MCC runs two, two-day golf camps

HIBBING—Emily Freeman may not be coaching the Hibbing High School boys and girls golf teams, but that doesn’t mean she took time away from golf.

No, Freeman became the director of the Mesaba Country Club Junior Golf Camp, which held one session last week, then came back with another session Tuesday and Wednesday at the Mesaba Country Club.

Freeman is a member of the Mesaba Youth Golf Association, which stems from the Owens Foundation.

“We are putting out an opportunity in the community for kids to get out here two days at a time,” Freeman said. “We want them to learn the skills of golf and the etiquette of golf.”

To take on this challenge was easy for Freeman to do.

“I grew up golfing and running around here,” Freeman said. “It was a safe place that my parents could bring me. I think it’s huge for the youth of Hibbing to have a space that’s safe and welcoming for them.

“It should feel that way for the parents, too, to know that they’re taken care of.”

The camp has five stations, endurance, putting, chipping, full swing and rules and etiquette.

“This introduces the game of golf to kids at an early age, with their friends,” Freeman said. “We want to keep it fun, keeping it exciting and keeping kids engaged, which is the best thing you can ask for.”

Freeman might be the director of the event, but she also has a lot of good people around her running the stations, including former Hibbing coaches like Brittany Koschak, current coach Kayla Beise, current assistant coach Derek Gabardi, Thomas Bittman, Craig Hattam (assistant instructor) and Josh Bestul (assistant instructor).

Mesaba Country Club Golf Pro Gary Yeager is an instructor, along with Conner Willard and Kristen Sundvall, and junior instructors Grant Toewe, Opal Valeri, Ava Bougalis, Heidi Rasch, Kate Toewe.

Jen Toewe was the organized check-in instructor.

“We have great help,” Freeman said. “We have instructors here who are all teachers or employees of the school district in Hibbing. That brings a level of respect and expectations right off the bat for the kids to come here.

“We have former coaches and former state participants just to set that expectation high. We have reliable help that you can count on. They keep the kids in line. It also keeps a safe environment for everybody. That makes all of the difference.”

Session 1 was held last week, and Session 2 was held the past two days. In total, Freeman said they had 110 golfers.

“That was up from last year,” Freeman said. “Last year we had 68 and that was in one session. This year, we split it up. It’s a good opportunity for kids.”

So far, Freeman said the response from the kids has been positive.

“They’re having fun,” Freeman said. “They’re engaged. When I walk around, nobody is bored. They’re staying busy and learning and participating.”

The youngest participant has been six-years-old. The oldest, 15-years-old.

“They learn those rules and etiquette, and how to swing a club safely,” Freeman said. “Now, they can come out here with their parents and know those expectations and rules.

“Hopefully, they will do the Muni Junior League some day to get out and play nine holes. Any youth golf we can do in this area is a good thing.”