Summer evenings at Yampa Valley Golf Course in Craig now feature a new generation of golfers taking their first swings.

For organizer and mentor Trinidad Loya, that sight is a dream come true.

“This is the second year we’ve done the junior golf program,” said Loya. “I have a great bunch of volunteers that are helping get the kids into it while learning fundamentals.”

The workshops are held Monday nights in June from 6 to 7 p.m. and are open to youth ages 5 to 18. Objectives of the program include skill improvement, increased confidence, peer engagement, purpose-based socialization, health and fitness and life skills.

Loya’s passion for the program is rooted in his love for the game as well as a commitment to youth in the community. A former golf course board member, Loya helped secure a $100,000 grant from the Local Marketing District to support course improvements. 

But his deeper mission is to grow the sport among kids who may not otherwise have access.

“My son is six years old right now and ever since he was able to walk, I’ve had him out with the golf club,” Loya said. “I really enjoy golf and wan to pass that on and give it as a hobby for some of the kids who don’t have that ability to get out there.”

The junior program is designed to be accessible and inclusive, with drop-in clinics costing just $5. Kids are grouped by age and are guided by a group of dedicated community volunteers who want to share their love for the game.

Together, the team’s goal is not just to teach golf, but to light a fire.

“We’re trying to make this program fun and exciting,” Loya said. “It’s turning into something that we could only dream of.”

For Loya, golf’s value goes beyond technique.

“I would say it’s one of those sports where you have to master your craft for it,” he said. “You can fight your battles on the course and just learn how to calm your nerves and calm your tempo. I think it just helps a younger kid develop and put themselves into situations that are pretty much unseen but help them build character.”

Loya draws from his own childhood experiences of playing soccer, basketball and boxing, all of which helped to shape his drive to create programs that teach independence, patience and focus.

To keep kids interested, Loya emphasizes fun and confidence-building.

“You want them to go from barely swinging the club, or missing the ball, to getting contact with the ball and seeing it fly in the air and give you that look that says, ‘hey, something’s changing and I’m getting better at this.’ I saw that with my son.”

Loya’s son Camden, who is six, has already hit shots over 100 yards.

“I’ve seen him hit the ball 120 yards and it is amazing to see,” Loya said. “It is fun and exciting.” 

The youth golf program at the Yampa Valley Golf Course culminates in a Drive, Chip and Putt challenge that mirrors national youth competitions and also features prize giveaways, a barbecue and most importantly another opportunity for youth and their mentors to come together and celebrate the community that comes with the game. 

This year, they’re also launching a new junior-parent and junior-mentor tournament to strengthen generational connections through golf.

“We’re trying to keep it a junior golfer and parent kind of thing where they have to rely on each other,” Loya said. “I think that will be another yearly thing.”

Community sponsorships have helped keep the program affordable, with funds going toward events, gear and even custom goodie bags. Participants are provided clubs if they don’t have their own.

“Keeping it fun and affordable makes it more like a family event,” he said. “Sports are expensive and having supporters has been so important to the program.”

The program’s location at the Yampa Valley Golf Course is an extension of the venue’s vital role in local recreation as well as in the community for both youth and adults.

“It just gives them that outlet where everyone can have fun with friends and adults,” he said. “It is something that you can play at a vast age group.”

But for Loya, the greatest reward is watching kids find joy in the game.

“I get that wonderful feeling pretty much every time we’re out there,” he said. “It is cool to see their faces when they actually get ahold of the ball, get a chip or sink a putt.”

Parents have said the program is one of the best organized activities for kids in the area, with many praising the way different age groups are able to work together in a structured environment.

“That feedback is everything to all the volunteers,” he added. “For us, it builds a solid foundation.”

For more information or to register, contact the Yampa Valley Gold Course pro shop at 970-824-3673 or Trinidad Loya at 970-291-8535. Sponsorships packets are also available for those interested.