By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— Registration is open for Ballantrae Golf Club’s 2016 Junior Golf Academy, and the club is hosting three separate sessions for interested students.

“What I’ve always tried to do with the juniors is I want them to have fun, I want them to make friends, but I also want them to learn the basic fundamentals of the game,” said PGA Golf Professional Jerry Applegate.

Applegate has been a golf professional in the Birmingham area for about 30 years, and he said the golf skills will be catered toward the experience level and age of the students.

All aspects of the game will be covered including full swing, short game and course etiquette.

Session 1, ages 7-9, will be taught from Tuesday, June 7 to Friday, June 10; Session 2, ages 10-12, will last from Tuesday, June 14 to Friday, June 17; and Session 3, ages 13-15, will be Tuesday, June 21 to Friday, June 24.

The cost of each session is $80 per junior, and the lessons will be held from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. at Ballantrae Golf Club each day. All sessions are open to boys and girls.

“In today’s marketplace and time period, kids are involved it a lot of different things… at golf camp we are trying to do the same thing,” Applegate said.

He said the golf academy is designed to be fun for the students while also developing the skills necessary for the students if decide to continue playing.

As a father of four boys who played golf, Applegate said he’s always spent time teaching the sport. He said his personality is laid-back, so it allows him to relate better to his students.

“They are so excited and willing to learn,” Applegate said. “You can see the excitement in their face, so I’ve just always enjoyed that aspect of teaching.”

Registration deadline is one week before each session. To register, contact the Ballantrae Golf Shop at 620- 4653 or email Head Professional Jerry Applegate at japplegate@pelhamonline.com.