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After gym, third-graders ready to hit the links

Emmons Lake Elementary third-graders learn how to play golf in gym class

Caledonia — Emmons Lake Elementary third-graders recently had a “par-tee” in a gym class while learning golf fundamentals.

At a putting station, Matilda Doyle stood with her feet spread extra-wide apart because, as she claimed, it was the best stance to ensure a hole in one.

Next to her, Grayson Zink held up a brightly colored golf ball and said, “This ball is going to give me more luck.” 

With his next swing, he got a hole-in-one, followed by three more.

“Four in a row!” he cheered.

Gym teacher Paul Waneless said he wanted to try something new and different with his students to teach the fundamentals of a potential lifelong sport. 

“I’m really excited for this unit and to expose students to golf,” he said. “Hopefully, I get them hooked on something they can build their skills on through life.

“Some students think (golf) is easy, but it’s a challenging sport.”

Using district bond funds allocated to Emmons Lake, Waneless purchased putting pads and cups, a short putting green and a variety of golf clubs sized for kids. 

During their bi-weekly gym visits, students rotated between five stations to practice what they learned. The stations featured a putt-putt golf course hole constructed from traffic cones, pool noodles and lots of duct tape. 

Third-grader Hudson Miedema said practicing his swing at the putt-putt station helped improve his aim. 

His classmate Karly Le observed, “When I hit it, the ball goes all the way over there. If I hit it soft, it may only go halfway. It’s impossible.” 

Waneless’ instruction included key rules of the game, like the fact that the lowest score wins, and how to swing a golf club like a clock’s pendulum. 

“Tick, tock. Tick back and tock forward,” he said while demonstrating the movement. “It’s not a fast swing, it’s a slow-tempo swing.”

At the end of the unit, Waneless said each class will put their new skills to the test and compete against each other in a mini-golf championship.  

Matilda reflected on what she’s learned about the game of golf during gym class: “If you keep trying, then you’ll get better and better and you’ll make the shot.”

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Alexis Stark
Alexis Stark
Alexis Stark is a reporter covering Byron Center, Caledonia, Godfrey-Lee, Kenowa Hills and Thornapple Kellogg. She grew up in metro Detroit and her journalism journey brought her west to Grand Rapids via Michigan State University where she covered features and campus news for The State News. She also co-authored three 100-question guides to increase understanding and awareness of various human identities, through the MSU School of Journalism. Following graduation, she worked as a beat reporter for The Ann Arbor News, covering stories on education, community, prison arts and poetry, before finding her calling in education reporting and landing at SNN. Alexis is also the author of a poetry chapbook, “Learning to Sleep in the Middle of the Bed.”

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