lessonspin
golf is fun ... live it
Gamon Manne
PGA Professional
(here with son Alston)
28
Gamon Manne has been featured quite
a bit in the last few months of Backspin.
He’s been a busy man. From caddying for
his son Alston for U.S. Kids to adopting his
first family dog and serving as our “pro”
representing that wonderful contribution to
controlling the pet population, he’s got a lot
going on.
Backspin Publisher Jake Narro’s exit
from The Country Club of Louisiana was
bitter sweet. His last club professional job
before taking on the challenge of serving as
head golf coach at Southeastern Louisiana
University, Jake said leaving was difficult.
“Gamon and I worked together at New
Orleans Country Club several years ago,
and when he offered me the job to work as
his assistant, I jumped at the opportunity,”
said Narro. “Gamon is truly a professional,
and it’s a pleasure working with him. His
members love him, and he works hard every
day to grow the game of golf.”
Those who know Gamon well realize
he has a wonderful sense of humor, which
makes him the perfect teacher for those
in this month’s lessonspin. Gamon held a
Mardi Gras Camp, and the kids had to aim
for a piñata. Additionally, Gamon and one of
his assistants, Ian Wenzel, set up cones on the
course for an obstacle course.
“The junior golf camps/clinics we offer at
CCLA have immensely changed over time”
Manne said. “The days of beating balls for
hours on end have ceased. They had to. It
was either change or watch the growth and
development of the game decline.”
Manne says the golf professionals at
CCLA focus on developing athletes while
integrating golf and, most importantly,
having fun.
“We implement different skills challenges
like throwing a football at a target or hitting
whiffle balls off a tee,” he says. “The kids are
having a blast and don’t even realize that we
are developing their ability to create power,
speed and balance.”
These are all necessary traits to play any
sport or activity, Manne says. “There is a great
article by TPI (Titleist Performance Institute)
that talks about this very thing. They are
quoted in saying, ‘Multi-sport development
is the embodiment of the model we preach
at TPI. Develop the athlete first, then the
golfer.’”
So the lesson of the month? Don’t take
it too seriously. Challenge the game, but
remember that this is supposed to be fun. If
you’re not playing well, find a way to make it
enjoyable anyway.