Pebble Creek Golf Course stayed busy this week as they hosted the 2015 Fellowship of Christian Athletes Golf Camp.

 

Forty-three kids in grades 7-12 from all over the state converged on Becker for a three-day golf camp Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. Steve Whittaker and Dwight Lundeen were the camp’s hosts and teachers which also featured instructors from seven college players and 16 professional and semi-professional coaches and teachers of the game of golf.

 

Twnety-three people volunteered their time and resources to provide excellent golf instruction with a Christian focus. Two of those volunteers were Craig Waryan and Sheryl Maze who are master teachers - two of only five in the state of Minnesota.

 

“It’s been great learning new things about golf and the contests we play in are fun,” said Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa freshman Maddie Baker. 

“It’s nice to be around people of faith, too,” said Maddie’s teammate and friend Alyssa Dalen. 

 

Lundeen and Whittaker have been hosting the FCA Golf Camp for the last 27 years — the last 10 in their backyard course of Pebble Creek. Lundeen has been a part of FCA for over 40 years.

 

“It’s great to have the support of the golf course and the wonderful volunteers who love giving back to the youths in our state,” said Whittaker. “They love the kids and it’s inspiring to see them all willing to share their talents and their sincere faith.”

 

“The purpose of the camp is three-fold,” said Lundeen. “One, we teach the skills of golf. Two, we train young people how to be a person of high moral character and third we encourage young people to have a spiritual relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Not too many camps today will address all three of those during their camp.”

 

Since 1954, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes has challenged athletes and coaches to impact the world for Jesus Christ. Camps are a time of “inspiration and perspiration” for athletes and coaches who want to reach their potential through comprehensive athletic, spiritual and leadership training.

 

FCA is cultivating Christian principles in local communities nationwide by encouraging, equipping and empowering others to serve as examples and to make a difference. 

 

Several college students volunteer during the three-day camp to work with small groups and select leaders for the day’s activities. Some of the activities Lundeen and Whittaker had planned for the camp were improving one’s game through mechanics, psychology, managing the course, playing out of the sand, putting, pitching, chipping and understanding the rules of the game.

 

The camp also featured competitions including best shots, speed golf, night golf and a putting tournament. All participants and family members found lodging at the local Crossings by GrandStay Hotel in Becker.

 

A typical day at the camp includes, rise and shine at 7 a.m. followed by a well-rounded breakfast. Then comes the Chaplain's challenge, followed by 2.5 hours of clinic instruction before breaking for lunch.

 

In the afternoon, the students participate in a golf competition until it’s time for dinner. The kids gather for an evening activity and assemble into small groups and then have some free time before ending the day in their rooms.

 

“This camp has been life-changing for me,” said Kayla Borglund of White Bear Lake. “The golf has been wonderful and I’ve grown so much spiritually.”

 

Sam Lucio, Kayla’s high school friend, agrees.

 

“At this camp, you not only grow in your knowledge of the game of golf, but you grow in your faith,” she said.

 

Camp fees were $350 which included hotel stay, food (three meals a day), the golf range and 18 holes of golf each of the three days. Students came from all over the state including Belgrade, White Bear Lake, Mora, Sartell and Alexandria.

 

FCA is reaching over two million people annually on the professional, college, high school, junior high and youth levels and has grown into the largest interdenominational sports ministry in the world.