond Golf Club and Learing Centre!!!
www.blackdiamondgolfclub.ca/instruction.html
Sunday, May 2, 2010
2010 Instructional Schedule Now Posted!!!
The Black Diamond Learning Centre 2010 Group Lesson Schedule is now available at www.blackdiamondgolfclub.ca/instruction.html and registration forms are downloadable with an Adobe reader ( free download, if by chance the computer you're using doesn't have it - for example, a couple of hotel lobby computers I've used required an updated download - takes mere moments and you can find it at http://get.adobe.com/reader/ ).
Without question, our adult group programs are exceptional, affordable and fun - the junior camps are an incomparable value for an all-day, all-week structured program - and our club's committment to growth of the game is second-to-none that I'm aware of - FREE instructional clinics for kids on Friday nights in July and August and FREE golf for kids age 14 and under when accompanying their parents/guardians who purchase a regular-priced green fee - with no restrictions!
With both Mother's Day and Father's Day fast approaching, we can think of a few great gift ideas here at Black Diamond Golf Club. Call or email us today if we can help you with that special something - Learning Centre gift certificates are fully customizable with text and graphics and completed gift certificates are emailed to you as read-only files within minutes of receiving your details! Shopping is much easier at the Black Diamond Learning Centre than you may realize.
Okay! Enough, already!! Visit, sign up, buy a gift for Mom & Dad!!! Tune in tomorrow for details of our Mother's Day Learning Centre Free Clinics for Moms as well as the special menu options and unbeatable offer for those considering taking Mom out to the club for a meal she will not soon forget!
Without question, our adult group programs are exceptional, affordable and fun - the junior camps are an incomparable value for an all-day, all-week structured program - and our club's committment to growth of the game is second-to-none that I'm aware of - FREE instructional clinics for kids on Friday nights in July and August and FREE golf for kids age 14 and under when accompanying their parents/guardians who purchase a regular-priced green fee - with no restrictions!
With both Mother's Day and Father's Day fast approaching, we can think of a few great gift ideas here at Black Diamond Golf Club. Call or email us today if we can help you with that special something - Learning Centre gift certificates are fully customizable with text and graphics and completed gift certificates are emailed to you as read-only files within minutes of receiving your details! Shopping is much easier at the Black Diamond Learning Centre than you may realize.
Okay! Enough, already!! Visit, sign up, buy a gift for Mom & Dad!!! Tune in tomorrow for details of our Mother's Day Learning Centre Free Clinics for Moms as well as the special menu options and unbeatable offer for those considering taking Mom out to the club for a meal she will not soon forget!
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