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SPORTS: Tennant, New PGA Professional at Groton Country Club

Connecticut native James Tennant has joined the staff at Groton Country Club as head Golf Professional.

"I knew at the age of 14, this is what I wanted to do," shared Tennant who graduated from high school and went straight to PGA school.   

Tennant, currently a Class A PGA member, became a head professional at age 22, the youngest PGA pro in Connecticut history.

Asked why a golf club needs a professional golfer Tennant replied, "I have had a phenomenal learning experience working with two PGA professionals. The training helped me understand what works, what I liked and provided me an opportunity that I would not have received with a non PGA professional. You just don't see what we are going to see in Groton without a PGA professional."

Among Tennant's many honors is the award winning PGA Junior golf program he introduced in Farmington CT. "The awards are secondary," he commented.

Motivation behind the program was getting kids of junior golf age, eight to 12, access to a facility and correct equipment in order to learn the game. "I caddied as a kid and didn't have that opportunity.  In my program, when a youngster comes to me who has never played the game, I will give him/her a club that fits, not a cut down adult club. When they move on, they keep it."

In three or four years, Groton-Dunstable golf teams will be even stronger than they are now because the athletes will have a quality place to play and will learn from an experienced instructor.

Among plans for course improvement is extending the length of the driving range. "The addition of a substantial driving range at Groton would be beneficial on so many fronts," said Groton-Dunstable varsity girls/boys golf coach, David Bean.  "I don't like sending kids to area driving ranges because of safety issues with cars. Scattering the kids over the golf course to practice is less than desirable. With the extension to approximately 200 yards, 40-60 foot poles with netting, a ball dispenser, the range would be such an asset," agreed Bean.

"We interviewed 10 candidates," said long time resident and GCC member John Feeney who was part of the search committee to fill the golf pro position. "Tennant was the only one who was prepared. He had a resume which included his qualifications, awards, and the programs he had introduced.  References were checked, even beyond those that were listed. The comments regarding Tennant were positively glowing," recalls Feeney.

The second Annual Groton Country Club Open House will be May 17 and it will provide an opportunity for the community to meet the new PGA pro, tour the course, participate in putting/chipping contests, use the driving range, view the swim pool area, visit the renovated pro shop and the new Tavern at The Groton Country Club.

"My hope is that someday Groton (Country Club) has become an integral part of the community," concluded Tennant.

All are welcome of course, but a membership card to the GCC, well that would be special!

Groton Herald

Mailing Address
P.O. Box 610, Groton, Massachusetts 01450
 

Office
145 Main Street, Groton, Massachusetts 014510
[Prescott Community Center]
 

Telephone: 978-448-6061
 

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