LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - From how to successfully putt a ball to future career opportunities related to the sport, a group of Fort Simpson students looked at the inner workings of golf this month.

Conan Donahue demonstrates a chipping technique on June 18 while offering golf lessons in Fort Simpson at the Seven Spruce Golf Course. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

For the final four days of classes, Thomas Simpson School offered students a choice between seven career and technology studies courses. One of the courses, which are designed to help students explore career opportunities, develop skills they can use regularly and use technology, was devoted to golf.

The school, together with the Mackenzie Recreation Association, brought Conan Donahue in from Behchoko to lead the course from June 16 to 22. Donahue has experience as a former teaching professional at the United States Golf Academy.

Eight students started the course in the classroom doing projects on career opportunities related to the sport. There are approximately 50 careers, apart from being a player, related a variety of areas including golf course management, equipment and sales, said Donahue. The students also learned what's involved in running a golf tournament and designed promotional posters for their own tournament that they planned to compete in on June 22.

The lessons then moved to the Seven Spruce Golf Course.

Donahue led the group through the basics of the sport including how to grip a club and how to make the necessary shots, including a full swing, pitching, chipping and putting.

"They were doing really well," he said.

The experience level among the group ranged from having never held a club before to playing regularly. The students were picking up the new skills and using them, said Kristen Morrison, a teacher who accompanied the group.

"He's awesome with the kids," Morrison said about Donahue.

Donahue demonstrates a variety of techniques to the students and lets them choose which to use. That approach makes them want to learn even more, she said.

"They're really enjoying themselves," she said.

This is the second year Donahue has led a career and technology studies course on golf in Fort Simpson. The course is great because it provides a way to introduce youths to a new sport and career opportunities, he said. As more young people play it also helps to strengthen the local club, he said.

During his time in the village Donahue also volunteered to give golf lessons at the course on June 16 during ladies night and on June 18 for anyone who was interested.

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