Getting women on par

Golf lessons at Lawrence Yacht & Country Club to boost female involvement

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Interest in learning skills, being outdoors and having fun are the prime motivators propelling two groups of women totaling 25 to take four one-hour lessons from Lawrence Yacht & Country Club golf pro Peter Procops and his staff during the next few weeks.
According to the National Golf Foundation, of the 29 million golfers in the U.S., 22.5 percent are women. “We looking to continue and grow this gorgeous game, and get the ladies to feel comfortable starting the game,” Procops said, as he led 14 women through their Saturday lesson on May 16. For the first four ladies who signed up it was free; lessons were then $30 each. “We want them to get on the course and not worry about their score,” he said.
Procops began last Saturday’s lesson by recapping the previous session, including proper positioning and grip. Splitting into two groups of seven, the women practiced chipping and putting. Procops and assistant golf pro Jeffrey Calais explained the drill, provided individual instruction and offered encouragement.
Woodmere resident Debbie Katz is not a stranger to golf having played several years ago, and keeping up with her husband Bruce’s game, a “fabulous golfer,” she said. “I played about 15 years ago, but I didn’t like playing in the rain, the heat, the humidity,” she said, laughing. “I love the skills, I love hitting the ball. This is to ease back into to it. Peter and Jeff are great.”
First-time golfer Sue Gidaly is learning the game where she and her husband, Mitchell, got married 38 years ago. “It is a special place for me,” the Atlantic Beach resident said. She is taking lessons to play with friends and her husband. “I want to become a great golfer and have fun,” Gidaly said.
Mona Weinberg, of Hewlett, is another beginner. For the past decade, she, her husband, Robert, the current club president, have been members. “I want to learn the game and become good,” she said. “All the husbands play and what the club is offering is great.”