Last week, we celebrated the winning spirit that runs through Ralph Myhre Golf Course. But that spirit is not measured only in trophies, tournament finishes or low scores. It also lives in the first swing of a four-year-old, the confidence of an adult stepping onto a golf course for the first time and the satisfaction of any golfer learning how to play just a little better.

That is why player development has become such an important part of what we do at Ralph Myhre.

Creating a Place to Begin

This season, we doubled down on creating opportunities for golfers of all ages, experience levels and goals. Our new Little Linksters camps welcomed children as young as four, providing a fun and approachable introduction to the game. At that age, it is not about perfect swings or keeping score. It is about building comfort, coordination and enthusiasm—and showing young players that the golf course can be a place where they belong.

Helping Junior Golfers Take the Next Step

We also continued our popular junior golf camps in partnership with Middlebury Parks & Recreation while adding advanced camps and clinics for young golfers interested in developing their skills and becoming more competitive. These programs allowed us to serve junior players across a much wider range—from those holding a club for the first time to those preparing for school teams, junior tournaments and other competitive opportunities.

This spring, we partnered with the Vermont State Women’s Golf Association to offer a special one-day event for girls, creating another welcoming pathway into the sport. We are also continuing to explore one-day programs that give golfers access to focused instruction without requiring a full camp or multi-week commitment.

More Ways to Learn

One example is our growing partnership with Golf Garage VT, which is helping us create additional developmental opportunities for young golfers. These collaborative programs combine focused instruction with practical learning and give participants another way to build their skills, confidence and understanding of the game.

Development Opportunities for Adults

Player development certainly is not limited to juniors. This year, we added several sessions of adult beginner clinics for those who had always wanted to try golf but were not sure where to begin. We also continued our ever-popular Hit & Sip women’s clinics, which offer a relaxed and social way to learn, practice and enjoy time at the course.

Instruction Tailored to You

For golfers looking for more individualized attention, Head Golf Professional Paul Politano and First Assistant Golf Professional Brennan Earls offer private lessons tailored to each player’s needs. Whether you are building a swing from the ground up, trying to correct a recurring problem or hoping to sharpen a particular part of your game, private instruction allows the lesson to be shaped around you.

Private group clinics are also becoming increasingly popular. Gather a few friends, family members or colleagues and enjoy a clinic designed specifically for your group. It is a comfortable, flexible and enjoyable way to learn together—whether everyone is brand new to golf or simply wants to improve.