So, you are thinking about taking up golf but not sure how to go about getting started. Or maybe you have played the game off and on for some time but are frustrated over not being able to fix that wicked slice.
Perhaps you have a son or daughter interested in golf and want to make sure they learn the proper fundamentals?
There is a simple solution to any or all of the above. Get some professional help.
More specifically, call Kurt Picard (549-1757) or Mitch Duncan (344-0205). Both have solid reputations as instructors and now are more accessible than ever through a partnership and agreements that have them giving lessons at both Babe Zaharias and Bayou Din.
Picard and his long-time protege, after many years of teaching at Games People Play in Beaumont, recently developed an LLC aimed at helping improve and grow the game of golf in Southeast Texas. KAM, which is short for the Kurt and Mitch Golf Academy, then entered into working agreements with George Brown of Aquila Golf to work out of its facilities.
Babe Zaharias pro Ed Campbell, because he is familiar with their work, is enthused about what it all means to the sport he’s been involved with all his life.
“These guys are good at what they do,” says Campbell. “What impresses me is the way they keep their instruction as simple as possible. They communicate about as well as anybody I’ve watched. They can help golfers of all skill levels get better. Hopefully they can create new players.”
Picard, a native of Lafayette, Louisiana, who took his first big steps toward becoming a teaching pro under Bob Langley in Greenville, Mississippi, moved to the Golden Triangle in the late 1990s. He was head pro at Belle Oaks for a while, moved on to Bayou Din, then went to Games People Play as a full-time instructor.
Duncan, who was reared in the Little Cypress area, approached Picard in the early 2000s about becoming an apprentice. They have been together ever since, with Duncan developing his own teaching style. Not surprisingly, it pretty much mirrors the guy who taught him most of what he knows.
“Mitch has become an excellent teacher,” Picard says. “His methodology is close to mine. Either one of us could look at the other’s student and know exactly where they are in the process.”
Both Picard and Duncan are in total agreement that kids are the easiest to work with, because they are an open book and have more time to follow up on lessons. After that, the duo feel they have the most success with adults who have never played the game. Then its golfers who have been playing for years.
Teaching an old dog new tricks can be difficult, but it can also be extremely satisfying. They strongly encourage anybody of any age who wants to shoot lower scores and enjoy the game more to give them a shot.
The future of golf, of course, is young people, and both are encouraged by what they are seeing in Southeast Texas. They are quick to credit Jerry Honza, executive director of the First Tee of the Golden Triangle, for his efforts in increasing interest and creating opportunities.
“We are seeing more good young players,” says Duncan. “There is a lot more competition to make high school teams and a lot more depth on those teams. It is so much fun to teach kids who have the desire and the work ethic to get better. With kids, you say it and they do it.”
Picard is understandably reluctant to single out any one pupil as his most satisfying project. Duncan’s top student, meanwhile, is so obvious anyone who is around area golf knows the name. PN-G junior Karlei Hemler has blossomed in her two years with Duncan. With Braden Bailey having moved on to Baylor, she is now the dominant junior in the area.

KAM academy affordable for local golfers

This is the second part of Bob West’s golf column for the week. Kurt Picard and Mitch Duncan are offering golf lessons at Babe Zaharias and Bayou Din courses.

Like greens fees in Southeast Texas compared to the Houston area, the rates charged by Kurt Picard and Mitch Duncan are a bargain. Kurt gets $80 an hour for adults, with the price $60 for high school age and below. Duncan’s fees are $70 and $50. That includes range balls, video and on-course instruction. Also stressed is the all-important mental aspect of the game.
“Once a student gets the fundamentals down, we start talking about the mental part,” Duncan advised. “We are also big believers in drills over training aids, in pre-shot routines and in creating ways to help deal with pressure in on-course situations.
The No. 1 lament in the KAM camp is the lack of women participating in area golf.
“Ladies account for roughly three to five percent of our students,” Picard said. “We would like to get that number up. We are trying to do it through clinics. We currently have 12 ladies taking part in a clinic at Babe Zaharias.
What we’ve found is that women are perfectionists. Our challenge is to make
the game more fun for them.”
CHIP SHOTS
Nederland exes Shelbi Vincent and Hunter Huff posted the low scores for the University of Houston-Victoria women’s and men’s teams in the recent Alamo City Classic in San Antonio hosted by Trinity University. Vincent carded rounds of 80-75 for a 36-hole score of 155 that was good for fifth among all players. Huff, playing in his first tournament, posted a 150 (78-72) that was low for UHV and 18th overall. …
The team of Adam Noel, Mark Petry, Tom Bourgeous and a ghost partner rolled up 19 points to win the Babe Zaharias DogFight. Second with 18 points was the foursome of Darrell Latiolais, Dillard
Darbonne, Ray Trahan and Charlie Huckaby. Closest to the pin winners were Trahan (No 2), Jimmy Thompson (No. 7), Earl Richard (No. 12) and Jeff Lane (No. 15). …
The Thursday Senior Game at The Babe employed stroke play, with golfers flighted by handicap. In First Flight, Joe Gongora, Larry Thompson and Larry Stansbury all shot net 73s to tie for first. In Second Flight, Rodney Christman won with a net 68, edging Don MacNeil, Dillard Darbonne and Mark
Petry by two strokes.
Harold Wilkson’s net 66 won Third Flight by two strokes over Ron Overstreet. Petry was the closest to the pin winner on both No. 2 and No. 12.
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Golf news should be emailed to rdwest@usa.net