Atchison junior golf program draws 56 young players this summer

Fifty-six Atchison-area young players spent five weeks this summer in a junior golf program built around structure, instruction and a familiar local venue at The Atchison Golf Club at Bellevue.

The eighth annual program served children ages 8 through 17 and met every Tuesday in June. Its sessions covered rules, etiquette, woods, irons, chipping and putting, giving beginners a place to learn the game while older participants could sharpen skills they already had. The final day included photos, awards, prize drawings, lunch at The Bunker and swimming at Bellevue.

Program director Jane Ann Biffinger has helped keep the program going each spring because of her own love of golf, giving the effort a volunteer-driven feel that sets it apart from a commercial youth camp. That approach has helped make the program part of the county’s summer routine for families looking for supervised recreation that stays affordable and local.

The setting matters as much as the instruction. Atchison Golf Club at Bellevue says it was established in 1923 and describes its course as a historic 18-hole par-71 layout in the rolling hills overlooking the Missouri River valley. For Atchison children, that means junior golf is not being taught on a temporary practice field, but at a long-standing community landmark tied to the city’s landscape and golf history.

The program was run in partnership with the Atchison Recreation Commission and Club for Kids, connecting it to the broader network of youth activities in the county. The recreation commission says it offers something for everyone, and junior golf fit that mission by giving children a steady weekly commitment, outdoor exercise and adult mentorship during the summer months.

For families, the draw is practical as well as recreational. Five weeks is long enough to build routine, but short enough to fit into a summer schedule. The age range also allows the program to serve children who are just starting out alongside teens who may be ready for more competitive play.

The turnout of 56 young competitors suggests more than interest in golf alone. It points to a wider need for youth recreation options in Atchison County that are structured, supervised and close to home, especially during months when families are looking for safe ways to keep kids active and connected.