Weiser golf camp gets youth excited about sport

Rolling Hills Golf Course hosted 68 kids the week of June 3-7 for the annual kids golf camp put on by Joe Malay and the Weiser Recreation Department.
 This year marked nearly 30 years of kids swinging clubs, yelling fore, and learning the game of golf. The age groups of the kids ranged from four to 18 years old.
 The first few days of the camp were spent learning how to putt on the putting green, how to swing a club at the driving range, and learning proper golf etiquette.
 On the last day, Friday, the kids got in groups and played a couple holes. Afterward came the grand finale of the whole camp – the prizes.
 Prizes were scattered about the putting green, each attached to a string. The strings all led to the edge of the green in a mixed-up pile where the kids choose one sting, pull it, and follow it to find out what prize is attached to the end of their string.
 Olivia Froshiesar, one of the campers, talked about her experience of the camp and Friday Prize Day.
 “It’s fun. I like the helpers. I won an ice cream machine,” she said.
 Sister Isabella Froshiesar showed similar feelings, saying, “I’ve done the camp for a really long time and Joe always puts a fun twist on it. Every single year there’s always a new surprise waiting around the corner. The helpers are always so kind and Joe always has amazing prizes.”
 Malay expressed how the anticipation of Friday prize day was one of his favorite things about putting on the camp. He loves seeing the kids get so excited throughout the week waiting to receive their prizes.
 Some of the big prizes included a six person float boat, an ice cream maker, a money tree, a big jar of M&Ms, a big jar of pickles and a watermelon.
 In addition to Friday Prize Day, the kids had other opportunities to receive some prizes by winning competitions.
 Malay said one of his highlights of the week was when a little girl made a long putt to win the money tree. As the only camper to knock her ball in the hole, the little girl was very excited and happy.
 “I have a weakness for kids,” Malay said. It’s one of the reasons he puts on the camp, along with recreation, teaching kids how to be safe, have fun, and love the game of golf.
 His biggest goal for the week is to have no injuries. It can get dangerous down at the range with four, five, and six year olds swinging golf clubs around each other if they’re not taught how to swing safely and stay safe distances away from each other.
 Faith Lee, who golfs on the Weiser High School girls team, volunteered to help with the camp and keep the kids safe at the range.
 “It’s awesome to have a golf camp in a small town with such a supporting and encouraging community. Joe does a really good job with the kids. He’s got a huge heart for kids and golf, and that’s all it took to make the camp amazing.”
 Malay, known for always wearing bright and colorful attire, has been involved in other programs put on for kids, including the Ho Ho Express during the holidays. He has a love for kids and has continued to put on this camp for the kids of the community for nearly three decades because of it.