Students from schools within the cluster of Galatea, Murupara and Te Urewera are finding their momentum in golf with an initiative created by the Murupara Golf Club.
30 students from the chosen schools have been coming to the Murupara Golf Club every Friday for an hour for the last two terms. The aim is to have fun and learn about the game of golf.
William Apirana from Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake o Tāwhiuau has learnt, "To keep your eyes on the ball when you're hitting it, stand straight and think about where you want to hit it."
Each student pays $2 for each lesson, which goes toward travelling costs for Bay of Plenty Golf's Mike Campbell from Tauranga to Murupara.
One of the key organisers Robert Eketone who teaches at Te Whaiti Nui-a-Toi school, says golf has taught so much to the children. He says, "From our school, the attendance has been huge because they just want to play golf, so that makes them want to come to school every day and the learning has been huge."
The hope for the Murupara Golf Club, teachers, parents and students here is to see them continue on with the sport either on a competitive or recreational level.