Get Into the Swing
Golf and tennis are two of the most-played sports by adults—and least played by youth. But TGA (Teach, Grow, Achieve) is out to change all that. The company uses a school-based approach to attract elementary and middle school-aged kids to learn the sports and get the most out of them.Novato-based Sherman Leland opened his chapter, originally called Total Golf Adventures, in 2006. Solely focused on golf, he now works with 42 schools throughout Marin and Sonoma counties, teaching golf to between 700 and 800 kids annually. He also offers camps, clinics, tournaments (there’s a new junior league this year) and private lessons.
The affordable, accessible programs are parent-funded and include all equipment. The weekly, hour-long classes average about 10 kids each, and begin shortly after school lets out for an average duration of six to eight weeks. “They just need closed-toed shoes and a good attitude,” says Leland.
Each class covers core concepts such as swing fundamentals, fitness, character development (integrity, honesty, sportsmanship), rules and etiquette, course anatomy and more. The kids even learn math (negative integers are introduced via golf scoring), science (physics of slopes, why golf balls are dimpled) and history (golf’s origins and tournaments).
Nationwide, TGA entrepreneurs have worked with 280,000 students in 3,000 schools so far. Once the five-level program is completed, some of the students are referred to PGA professionals for a higher level of instruction. “They discover the game from all angles and hopefully get excited to continue,” says Leland, whose goal is to include 60 schools by this time next year. His biggest hurdle for growth, he says, is finding appropriate staff (anyone interested is thoroughly trained before taking on a group). TGA looks for instructors who have experience with children and a background in golf.
Take a Walk
Now is the perfect time of year to explore our area’s natural surroundings. And thanks to the efforts of many, many people, you can now experience sweeping, panoramic views via Jack London State Park’s newly opened East Slope Sonoma Mountain Ridge Trail. On land never before accessible to the public, it’s the result of close to two decades of effort and collaboration between a long list of landowners and local organizations. The 1.2-mile trail is an addition to the Bay Area Ridge Trail, which offers hikers, cyclists and equestrians a growing network of accessible ridgelines overlooking San Francisco Bay (so far, 350 miles of the planned 550-mile loop are open). It also adds to more than 20 miles of trails within Jack London State Park’s 1,400 acres.
The new trail crosses two private properties, a Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District-owned property as it meanders through oak woodland and open grassland habitats. Janet McBride, executive director of Bay Ridge Trail Council, says, “The new East Slope Trail, combined with the existing Ridge Trail through Jack London State Historic Park and the North Slope Trail stitches together a nine-mile showpiece stretch that’s ready to be explored.”
Time to dust off those hiking boots.
Getaways with Takeaways
Did you know a 30-minute workout is only about 2 percent of your day? Taking time (or lack thereof) into consideration, Meadowood Napa Valley has created two overnight offerings for those trying to include a little fitness into their lives. “Function Fitness” includes one night’s lodging for two, breakfast, a 30-minute total body workout (which focuses on getting a complete workout by combining strength/multi-muscle exercises and cardio for interval training and incorporating balance and flexibility for overall conditioning) and a plan for you to take home and use for a healthier, more energized way of life.
Its “Healthiest Year Yet” package is a lengthier, more comprehensive fitness getaway that includes two nights’ stay for two; a 90-minute, custom-tailored eco-fitness class; a 90-minute fitness assessment and personal training session including a take-home “prescription” to keep the momentum going after your stay; and unlimited fitness classes and sports on the property.
Both packages include a Meadowood garden juice blend after one of the workouts, not to mention Meadowood’s incredible scenery and hospitality that truly rounds out the feeling of a memorable getaway.
