Sports
Five Ponds Hosts Kids On The Hill Commencement Ceremony
The Kids on the Hill golf program had their final lunch for the summer at Five Ponds in Warminster. The program in conjunction with the Police Athletic League focuses on training young golfers as well as providing mentor-like services.
The Kids on the Hill golf program in association with the Police Athletic Leagues (PAL) of Philadelphia and Abington townships held their annual commencement banquet on Thursday at the golf course in Warminster.
The 64 young golfers in attendance enjoyed a beautiful day for golfing – first hitting the driving and putting ranges around noon. After working up an appetite, the members had a banquet lunch, after which, awards were presented to the aspiring golfers.
The Kids on the Hill golf program started in 2002 at the Cederbrook Hill Country Club by President Jim Sykes. In 2003, Sykes incorporated the help of the Philadelphia PAL to select candidates for the program. At that time, the five-week camp was conducted entirely at the Island Green Country Club.
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In 2005, the program expanded to incorporate Abington PAL with functions at Island Green, Spring Mill Country Club and Twining Valley Golf Club.
The program is completely free to those who join – founding is done in part by the Professional Golfer Association of America (PGA) – and open to all youths interested in the sport of golf. The mentors consist of PGA members, police officers, and volunteers.
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12-year-old Joey Bristow, of Philadelphia, has been participating in the program for three years. Bristow learned about the program from
neighborhood friends involved with the local PAL center.
“When I came here, and I really didn’t know much about golf,” Bristow said, “but the instructors are really good. They just kept me going.”
One of those people that kept Bristow going may very well have been helper Steven Ewing, 18, of Philadelphia. Ewing was first a member in the program nine years ago, but now helps the coaches.
“The PAL is a great organization,” Ewing said. “Five Ponds is one of the best courses I’ve ever played, I love Five Ponds.”
Ewing credits the program for improving his golfing technique and all the friendships that he has made through the program.
“If you have the opportunity to join a PAL; do it. It’s an amazing program,” Ewing said.
Five Ponds professional golfer, Gary Deetscreek, has been involved with the junior golf camp since its beginning. The day before the banquet, he closed the Five Ponds golf course for an hour to let members of the Kids on the Hill program golf.
“The best part for me is being able to be involved in that many kids’ lives,” Deetscreek said.
PAL is a non-profit corporation that features police officers helping children. Philadelphia PAL is comprised of 26 centers across the city. Each center is staffed by a group of police officers who are assigned full-time to direct activities and the young people. Programs include sport, educational, and cultural opportunities, according to the Philadelphia PAL website.
The program started in 1947 with Police Sgt. Gus Rangow and volunteer officers organizing local kids to play baseball and other sports. The program grew and became a non-profit organization in 1949.
Tony Daulerio has been a Philadelphia police officer for 30 years and has been working with PAL since 1991.
“It’s not just about golf,” Daulerio said, “It’s about learning and discipline. We teach them to respect people, respect the golf course, and respect their surroundings.”
