Saturday, August 31, 2024
As a Gatesville High School alumna herself, Kaylan Summers decided to give back to local youth by hosting a summer golf camp to teach various skills and techniques.
Summers graduated from Gatesville High School in 2019 after playing golf all four years of school. She was the MVP each year as well as being a four-time regional qualifier and a two-time state qualifier.
After graduating high school, she took a year off and then decided to play for one year at McLennan Community College after her break. Following graduation, she transferred to Texas Wesleyan and played for one more year.
Her journey with golf led her to host the camp, which she feels is important.
“My whole life revolved around this place,” she said. “This sport and community raised me; I wouldn't trade this life for the world.”
She believes that the camp was beneficial for the kids who don't have anyone they know that is involved in golf.
“I wish our community did more for youth golf like they do for other sports, so, I took it upon myself to help get our youth involved,” she said.
Summers’ sister Malorie Summers, and volunteers Avery Streetman and Fred Rhea, helped with the 38 kids who attended the camp.
“We also had a big donation of clubs and bags from a GHS alumni Hunter Gore who now works in the DFW area at Golf Roots,” she said. “They kindly donated over 50 clubs and four bags.”
Golf clubs were also donated by local members, trimmed down, and gripped by members and workers of the Gatesville Country Club.
“Ray Feight, our Gatesville Country Club pro, let us do this camp at no charge,” she said. “Our golf course made no money off our camp, and he is a big advocate for youth as well. I want to give thanks for him doing that for our kids.”
Within the three-day golf camp, attendees learned about areas on the course like the green, hole, tee box, driving range. They also gained knowledge regarding which clubs they need to drive, chip, and putt with.
“We talked about etiquette as well as basic swinging techniques,” she said.
Campers were also able to take part in a competitive drive, chip, and putt contest, and the winners were presented with awards during a ceremony to conclude the camp.
When referring to golf, Summers expressed that it is one of the only sports you can take with you for the rest of your life.
“It gives them the chance to learn and grow on their own,” she said. “All it takes is a stick, club, rod, something to swing and an open area to start learning.”
She mentioned that she plans to host many future events for local youth, which will be throughout the whole year.
“I'm working on some things and definitely learning as I go; I'm appreciative for all the cooperation in this process,” she said.
“This sport has brought me so many relationships and connections,” she said. “I've seen some pretty parts of the world being involved with this sport. I want to give every kid this opportunity to learn and have these same opportunities as I did.”
