June 6, 2021

Jay Wells Reflects on the Future of TGC, Our Youth

As a member of the TGC Board the last several years, I’ve had a front row seat to the revitalization of Ticonderoga Golf Course. Without a doubt, this year has been the most exciting yet with the opening of Seymour’s Restaurant, the Tap Room, and the new Pro-shop. New buildings, of course, are new beginnings, and with them comes a tremendous amount of hope.

When I returned to Ticonderoga after college, having married my high school sweetheart, I chose a career path that followed in the footsteps of my Dad, a longtime Gym Teacher and Athletic Director in Ticonderoga Central School District. My father always showed a commitment to youth that I admired, and many of his students as well as those he coached looked up to him. He cared about making life better for Ti students.

As an Educator in Ticonderoga, I have the unique opportunity to see the positive impact that community-minded people can have on our kids. TGC’s investment in the course and clubhouse has been nothing short of amazing, and I couldn’t be happier to see the growing number of youth present at the course.

TGC is personal to me. Yes, I own a business nearby where a lot of young people come to play mini-golf and learn how to swing a club. What makes me most happy, though, is to see those same kids make the trek up the road to the first tee. Some of my happiest memories during childhood were playing golf with longtime friends like Joe Hiro, who rarely lets me forget that he took home the Junior Club Championship in the late ’90s. I played 18, sometimes 36-holes with Dan Shaw and my brother, Jim, and many others who have become great friends over the years. Later, I have been privileged to play with Ed Kennedy, my longtime league partner, Paul and Jane Ingrey, and Paul and Jayne Brauner. I am fortunate to have made many friends over the years at TGC.

 

For the last several years, I’ve been the golf coach in Ticonderoga, and it’s fun to see some of those kids lower their handicap. I think about Kimmy Wojcik, Clay Spaulding, Bobby Condit, Connor Lauzon, and Ben Swajger. These are kids who have learned from the game of golf – who have experienced lifetime values like honesty, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, perseverance, courtesy, and judgment.

That’s why I’m so excited to see more and more junior permit holders at TGC – a record number in 2021. The Board is committed to keeping the permit price low for juniors because it’s a place where kids can be kids, discover a lifelong sport, and meet some great people.

If you are a permit owner at TGC, when you see a junior, please thank them for being there. They are the future of our course. And if you’re a young person who wants to learn the game of golf, give me a call. There is a program for you at TGC – whether that be golf teams, golf camp, tournaments, a lesson at the range, or an opportunity to putt on one of the greens. We want you – our youth – to grow with our new course and new facility.
Categories: General News

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