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Social Buttons      When SNAG Comes Sweepin' Down the PlainApril 26th, 2012 12:41am - Posted By: Golf Oklahoma magazine, Ken MacLeod
Golf Oklahoma Magazine
April/May 2012 Issue
"SNAGed, More Fun Means More Golfers" By Ken MacLeod
One company poised to benefit greatly from the PGA of America’s renewed focus on growth of the game is Oklahoma-based SNAG (Start New at Golf).
Although discussions are ongoing as to whether the PGA is going to officially endorse SNAG, it mentioned the company prominently in Golf 2.0 and Darrell Crall, director of Golf 2.0, said the PGA regards SNAG as an ideal format to introduce golf to children as young as 3-4 years old.
“SNAG provides a step-by-step curriculum on how to teach golf to kids and its professionals are world-class,” Crall said. “Going into first- and second-grade classes to try to teach golf to kids can be very intimidating, but SNAG has a program that works. We’re proud of all their efforts and glad to have them associated with the PGA.”
SNAG, which uses colorful oversize clubs, Velcro targets and balls similar to a tennis ball, has been used successfully by Holley Hair at Tee Town Golf Ranch in Broken Arrow for years, but is just now beginning to catch on statewide.
Terry Anton, who runs SNAG worldwide from his home office in Tahlequah, is glad to see the program catching fire in the U.S. It has been a huge hit in Japan, China, Brazil and other overseas markets.
“If we can reach kids when they are 5 and 6, we are inculcating them about golf and many will fall in love with the game,” he said. “There’s not a golf course out there that can bring in 1,800 new kids to the game, but the school system can. How did soccer proliferate? You had the large associations raise their voice and suddenly 100,000 soccer facilities were built in the U.S.
“We have 27 million people playing golf. With SNAG, we can put 100 kids on a course at 8 a.m. and you’ll never know they were there. All we need is a field or park. We spent five years developing golf’s version of T-Ball, we call it G-Ball. We started with 15 communities and now have 800 participating.
In addition to programs like the First Tee, SNAG can be ideal for courses as well. Kickingbird Golf Course in Edmond will be using SNAG this year. The Norman Junior Golf Association, formed by the head professionals of Jimmie Austin OU Golf Course, Belmar Country Club, The Trails Country Club and Westwood Park Golf Course, is attempting to raise $18,000 to purchase SNAG equipment that will be used in every elementary school in Norman.
Frank Thompson, athletic director for the Norman Public Schools, has already approved the plan and the pros along with SNAG rep John Flores have met with teachers and physical education instructors to introduce them to the game. The hope is that by having SNAG in the elementary schools, our four courses will benefit down the line.
“We’re competitors, but we all agree this is good for us all,” said Charles Candler, head professional at Belmar. The other pros who have set up the association include Rodney Young at Jimmie Austin, David Lisle at Westwood Park and Alan Hager at The Trails.
The pros began the association in 2011 with middle-school participants and have plans to add a high-school division, four U.S. Kids tournaments and a season-ending junior tournament as well.
One of the best advocates for SNAG is Holley Hair. She has been helping the Broken Arrow elementary schools with their programs as well as teaching it at Tee Town for four years.
“SNAG is like Putt Putt on steroids,” Hair said. “The kids love it. They get to move around, chase their own balls and have fun. They don’t have to be quiet or do a lot of repetition. But they do learn the fundamentals. The cues that they learn are simple; they remember them. When pros later teach kids who have come up through SNAG, they don’t have to spend much time on the grip, stance and posture.”
Hair said with the PGA’s recent blessing she expects the game to take off here much like it has in Asia. It can be used for tournaments or leagues as well as instruction.
“You don’t have to be at a real golf course. You can use it in a playground, gym, church. Churches have huge areas and youth groups are always looking for something to do.”
Soccer, practically unheard of when many of us were growing up, is now the model for other sports to follow. One large Oklahoma recreational club has experienced an average of 9.3 percent growth for the past decade, resulting in a phenomenal increase of 114 percent. Meanwhile, golf participation among adults has plummeted, and at least part of that is because parents are spending their Saturdays watching soccer.
To combat that, Anton said SNAG leagues have to become commonplace in park and recreation departments and schools.
“We’re trying to do things that open the door to golf for everybody,”: he said. Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation Uses SNAGApril 26th, 2012 12:23am
Schererville, IN - The Autism Spectrum Disorder Foundation (www.myASDF.org), a national organization that provides direct support for families living with autism, partners with the Oakland University Center for Autism Research, Education and Support (OUCARES) every year to provide SNAG® golf equipment. Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook, Google +Please like our New and Improved Facebook page!April 16th, 2012 1:33pm - Posted By: Tiffanie
NEW & IMPROVED SNAG FACEBOOK PAGE! SNAG ('Starting New At Golf') wants to connect with you! We are revamping and improving our presence on Facebook! Please "like" us to stay up to date on the most current: Training Materials (Instruction Videos and Manuals) Sales and Promotions Current News (U.S. and International) Best Practices Pictures and Videos Tips on how to start or grow your SNAG program Marketing Ideas and Materials
Click on the icon above or go to: http://www.facebook.com/StartingNewAtGolf "Like'" our Facebook Page and join the conversation on playing, learning, and growing golf! Upload pictures of your kids or students enjoying SNAG or Write on our wall and tell us how you use our product, or offer tips to others
Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook, Google +NRPA speaks out on how SNAG® Golf is growing the game in our parks through G-BallApril 2nd, 2012 11:07am - Posted By: NRPANRPA speaks out on how SNAG® Golf is growing the game in our parks through G-Ball from SNAG Golf on Vimeo.
Barbara Tulipane, President & CEO of the National Recreation & Park Association (NRPA, nrpa.org/) speak on how SNAG® ('Starting New At Golf') has the opportunity to grow the game of golf in every community in the United States through our park system. Posted in: NoneView / Add Comment | 0 Comment(s) | Rating: 0 of 5 | Share: Twitter, Facebook, Google + |
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