How I long to hear a golf ball ping from a metal driver and stare down the mouth of a long par four with a scary water hazard nestled closely to the green.

It’s getting close and I can start to feel it &045;&045; that itch for warmer weather, clear skies and a chance to throw my clubs in my trunk and head to the course.

I have even found myself driving down Hwy. 43 South, just to get a glimpse of the course at the Demopolis Sports Plex. The sun was out and the course looked to be dry, it may have been a little chilly, but that has never stopped me before. So I was surprised that there were no golfers on the course with the weather being so good yesterday. But then a thought began to creep into my mind about golf in the area that left me even more puzzled. Are there any golf programs for the kids?

With such a beautiful public facility, why were there no lessons being given on the range? Why were there no high school golf teams practicing for the season?

So I did some research of my own and found that only one school in the area has a golf team and even they are not exactly positive that they will have a team every year. There are no programs for kid’s golf, but yet many kids have the interest in the sport.

I’m certain that there is plenty of talent in this area. Demopolis High School’s golf team went 13-6 last season, so I know we have some great young golf talent around here.

When it comes to golf, I know that many think that having a public golf course is a blessing. And it is, but it needs to be taken advantage of to the fullest.

If the sport is to survive we must teach the young how to play it and play it right. There are thousands of kids across the country that may never get the opportunity to ever hit a golf ball and discover the joys of the game. Most of the reason for that lack of opportunity will come because those kids have no place to play. But here in Demopolis we have a place for them to play.

We have the facilities and I’m certain there is a need, so why don’t we do something about it. You never know, the next Tiger Woods could be right here in Demopolis, Alabama.

But without programs to help kids discover their talents the opportunities is wasted.