Juniors in Swing of Things

Kids show up by the dozens at Tijeras Creek Golf Club nearly every afternoon, setting up shop at the driving range or on the practice green.

Many of them, ages 8-18, will make their way to the starter, looking to get out on the course for a quick nine holes.

What happens next may surprise you.

“I spend about three or four hours a day over there and never get hassled,” said 15-year-old Joseph Kim of Aliso Viejo.

Not too long ago, the starter’s window at most courses would be considered unapproachable for youngsters. But with programs like the one at Tijeras Creek in Rancho Santa Margarita, kids are feeling more at home on the golf course.

“It’s great,” Kim said. “At Tijeras . . . we’re friends with all the staff members. It’s real easy going.”

But junior players aren’t always welcome.

Some argue that the presence of youngsters discourages older customers, who gripe that juniors are guilty of rude, reckless behavior and slow play.

Tijeras Creek--one of the most elite public golf courses in Orange County--is one of the few aggressively courting younger players. That effort, spearheaded by General Manager Jennifer Alderson offers several options for youngsters.

An after-school pass costs $349 and allows juniors to play nine holes after 3 p.m. on weekdays during the school year. A summer pass costs $399 and allows juniors to play unlimited golf Monday through Thursday. Passes includes 60 buckets of range balls.

Juniors can also play for free with a paying adult any day after twilight hours. The adult twilight rate is $80.

“When I got here three years ago, I looked at the junior golf programs in Southern California and I was really disappointed,” said Alderson, who is from Montana, where she said golfers are allowed course access at early ages. “In Montana, golfers are groomed from early on and I was just wanting to make a dent and make a difference out here.”

Alderson said her one regret is that she must limit the number of passes to 150. She said she could have sold up to 200 or more passes for the summer, but that would not allow much time for regular paying customers.

She called on other courses to follow Tijeras’ lead.

“We’re trying to set the example,” Alderson. “All the courses have an obligation to junior golf and we’re doing our part, but we can’t meet the demand for the whole county.”

The attitude toward junior golfers is slowly improving. But Zach Cohn, a top player for Villa Park High, is only too aware that teenagers aren’t always welcome.

It wasn’t long ago that Cohn arranged for his parents to check in for him at the starters window. When Cohn showed up alone, starters would often bump the junior golfer’s tee-off time in favor of more established players.

“Certain courses push us back,” said Cohn, who now sticks to teen-friendly courses such as Anaheim Hills and Green River. “There are some courses that do cater to juniors and I go out there and play, no problem.”

Tustin Ranch is also popular with youngsters. It offers a year-round pass for juniors: $850 for unlimited play after noon.

Encouraging youngsters to play golf is simply good for business, some say.

“The future of golf is driven by getting juniors into the game,” said Tustin Ranch General Manager Mike Lichty. “Every course should be providing a junior rate. Those that aren’t are pretty insensitive. It sends a message that they don’t care about the developmental aspects of golf.”

Of the 31 daily-fee courses in Orange County, 22 offer some type of junior discount. But the prices can still be steep--and discouraging.

At Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, where normal adult rates are $250, a junior can play free with an adult and the adult pays only $50, but the discount is good only after 5 p.m.--barely enough daylight to finish nine holes.

Oak Creek and Strawberry Farms in Irvine charge adults $95 on weekdays. Both allow juniors to play for $20 after 4:30 p.m.

“Is it a genuine effort to give juniors a break or a token gesture?” asked Kevin Ostroske, Metropolitan Director of Junior Golf for the SCPGA. “I can’t make that call.”

Some courses say discounts aren’t needed because their rates are low enough.

Mile Square general manager Scott Chaffin pointed out that the regular green fees, which are $26 on weekdays, are already among the lowest in the county.

“It’s affordable even for youngsters,” he said.

The stereotype of the junior golfer as not well-behaved and not fully aware of golf golf etiquette is hard to overcome, but at Tijeras Creek, juniors must earn their welcome with good behavior.

Tijeras Creek junior pass holders are required to sign a list of 10 commandments. “Sins” include swearing, littering, club throwing, improper attire and breaches in general course etiquette, such as not raking sand traps and leaving ball marks unrepaired.

Penalties for a breach is loss of playing privileges.

“The first year I yanked eight passes,” Alderson said. “After that, there hasn’t been much of a problem. The kids all kind of blend right in now.”

And when they do, kids--and their parents--notice.

“Junior golf has to be an attitude,” Alderson said. “You can walk into a facility and know right away if they are junior-friendly. The kids can tell when you don’t mean it, and parents can, too.”