By Dana Hudspeth, Media Relations Specialist
Chickasaw Nation Media Relations Office
Golfer lines up a shot
Golfer watches ball
Golfer follows through
THACKERVILLE- Okla. Six members of Team Chickasaw golf team hit the links at the 2009 FNGA (First Nations Golf Association) National Native Youth Golf Championship, hosted by WinStar Golf Course August 4, 5 and 6.
Thirty-one young golfers from around the United States, representing a host of Native tribes, qualified in various regional meets to participate in the tournament.
Overall, three members of Team Chickasaw placed in the national event.
In the boy’s Hawk division (ages 13-15), Team Chickasaw’s Jerrad Wilkins placed second and Austin McNeil placed third.
Team Chickasaw member Madeline Jack placed third in the girl’s Hawk division.
Other Team Chickasaw members who participated in the tournament include; Tyler McCollom and Chris McClendon in the 16-18 year old division and Jayson Hogland in the 13-15 year old division.
Chris Alford, Chickasaw Nation Division of Youth and Family recreations coordinator, said even though Team Chickasaw is a young team, all team members showed improvement.
“Our (Chickasaw) kids played well. Most scored better the second day than the first day, which is always a good sign.”
He added the event gives team members valuable experience on the greens.
“It is a great experience for our Native American youth to be able to have a national tournament designed strictly for them. The tournament is a venue for the youth to participate in; it gives them a chance to compete with others in their age group and allows them the opportunity to compete in a tournament with youth from all around the United States.”
Alford added the event grows each year.
“The national tournament had a good turn out this year, about double the number of participants than last year.”
Alford thanked FNGA tour members Ben Coffee and Bruce Palmer for lending their expertise to Team Chickasaw and mentoring the young players during the tournament. The men are also coaches at the summer Chickasaw Nation Golf Camp, he said.
Along with the tournament play, a career education fair and golf clinic was also conducted.
Tribes represented include the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, Prairie Band Potawatomi, Seminole/Creek, Mississippi Choctaw, Choctaw Nation, Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, Pueblo of Laguna, Shoshone, Paiute, Mono, Navajo, Western Cherokee and Pechanga Band of Luiseno.
The championship was played at WinStar Golf Course for the second consecutive year.
