Children hone golf skills through Elks program

If there is a weakness in Andrew Ortolani's golf game, it's chipping.
"I probably also need to work on my grip on my driver," he said.
As a young man just a month away from being 11 years old, Ortolani takes the game of golf pretty seriously — at least during the six-week golf lessons at Four Oaks Golf Course, sponsored by the Pittsburg Elks Lodge.
"I like competing for those slushies," he said, adding that blue raspberry is his favorite flavor.
Connor Wilbert, who also participated in the program, said he takes part as a way of honing his skills, which are already beyond those of most 10 year olds.
"Last year, I started getting into golf and I kind of liked it," Wilbert said. "I don't practice much, just on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday."
The free lessons have been sponsored by the Elks Lodge for nine years. The Elks Lodge also donated clubs that were cut down and prepared by Four Oaks Clubhouse Manager Lee Farmer.
Homer Cole, secretary of the local Elks Lodge, said 41 area youngsters signed up for this year's lessons, the most ever.
"That’s what it’s all about," Cole said. "We do this for the kids, and we’re happy we had so much participation this year."
Cole said the program is in place not only to help the children learn golf skills. It’s also there, he said, to give kids something to do during their summer break from school.
"Things like golf, tennis and swimming are things they can do when they're not in school," he said. "This helps keep them out of trouble."
Doug Hitchcock, whose son Tanner participates in the lessons, praised the program.
"It's a great thing the Elks do for these kids," he said. "It's really quite fantastic."
And although he's a bit too old to take part, Hitchcock said he does benefit from the free lessons.
"I like having my son in there because then he can come home and teach me," he said.
Ortolani said he would encourage his peers to consider taking advantage of the free lessons next year.
"This is the life sport," he said. "You can play it your whole life."