May 23rd- Anyone need golf lessons?

May 23, 2017 Year 6 Day 23

FREE PRETZEL #23

Today was one of those days that I never knew if it was going to work out for me and the FREE PRETZEL recipient.  I have been doing this long enough to know that sometimes it just doesn't work out.  But I persevered in ninja-like stealth and I was able to surprise today's nominee...I think.  He had a few hints during the day.

Camden County Golf Academy (aka driving range on the water)

When I first met Andrew Pierson he was a wide-eyed sophomore dedicated to being a consistent starter on the Paul VI golf team.  Andrew played 3 years for me before graduating in 2008.  He averaged 43 for nine holes his senior year and led the team to a 10-8 record, my first over .500 as coach.  He also earned Olympic Conference National Division First Team.  He took this award and began his college golf career at Rutgers-Camden.  He started the rise of that program that has now won multiple division titles since he was a player and after he graduated has served as an assistant coach for the program for the past 5 years.

He is currently the pro at the Camden County Golf Academy in Pennsauken and has been working there for the past 8 years.  When I met him there today, he was wearing wading boots and had been using a boat to collect the driving range golf balls.  He mentioned that there was no wind and therefore the golf balls did not float back towards the range and therefore was a lot more work for him and his staff.  He seemed pleased to receive the FREE PRETZEL after I described to him why I was there.  At least it was a small break from collecting balls.

A nice break from work

Andrew was always one of my hardest working golfers I have ever had and he continues that hard work every day. He has been doing a pretty awesome job transforming the once run down facility into a usually crowded driving range and teaching facility.  It has a nice short game area and if you can look past the gaggles of geese that often gather nearby, it really is a nice place to practice and very reasonable priced.

Last summer, I started up a Paul VI golf camp for one week and the Golf Academy allowed me to use their facilities along with joining forces with Andrew.  His work with youngsters is unmatched as he has already been running camps from the facility for years.  After a slow sign up period, we were able to get 13-15 kids out and I considered it a success.  We are hoping to have even more kids this year for year two.  The camp will run from Monday July 17 to Thursday July 20th from 9 am-12 pm.

Here is sign up information: https://bbk12e1-cdn.myschoolcdn.com/ftpimages/611/misc/misc_140590.pdf

Andrew was also recently recognized by the Camden County Board of Freeholders for starting this:

http://southjerseyobserver.com/real-golf-lessons-at-camden-county-golf-academy/

Taking a snippet from the article, here is what Andrew started:

"The Camden County Recovery Encouragement Athletic Leagues (REAL) is offering a series of free golf lessons Tuesday nights beginning at 7:00 p.m. through May 9. No experience? No clubs? No problem.

The golf lessons are being given by a certified golf professional and are sponsored by the Camden County Freeholder Board’s Addiction Awareness Task Force. Camden County Freeholder Director Louis Cappelli said: “Golf is a great sport to learn to challenge your body and mind while in recovery. We know that no one is immune to the addiction of opiates and we must focus on prevention and treatment.”

Pretty awesome work Andrew.  I am extremely proud of Andrew and his accomplishments and it is nice to see so much good being done from a former player.  Congrats on all your have accomplished so far and good luck in the future, Andrew!

Until tomorrow...