The Hook-a-Kid-on-Golf summer program held by Suffolk Parks and Recreation and Sleepy Hole Golf Course experienced tremendous growth this year while it continued to introduce the sport to youths in the area.

“Last year, we only had 11 in the camp,” Suffolk Parks and Recreation’s Rob Ramos said. “This year, we had 28.”

The larger group, including boys and girls ranging in age from 7 to 13, was probably simply a by-product of increased awareness, Ramos said.

“I think this year we got the information out to the public a lot earlier,” he said. “I think that was our biggest point. We also did some more advertising for the camp.”

More than just attendance numbers, also making for a strong event were the attitudes of the youths.

Sleepy Hole Golf Course director of golf operations J.T. Belcher said he has always enjoyed working events like these, “especially when you get a good group that is into it, and this year is probably the best group we’ve had for Hook-a-Kid.”

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon, participants learned things like the etiquette of the game and basic swing technique.

“Throughout the week, we were on the driving range, so we worked on our drivers, we worked on our hybrids and our irons,” Ramos said. “That was about an hour each day.”

There were stations dedicated to putting, chipping and driving.

Many of the participants were brand new to the sport.

“I’d say probably 15 of those kids had never been on a golf course before,” Belcher said.

But some showed significant growth during the week, including 11-year-old Clarence Whitelaw and his 10-year-old brother, Christopher Whitelaw.

“That’s the first time they had ever had golf clubs,” Belcher said. “They hit some drives out there 180 yards.”

Some youths had specific reasons for coming out, like 13-year-old Betsy Pollard, who was the oldest participant.

“I wanted to learn how to play golf better so I could try out for the school team,” she said, referring to the Isle of Wight Academy junior varsity squad.

While some programs are more extended, Betsy’s mother, Lou Pollard, saw a benefit in Hook-a-Kid-on-Golf’s brevity. She said the concentrated effort required within the confines of a single week was probably better for someone her daughter’s age.

Clarence and Christopher Whitelaw’s grandmother Trannie Baskin brought them to the golf course each day. She praised the event for helping them be active and shared how else it was benefitting them.

“Christopher said self-control and patience and focus,” she said. “That’s what they’re getting out of it.”

And they also learned how golf is a game one can play all their life.

“That’s what Christopher told me,” she said. “He said, ‘Granny, you can play this one. It’s for the elderly.’”

The instructors took advantage of the good weather to increase participants’ course time, including playing holes in the best ball format.

“It was a little hot on Monday and Tuesday, but the rest of the week was absolutely perfect,” Belcher said.