Dana Open introduces children, especially girls, to the game of golf

As the Dana Open returned to the Toledo area, children in the area had the chance to see some of the best players in the world compete up close.

For these children, the tournament often presents their first exposure to the sport.

Nick Myers, the head pro at host courts Highland Meadows, explained that access to the players can be critical for newcomers to the game.

“I think it’s great for kids, because the players are so accessible, and the LPGA especially, they’re out walking with them not behind ropes,” he said. “The LPGA does a great job with getting little kids closer to players, and the interaction is much better than I would see at bigger tournaments, particularly the men’s tour, they don’t get as close. There’s definitely more of a relationship thing.”

Seeing such a high level of play and having a positive experience at a golf course can help inspire people to give the sport a try, Myers said. Even if that means something as simple as going to a Top Golf with parents to swing a driver or competing with friends at a mini golf course, any kind of interaction can grow children’s connections to the game.

Beyond casual engagement, however, the tournament can also motivate children to take up the game more seriously.

First Tee Lake Erie — an organization that works to break down barriers to entry for more than 600 children in the area by providing them with clubs, instructors, and access to courses — partners with the event to grow the game among Toledo youth.

Adam Reny, president and CEO of First Tee Lake Erie, explained the Dana Open has been great both for motivating children to join the program and for increasing engagement among those already involved.

“Locally, with it being so convenient to go see that level of golf up close, and I think it’s inspired a lot of our kids to see what’s possible if they stick with the game,” Reny said. “To be able to give not only the females, but also the males, the opportunity to see that level of golf up close and how the players handle themselves, it’s really a great benefit for us and the kids we work with.”

On the Wednesday before the tournament, children from First Tee were able to walk with the players on the second hole of their practice round, talking about the game and sometimes hitting a shot as they go.

This kind of connection, Reny explained, is a highlight of the summer for many kids.

In particular, he highlighted the importance of having kids attend a women’s tournament in a sport historically associated with men. Although 30 percent of First Tee participants are female, that number is up significantly over the past five years.

The tournament also looks to get children involved in volunteering roles, particularly those that keep them close to the action. Heather Warga, the volunteer coordinator for the Dana Open, explained that growing the game is a key priority among organizers.

“Especially for the younger ones, it’s so impressionable for them to see, if they’re a standard bearer or whatever that might be and they’re walking inside the ropes with the LPGA players,” Warga said. “The players treat them so well that I think it leaves such a good impression for them and hopefully leaves them wanting to take that next step.”

For those working to introduce youth to the game, they believe it teaches important values that children might not learn from other sports. As a slow-paced, individual sport, it forces players to operate at a different pace.

Moreover, Myers also believes it teaches both a sense of patience and etiquette that translate to many other situations outside of the game.

“It’s not traditional like some of the sports where it’s more yelling and screaming,” Myers said. “Golf is a little bit more quiet, subtle, a little more working on your mental side, dealing with when things don’t go right.”