AIMING TO HELP GOLFERS MAKE THE GRADE: Legacy High and Stanford alum Steve Ziegler, pictured at the 2009 Palmer Cup at Cherry Hills Country Club, is joining with other local high school graduate golfers to present a college prep golf clinic next week at Eagle Trace Golf Course. (Karl Gehring / The Denver Post)
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For more information on the college prep golf clinic, call Eagle Trace Golf Course at 303-466-3322 or Steve Ziegler at 303-589-5825.
Steve Ziegler has been there and done that.
The former Legacy High School state champion golfer is now giving back to the community and the game that has opened so many doors for him.
He and former area players Lara Pocs (Holy Family), Ryan Eres (Broomfield) and Bryce Babcock (Legacy) are putting together the first annual College Prep Clinic Wednesday through Friday at Eagle Trace Golf Club.
"We were all successful collegiate golfers and the thing we are stressing is what it takes," said Ziegler, who played his college golf at Stanford. "This is all about what they need to do to achieve their next goals.
"It's a junior golf clinic at heart, but the main things we are stressing are education and integrity."
Kids ages 12 and younger will attend the clinic from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and those 13 and older from 1 to 4 p.m.
There is just going out and hitting balls on the range and then there is having a practice routine that could take your game to a whole new level. That is some of the instruction and knowledge the foursome will look to impart on willing minds. And it come at just the right time for would-be high school players.
With tryouts just around the corner, Ziegler hopes the clinic can give those kids a slight advantage.
"There are many high school coaches that are avid golfers and they are good golfers, but they don't have the tangible experience of having been there and knowing the different things that will arise," said Ziegler, who has spent some time playing on mini tours throughout the country.
" It is very difficult to balance school and golf. The collegiate golfer goes through things the professional doesn't, and I know that because I've done both ? I've played in Q-school and played in a Tour event. I really think it is something the kids can benefit from and we can offer it to them at a price in which you would normally get one lesson."
The prestigious Stanford Junior Camps, the model Ziegler will use for his three-day camp for $150, went over the basics of the game from putting, chipping, pitching and sand shots. But more importantly the mindful aspects from course management, rules and etiquette.
"All along we are stressing the core education values, the stuff that actually goes into being a collegiate golfer, beyond just shooting scores," said Ziegler, who graduated from Stanford in 2011. "That is very important and we want them to be able to get to that point, too. That's a pure joy we know. But basically what I'm trying to do is to emulate what my experience was at Stanford and those junior clinics were just phenomenal."
Ziegler's years in Palo Alto afforded him the opportunity not only to play golf at a higher level, but the chance to mingle with dignitaries, financial gurus and some of golfs greatest names ... including former Cardinal Tiger Woods. All things he dreamed about as a child, but through hard work and dedication turned into a reality as an adult.
"It sounds weird to correlate a game with life, but it is so true. I never realized how much has been afforded to me by the game. That is why I feel so indebted to it and giving back," he said.
"I want other kids to achieve that and see where it can go and if I can help proliferate that some way."
Follow Jon on Twitter: @JonEYunt.
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