A Course for Students With Drive

There are some who might say the brand-new putting green and driving range at James Monroe Senior High School--the first at a Los Angeles public school--makes perfect sense.

After all, the North Hills school is the site of the Los Angeles Unified School District’s law and government magnet. They may be planning to mold a more perfect attorney.

But the goal of the $12,000 project, built with corporate donations and golf team fund-raising, was to bring golf to the masses, not just the few.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever hit a golf ball in my life,” said Kealoha Silva, 18, who spent a recent lunch break on the putting green. “It’s harder than it looks.”

As Tiger Woods--the former Anaheim Western High School standout--continues to mesmerize pro tour spectators, Monroe students who have never set foot on a golf course are getting a taste of the sport.

“We’re trying to break the stereotypes,” said Todd Tyni, a business teacher and golf coach at the school. “I’ve heard so many kids talk about Tiger Woods and say, ‘If he could do it, then maybe I could do it too.’ ”

Tyni had the idea for the driving range and green a decade ago when he started teaching at the school. The numbers of students coming out for the golf team were consistently low. Only 12 had joined the team at the beginning of this school year. Since the new facility opened last month the team has doubled in size.

“So many of our kids just don’t have access to golf,” said Tyni, whose brother is the head pro at Van Nuys Golf Course. “They aren’t going to go out to a course and pay $5 or $6 for a bucket of balls and to rent some equipment. I thought if I could just get them interested, it’s a game they can play for the rest of their lives.”

Paul David, executive vice president of the Washington-based Minority Golf Assn. of America, said Monroe High School has the right idea.

“Golf is an equalizer,” said David, who called the game corporate America’s favorite pastime. “You may go in from a disadvantaged background or as a minority for a job interview, and if you have down on your resume that you are an accomplished golfer with a two handicap, you’ve already caught their attention.”

Some might question if a school like Monroe, where one-third of the student body speaks limited English, really needs golf facilities.

“The answer is yes,” said David. “There is no other sport that builds kids’ self-esteem the same way. It is them against the sport and that gets carried back over into their schoolwork.”

Monroe High also boasts successful fencing, chess and mock court teams, as well as an on-site day-care center for children of its teenage students. Assistant Principal Thane Opfell said the variety of programs at Monroe has contributed to a decrease in the dropout rate, down to 9% this year from 13% in 1995-96.

“We try to meet the variety of needs and interests of our student body,” Opfell said. “Our principal, Joan Elam, has a vision of student achievement and tries to maximize curricular activities for kids.”

Tyni said he doesn’t believe the golf range--built on the school’s abandoned horticultural garden--would have been appropriate if it was funded with the school’s education money, but the money was raised by students specifically for golf.

“I think this was a chance for them to work toward a goal,” he said. “And they’ll also have to work toward maintaining the grounds. I think it has taught a lot of responsibility.”

It has also been a lot of fun. Juliana Froggatt, 17, said golf is something she’s wanted to try ever since junior high, when she wrote a report on golfer Babe Didrickson. Froggatt said she didn’t really think she’d have the chance to golf any time soon.

“I’ve miniature-golfed a lot with my family,” said the junior from Panorama City. “But I’m not really from a golf kind of neighborhood.”

Satit Pongsai, 15, also from Panorama City, said his parents didn’t believe him when he told them he was going to take up the sport. “They thought golf is supposed to be for rich people,” Pongsai said. “But they were wrong. Anyone can try it.”

Tyni said his counterpart at Garfield Senior High School has already talked to him about bringing a similar program to the East Los Angeles school.

“It’s the perfect place,” said Tyni. “The non-country club kids really should have a chance to learn this game.”

Recently, more than 30 students spent their lunch hour on the sun-filled patch of land. The old gardening shed is now full of donated golf equipment: clubs, balls and bags. Tyni said he plans to make up golf bags for students who show interest and promise, but who may not be able to buy new equipment right away.

Inspiration, said Tyni, is definitely not a problem.

“We almost have too many kids,” he said.

It is clear where much of the interest originates.

“I never saw a black man playing real golf before Tiger Woods,” said Silva, who plans to enlist in the military after graduation. “I think if he can do it maybe I can do it too. Maybe I’ll be the next Tiger Woods. The Hawaiian version.”

For Froggatt, who is taking the sixth-period golf class, the motivation is more immediate.

“I think it is gorgeous back here,” she said of the palm trees, neatly clipped putting green and towering wood posts that hold the driving range nets.

Tyni said he has bigger plans.

“Now,” he said. “If I can just get my hands on the football field.”