On course: SDG OPP, Morrisburg PS and friends educate golf, life lessons

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They’ve managed to Stay on Course 4 Communities.

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It’s a great program with a partnership that features the SDG detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), being provided for nearly a decade and once more this fall, for students in Grade 6 at Morrisburg Public School.

“This has been superior – its been actually good interplay (with students and group partners),” stated SDG OPP Cst. John Mac Pherson, the SDG Crime Stoppers program co-ordinator/media relations officer.

“(Last spring the students) really improved via 4 sessions. They grew to become better at striking the ball, chipping, and (having a) better tempo of putt.”

Teacher Sarah Barclay-Thomas, co-ordinating the handout of golf bags before the session. Photo on Sept. 29, 2022, in Cornwall, Ont. Todd Hambleton/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network Photo by Todd Hambleton /Todd Hambleton/Standard-Freeholder

But the Stay on Course 4 Communities Program is about so much greater than the game of golf. It was first available to MPS kids in 2013 when Cst. Peter Robertson obtained this system going; then Cst. Tylor Copeland kept the ball rolling for several years.

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A key companion all through has been MPS teacher Sarah Barclay-Thomas, who was very enthusiastic concerning the five-week fall program kicking off on the Archie’s course driving range on what was a sun-splashed Thursday afternoon.

A beautiful fall afternoon to be out at the driving range. Photo on Sept. 29, 2022, in Cornwall, Ont. Todd Hambleton/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network Photo by Todd Hambleton /Todd Hambleton/Standard-Freeholder

Barclay-Thomas explained that while the scholars – 21 of them this fall – learn the game, in addition they emphasize the etiquette, with two character traits discussed and targeted on at every session, and “how to reveal them in school, on the course, at residence, and in the community,” she mentioned.

And once once more this yr there are plenty of adult mentors, a gaggle of nine that options a retired principal and retired police officer.

Mentor Pasquale Mongillo offering some instructions. Photo on Sept. 29, 2022, in Cornwall, Ont. Todd Hambleton/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network Photo by Todd Hambleton /Todd Hambleton/Standard-Freeholder

The mentorship angle runs somewhat deeper than teaching children about golf. Barclay-Thomas stated the program, from its inception, was designed as a two-way road, the scholars educating the adults a thing or two about modern-day technology.

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Over the years, Barclay-Thomas said, many mentors have become pals of the varsity, visiting and collaborating in several activities, and ensuring to be in attendance at the Grade 6 Gratitude Celebration held each June.

SDG OPP Const. John Mac Pherson and MPS students earlier than the Stay on Course 4 Communities session Thursday afternoon. Photo on Sept. 29, 2022, in Cornwall, Ont. Todd Hambleton/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network Photo by Todd Hambleton /Todd Hambleton/Standard-Freeholder

“The (mentors) have been a beautiful assist for this program,” she stated. “We’ve built these relationships, and those relationships have continued.’’

The first golf session annually is because of the generosity of Archie’s; after that, each Tuesday for a month, simply after lunch, the students will stroll over to Morrisburg Golf Club for the periods.

Grade 6 scholar Lucas Inderbitzin gets some steerage from mentor Fred Langlotz on the driving range throughout a Stay on Course 4 Communities session Thursday afternoon. Photo on Sept. 29, 2022, in Cornwall, Ont. Todd Hambleton/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network Photo by Todd Hambleton /Todd Hambleton/Standard-Freeholder

And even last year, despite the slow start to the college year, this system managed to be held – within the spring. That’s a busy time for golf golf equipment, so, with approval from the municipality, the board of governors at Morrisburg Golf Club, Barclay-Thomas said, was able to assemble a makeshift, five-hole course just throughout the method in which at Earl Baker Park.

A acquainted group program – and how all the golf gear was transported to the club. Photo on Sept. 29, 2022, in Cornwall, Ont. Todd Hambleton/Cornwall Standard-Freeholder/Postmedia Network Photo by Todd Hambleton /Todd Hambleton/Standard-Freeholder

“That was absolutely superb, for them to try this,” she stated.

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