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Ethan Swafford works on his stance ....while Brittany Boles follows through.

A new interest is developing at the Tennessee School for the Deaf. TSD with the help, guidance and skills of Dean Marty Marine have started a golf team! T.S.D.G. (Tennessee School for the Deaf Golf) along with the PEG (Physical Education of Golf) program has begun the first phase to teach and instill the values and love for the game of golf. A PGA professional named Rob Stranos first established the PEG program for deaf residential programs. This instruction is not a system. It is not about teaching one way to swing a golf club. The PEG golf program is about the "easiest" way to play golf and swing the golf club. Mr. Stranos recognized that everyone is different, and different bodies produce different swings. There is not a blueprint for how, just fundamentals that allow individuals to make their most efficient golf swing! The PEG program is about teaching children the easiest way to reach his or her potential through proper fundamentals including:

• Structured Mechanics
• Logical and Sequential Learning
• Golf Etiquette
• Playing the Game
• Life Training Applications
• Academic Education

PEG was designed to help children learn golf and how to take skills learned to cope with the real world. The teaching program is innovative in numerous ways. It is visual and tactile which helps the deaf students learn at a faster rate and the program uses the layered teaching approach, which reinforces each lesson and important golfing skills.

The equipment is unusual and simple. The club is wider than normal and the weight of an iron, but it is plastic. Grips are color coded to teach proper hand and finger placement. In the systematic process, students are first taught the body set-up. This includes stance, followed by each motion through the wind-up and to the back swing. Correct balance of body and concentration are included. Students are taught to use their entire body and not just the upper torso. Positions are checked at each point and completed with the follow through. One very special piece of equipment lets the golfers "feel" that the arms are positioned correctly.

Beginning putting is played like a game. Smaller than normal tennis balls are rolled to a target on the gym floor. Flags mark the spot with colorful cones. This technique is used because putting involves judging how far to hit the ball and a pendulum type swing. No clubs are used to practice this skill in the beginning. The students were already showing improvement in accuracy and distance.

Golfers are required to attend 2-3 day a week practices. Head Coach Marty Marine along with Coach Jimmy Morton (Elementary) and Coach Brian Vogt (Middle School) are instructing the team. There are four students from Elementary and eight from the Middle School on the team.

Marty's second phase will include outside practice with real clubs and a net. Variety Charity, the Chapman Driving Range, and the T.D.G.A. (Tennessee Deaf Golfers Association) have donated clubs and other equipment for use. Mentors from TGDA will come and tutor students. Golf etiquette, rules, and score keeping will be taught. The "Wee" Course at Williams Creek near Holston Hills will be the home course for the Viking Golfers.

Long-range goals are plans for a tournament to raise awareness and monies for the new program. A banner is being designed for the team and shirts, bags, and golf shoes will be ordered. Look for the Viking Golfers banner along with the TGDA banner to be hanging on the practice net! Coach Marine looks forward to the future for this pilot program to become a true TSD golf team. Competitions and tournaments for our golfers will be a reality! Providing golf instruction will allow for future enjoyment and personal growth with the life long skill of playing the game of golf.

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