Junior Golf In Maine and The Maine Junior Golf Club
Mike Clendenningsaw a need for junior golfers and started The Maine Junior Golf Club in 2007.The organization's goal is to teach the game of golf to all juniors from ages 5 to 18.
In 2009, we expanded and we were able to offer more juniors the ability to learn the game.
In 2010, Mike was approached by a couple of businesses that wanted to support the youth program. With the help of the local businesses and individuals we have been able to train, develop and buy equipment to improve the program. We believe, through the lessons and the golf tournaments, that we can teach some valuable life lessons as well. Golf is a great game in which you can learn individual skills as well as team skills. They learn such things as how to survive adversity, discipline, how to set goals, and best of all, respect and care for those around you. We believe that the sooner you learn these skills the better you will be.
In 2011, the Vanadestine family and friends established the Herb Vanadestine Scholarship program to award graduates of high school scholarships to help with their college education. Each year we have a Herb Vanadestine 2-Person Best Ball event the first Saturday in August to raise money for the scholarships that are distributed to local high school golf athletes.
In 2013, Mike became a First Tee Coach and brought The First Tee program and all of its opportunities to better our youth with their life skills and nine healthy habits. We are excited for the youth and what the kids can achieve with this program in the future.
In 2015 Mike started The Maine Junior Golf Club Tour. This series of events allow juniors to work on their skills while playing golf at different golf courses every week. This tour has really helped the high school students to get ready for the school season and has produced double digit state championships for teams as well as individuals.
In 2018 Mike was presented with the Thomas (TK) Kimball Award from the Maine State Golfers Association on its 10th anniversary. This award is given to those individuals "who demonstrate their love of the game and the promotion of the sport and its values to junior golfers and others who may benefit from golf's life lessons".
Barnes Brook Golf Courseis such a great place to learn and to play this game. We really enjoy having the juniors play.
Thank you to all the families, businesses, and Juniors that have been a part of The Maine Junior Golf Club. And Many thanks to the program director,MichaelClendenning IPGA, WGTF, USGTF, TFT and the many different instructors, and our volunteers. We have a great time and look forward to it every year.