Tapping into the sport of golf may afford more green than covers the mowed course the game is played on.

Youth who play golf are able open doors to college scholarships and get a good footing in the business world, says Whitmire Recreation Director Beth Broom, who heads the town's Hook A Kid On Golf program.

“There are so many golf scholarships that go untouched because they don't know they're out there, and children don't normally pick up the sport of golf,“ says Broom. “If they do try and keep it up, they could get a scholarship to get into college.“

Moreover, students of golf also gain business aptitude for the outdoor conference room of sorts where many land business deals.

“With all the business decisions that are made, a lot of times they are made on the golf course,“ says Broom.

This season, 13 boys from ages eight to 13 are participating in the national Hook A Kid On Golf program through twice-a-week course practice on the Whitmire golf course.

The six-week season culminates with a Saturday tournament of four to six holes of golf in August, with golf cart use.

Youth's participation in the sport not only gears them towards financial gain, but also gives them a lifetime sport.

“Its something that they can use from now on,“ says Broom of recreation golf. “Its not like football where once you get to a certain age you usually don't play. Golf you can play all the way up to your 80's and 90's if you're up to it.“

There are two age groups within the program, the Tee Level for beginners and the Green Level for youth who have played golf before.

Though only boys have signed up this season, girls are also welcome.