Young golfers get chance to play with the pros

Young Iowa golfers will have the chance to compete with some of the legends of the game of golf next month but to qualify, competitors will need to use the pen and not the putter. The 2005 Wells Fargo Junior Pro-Am will match 36 Iowa golfers between the ages and 12 and 18 will play a round of golf a member of the Champions Tour at the Tournament Club of Iowa in Polk City. To take part, junior golfers must submit a 100-to-200 word essay about the life lessons learned through the game of golf. Eric Brown has played in the last two events and the senior at West Des Moines Valley High School was awarded the top essay last year after writing about his grandfather and how he inspired him on and off the golf course. The pro-am is a non-scoring event and Brown says it is more about your love for the game than your ability to play it. Brown has played with PGA Tour veteran Mark Lye the past two years. He says he usually doesn’t get nervous, but was very nervous before playing. But, he says Lye made him feel comfortable on the golf course. Brownurges all those young golfers who may not feel they are good enough to give it a try. He says the reward is worth it.The pro-am is May 31st and all entries for the essay contest must be postmarked by April 25th.