Maplewood Women Learn Game In Relaxed Environment

At Maplewood Country Club, inexperienced female golfers are being indoctrinated in all aspects of the sport in a fun and friendly environment.

The “Maplewood Newcomers” clinic is conducted for nearly two hours each Tuesday morning for seven weeks, starting with golf course etiquette and basics, to one session each of putting and chipping, pitching, woods, short game and full swing review, and two sessions of learning to play on the course.

The clinic, which runs from April 28 to June 8, is the idea of head professional Mike Kierner, now in his fourth season at Maplewood.

A flyer he has circulated around the club has appeal for women new to the game:

Ladies, if you are a new or inexperienced golfer, intimidated by the game or looking for others to learn the game with, Maplewood Newcomers is for you. Come out for this complimentary program and join others in a fun and relaxed no-pressure atmosphere. After going through the program, each participant will be experienced, comfortable and ready to use all of our golf facilities.

“Two winters ago, I was trying to come up with something that would attract more women to our program. I wanted them to become comfortable with their golf clubs,” said Kierner, who has eight women taking part this spring. Many of them are new members to Maplewood C.C.

“The idea is that some will graduate from the program and eventually join the 9-Holers, then the 18-Holers. Right now, we ask for nothing more than the ladies being able to play three holes by the end of the clinic, and then they’re off and running by themselves,” said Kierner, who conducts the sessions along with assistant pro Mary Ring.

“We would also like them to get comfortable enough with their clubs that they can play with their husbands on weekends.”

Kierner stated that Maplewood has added up to 25 new members to the club this offseason.

“Part of the idea is adding more members to the club and retaining them. Four of the participants from last year have joined the 9-Holers,” he said.

Many of the participants have wanted to learn to golf.

“This is a non-threatening way to ease into it,” said new member Diane Mogan.

“I now have the time to do this. It’s nice of the club to offer it,” Jeannine Redd stated.