WILMINGTON COUNTRY CLUB Junior Golf
WELCOME TO THE 2024 JUNIOR GOLF PROGRAM!
We are very pleased to offer an outstanding line-up of junior golf programming in 2024. Whether your junior is picking up a club for the first time, a junior golf camp veteran, or a seasoned tournament competitor, there is an offering to engage and challenge every junior golfer. The Junior Golf Levels listing on the following page describes the best program for every age, depending on the skill and commitment level of your junior. For 2024, we are continuing our philosophy of coaching the game from the hole backward. Juniors learn a variety of skills, and are tested on a score-based system (Operation 36) from various distances. We continue to offer additional certifications beyond the Merit Tag this year for juniors over age 10. Our entire PGA Professional Staff, led by Junior Golf Coordinator Jacob Chambers, PGA, is looking forward to seeing your junior on the golf course this season! Please contact the Golf Shop for more information on how your junior can get involved.
Sincerely, Michael Shank, PGA Director of Golf
GOLF STAFF leadership at its best
MICHAEL SHANK, PGA
Director of Golf
Originally from the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, Michael graduated from the Penn State Professional Golf Management program in 2000. Following school, he spent three seasons at Chevy Chase Club in Maryland and Jupiter Hills Club in Florida, before working five years at Ardsley Country Club in Westchester County, New York. Michael was the Head Golf Professional at North Shore Country Club on Long Island for 10 seasons previous to starting at Wilmington in 2018. He resides in nearby Pennsylvania his wife Heather and son Lucas.
ERIC WILLIAMS, PGA
BOB LENNON, PGA
Head Golf Professional
Director of Instruction
Originally from Ocean City, Maryland, Eric began his career as a golf professional at Ocean City Golf Club. In 2012, he moved to Wilmington Country Club and progressed to First Assistant Golf Professional. In 2019, he became Director of Golf and General Manager at Hartefeld National Golf Club in Avondale, PA. Eric returned to Wilmington Country Club in July 2023 to serve as Head Golf Professional. His passions are in coaching and development of the membership through individual and group activity. He resides in New London, Pennsylvania with his wife Danielle, son Gavin and daughter Paisley.
Bob attended Florida Southern College where he played on their National Championship golf team, turning professional in 1984. Bob was the founder and President of the South Jersey Junior Golf Foundation, a foundation that helped over 1200 children per year. He also owned the Bob Lennon Golf Learning Center at Blue Heron Pines and was the lead instructor for the Golf Digest Schools at Blue Heron Pines for 15 years. Bob has been the Director of Instruction at Wilmington Country Club since 2007. His playing highlights include participation in the Greater Hartford Open and the U.S. Senior Open.
JENNA SORANNO, PGA
RYAN RUCINSKI Assistant Golf Professional
Director of Player Development
Jenna is a PGA and LPGA Specialized Professional in Teaching and Coaching. She graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a degree in Professional Golf Management and Legal Studies. Previously, Jenna was a Territory Manager for Dunlop Sports Americas and the Director of Player Development at Gulph Mills Golf Club. She is very active in the Philadelphia PGA Section where she sits on the Foundation Committee and the Women’s Committee. She is also a board member and Tournament Chair for Women Golfers Give Back. In her spare time, she is the Director of Golf and Head Coach at the Episcopal Academy and loves to spend time riding horses and with her husband Tim and Dogs, Aspen and Koda.
Originally from Wilmington, Delaware and a Salesianum High School Alumni, Ryan joined the Professional Staff at Wilmington in 2022. Ryan played Collegiate Golf at Wilmington University, where he competed in three National Championships. While playing Collegiate Golf, Ryan worked part time for four years as a club fitter, helping players find the right equipment for their golf game. Upon Graduating, he turned professional in hopes of playing on the PGA tour. He is currently working towards PGA membership, with aspirations to continue competing in the game of golf. Some of his playing highlights include winning the 2018 GAP Silver Cross, and 2023 Philadelphia PGA Section Match Play Championship Runner-Up.
JACOB CHAMBERS, PGA
NATE FARNSWORTH Ssasonal Assistant Golf Professional
Assistant Golf Professional
Jacob attended Campbell University, where he graduated with a dual degree in Professional Golf Management and Marketing. During his time at Campbell, Jacob spent two 6-month internships at Wilmington Country Club in 2021 and 2022, as well as internships at the Country Club of Virginia and Garden City Golf Club in New York. He returns to Wilmington where he will be leading our Junior Golf program this season.
Nate is a PGA Associate beginning his first season at Wilmington Country Club. He was born and raised in Auburn, Maine, and is a graduate of Bryant University in Rhode Island. Nate is joining Wilmington from Jupiter Hills Club in Tequesta, Florida. He previously worked at Boothbay Harbor Country Club in Boothbay, Maine. Outside of work Nate enjoys spending time outdoors doing activities such as hiking, fishing, and coaching youth baseball.
2024 JUNIOR GOLF LEVELS
In 2024 we will continue utilizing Junior Golf Skill Levels in order to help parents place their juniors into the correct summer golf offerings. These levels will ensure that juniors are in a class that meets their skill level and are paired with juniors of a similar skill set. If a parent is unsure what level their junior falls into, please speak with a Golf Professional Staff member. Level 1: Juniors ages 5-7 with little to no prior golf experience. Level 1 Juniors are beginning to work on achieving Orange Operation 36 pins. The best fit for Level 1 juniors will be the Summer Day Camp. Day Camp provides juniors an opportunity to learn the basic fundamentals of the golf swing in a group setting. Juniors that are a part of the Day Camp will have golf class for forty-five minutes three days a week. Level 2: Juniors ages 7-10 with limited golf experience, beginning to work on completing their Operation 36 Orange skill pins. We recommend that juniors who fit the Level 2 criteria participate in the Summer Day Camp or Orange & Yellow Junior Golf Classes. Juniors will have an opportunity to develop their existing skills and begin working toward their Operation 36 skill pins. Level 3: Juniors ages 7-12 who have a shown a moderate understanding of the fundamentals of the golf swing and are working to complete their Operation 36 Orange & Yellow skill pins. These juniors will best fit into Orange & Yellow Junior Golf Classes (part of the Summer Sports Camp) which includes golf for an hour and thirty minutes five days a week. Level 4: Juniors ages 10-13 who are working on completing their Operation 36 Green Skill Pins in order to obtain their Merit Tag. These juniors will best fit into Advanced Golf Academy Classes (part of the Summer Sports Camp). Level 4 Juniors will have golf class five days a week for two hours. Level 5: Juniors ages 12-15 who have their Merit Tag and are looking to accelerate their skills in preparation for high school & tournament golf. These juniors will best fit into Advanced Golf Academy Classes (part of the Summer Sports Camp) which has golf class two hours per day, five days a week in the summer. MERIT TAGS Merit Tags are awarded to juniors who have demonstrated proficiency through a series of skill tests covering rules, putting, driving, and scoring. These skill tests are administered by the Golf Professional Staff and provide objective levels of proficiency that a junior golfer must meet in order to play on the course without a parent.
OPERATION THIRTY-SIX The challenge we set for our players is a score of 36 (par for 9 holes) from progressively longer distances. By working from green to tee-box versus the traditional tee-box to green it lowers the challenge point, and is a motivating way to learn and progress in the sport. Each level has multiple areas of concentration that allow for improvement in all areas of a player’s game culminating in the passing of each level.
Orange Level (7-8 years old) Distance: 25 yards Scoring: Score 36 or better for 9 holes
Driving: Drive 3 of 5 attempts 70 yards or more Rules: Pass Orange Level rules and etiquette exam Putting: Finish 9-Hole Putting Course in 27 putts or less Yellow Level (8-9 years old) Distance: 50 yards Scoring: Score 36 or better for 9 holes Driving: Drive 3 of 5 attempts 90 yards or more Rules: Pass Yellow Level rules and etiquette exam Putting: Finish 9-Hole Putting Course in 24 putts or less
Green Level (9-10 years old) Distance: 75 yards Scoring: Score 36 or better for 9 holes
Driving: Drive 6 of 10 attempts 110 yards or more Rules: Pass Green Level rules and etiquette exam Putting: Finish 9-Hole Putting Course in 22 putts or less Blue Level (10+ years old) Distance: 125 yards Scoring: Score 36 or better from Family Tee 1 for 9 holes
Driving: Hit 5 or more fairways in 9 holes Approach: Hit 6 or more greens for 9 holes Rules: Pass Blue Level rules and etiquette exam Putting: Have 15 or less putts in 9 holes
Purple Level (10+ years old) Distance: 175 yards Scoring: Score 36 or better from Family Tee 2 for 9 holes
Driving: Hit 6 or more fairways in 9 holes Approach: Hit 6 or more greens for 9 holes Rules: Pass Purple Level rules and etiquette exam Putting: have 15 or less putts in 9 holes
Black Level (10+ years old) Distance: 225 yards Scoring: Score 36 or better from Family Tee 3 for 9 holes Driving: Hit 7 fairways in 9 holes Approach: Hit 6 or more greens for 9 holes Rules: Pass Black Level rules and etiquette exam Putting: Have 15 or less putts in 9 holes
SPRING GOLF CLASS Dates: Tuesday & Thursday: March 26 – May 30 Spring Orange & Yellow Class: Level 1,2 & 3 Juniors Time: 4:00 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. Price: $105 per week or $40 per class Advanced Golf Academy: Level 4 &5 Juniors Time: 5:00 p.m.– 6:15 p.m. Price: $150 per week or $60 per class
Spring Orange & Yellow Class will give Level 1-3 juniors an opportunity to keep working toward their Merit Tag by earning Operation 36 Skill Pins. Classes will focus on building the skills necessary to pass Orange, Yellow, and Green Operation 36 Skill Pins. Spring Advanced Golf Academy provides Level 4 & 5 our Advanced Golf Academy curriculum to accelerate skill development in preparation for the Summer.
SUMMER ADVANCED ACADEMY
Course Description Designed for Juniors in golf skill levels 4 and 5 (ages 10-15), the Summer Advanced Golf Academy Curriculum provides juniors a roadmap to improve their game and maximize their potential by creating a positive, enjoyable & competitive atmosphere. Each Junior will be expected to lay out their short- and long- term goals using the SMART (Specific, Meaningful, Achievable, Realistic, Trackable) criteria. Date: Daily, Monday to Friday - June 10 – August 23 (11 weeks) Time: 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Price: $325 per week, $80 per day, $2500 All Summer Package
ORANGE & YELLOW CLASS Course Description
Designed for Juniors in golf skill levels 1 to 3 (ages 6-12), Juniors have an opportunity to build upon the skills and knowledge learned from Spring Classes. Summer Orange & Yellow golf classes will continue to go through the Junior Golf Curriculum while also utilizing the Operation-36 pin testing to track progress and keep Juniors moving toward earning their Merit Tag. Date: Daily, Monday to Friday - June 10 – August 23 (11 weeks) Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Price: $200 per week, $50 per day, $1500 All Summer Package
PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE We are excited to begin another season of PGA Junior League Golf, with registration opening Friday, March 22nd. This developmental program is a terrific way to get junior golfers of all abilities, from ages 8-13, involved in the game. PGA Junior League Golf is a team effort, includes numbered jerseys, practices and matches and also has an “All-Star” post- season team! We anticipate having two teams represent Wilmington Country Club in 2024, with a limit of 16 players per team. While formatted as a competition, the main goal of the program is to develop golf skills while promoting a casual, team environment with an emphasis on fun! Matches are played with twelve players, and we will add four additional players per team expecting that some juniors will not be able to attend all matches. We cannot guarantee each junior will play every match. Please note, parent participation is required and vital to the success of the Junior League. Please plan to drive players to away matches and stay at matches for the duration to support & chaperone our team. Junior League Golf Information:
Who: Junior golfers ages 8-13 of all abilities (and supportive parents!). All juniors are welcome regardless of experience.
What: Approximately six 9-hole matches with groups playing a two-person scramble, match-play format. Also included are six to ten practices and self-scrimmages. Practices will be supervised, include structured activities and professional instruction, working on all aspects of the game. When: April through July. Practices begin in April and matches are May-July. The exact dates of the match and practice schedule will be available soon. Where: The matches will be played at different area courses such as Fieldstone, Bidermann, Hartefeld National, Concord CC, DuPont CC, Newark CC, Rock Manor, and Kennett Square CC. How: Our team is an invite-only league. Only Wilmington Country Club members will be allowed to sign up for our team. We will give further instructions for registration once you have called in and provided intent to participate. Cost: $450/Junior - This includes all matches played, practices, home & away team jerseys, hat, t-shirt, bag tag, and drawstring bag. Registration: Sign-ups open Friday, March 22nd at 9:00 a.m. Register online on the Club website, using the Foretees app, or by calling the Golf Shop at (302) 655-6022.
INDIVIDUAL COACHING By Appointment – 45 Minute Appointments
For juniors, absolute beginners, elite players, and all players looking to elevate their game. Individual instruction is the best tool for personalized learning. Club fittings and use of launch monitors is available upon request.
Coaches & Pricing: Michael Shank, PGA, $130 Bob Lennon, PGA, $130 Jenna Soranno, PGA, $130 Eric Williams, PGA, $130 Ryan Rucinski, $100 Jacob Chambers, PGA, $100 Nate Farnsworth, $100
BUDDY CLINICS By Appointment – 1 Hour Appointments 14 years & under Maximum 4:1 student to coach ratio
Two or more juniors may set up a date and time with one of our Professional Staff. Based upon staff and facility availability. Pricing:
$30 each for four juniors $40 each for three juniors $50 each for two juniors
ELITE JUNIOR GOLF Call to arrange date and time. Ages 10+ with Merit Tags This clinic is designed for juniors looking to get to the next level. Design your own elite coaching class with up to five juniors per class. Classes include 30 minutes of supervised practice and two hours of on-course coaching for a total of 2 ½ hours. Pricing: $100 per junior, minimum of three students. Two students for $150 each.
PLAY WITH THE PROS By Appointment - North Course - Ages 6-17
Play with the Pros is an initiative to give juniors more on-course experience combined with a 9-hole playing evaluation. The Professional Staff will help guide juniors around the course playing as a team while developing junior’s skills and etiquette. Pricing: $40 per junior, minimum of three students. Two students for $60 each.
JUNIOR PRO TOUR
Date: Each Friday, June 28 to August 9 Time: 9:00 a.m. - North Course Ages: 10+ with Merit Tags
All golfers know that transitioning skills from the practice tee to the golf course is not always a seamless process. The Junior Pro Tour offers an opportunity for juniors who have their Merit Tag to get on the course and test their skills. A Professional Staff member will help juniors lower their scores by offering course and game management advice to help each junior score their best.
FAMILY GOLF TOURNAMENT
Date: Sunday, July 14 Time: 3:00 p.m. - North Course Ages: 4-17 Price: $20 per player
This fun and casual tournament is a great way to bring the whole family out to play nine holes as a team! Each player will compete in various skill events while on-course for prizes. Players play from a tee that is best for them. Awards given in Café 1901 following play. JUNIOR CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP Dates: Saturday, July 20 (all divisions) Sunday, July 21 (18-hole division) Time: 12:00 – 2:30 p.m. starting times by age Ages: 7-17 Price: $20 per junior in the 5 and 9-hole division; $30 per junior in the 18-hole championship. This tournament crowns our Junior Club Champions in the following brackets: Juniors ages 7-10 will play in the 5-Hole Championship Juniors ages 13 & under, or juniors who have their Yellow Progress Pins will play in the 9-Hole Championship Juniors 17 and under, or juniors who have their Merit Tag will be in the 18-Hole Championship
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