Courtesy of Adam Fisher
Naples Daily News

NAPLES, Fla. -- Golfers young and old of all skill levels were able to learn from some of the top professionals in the world Friday at the Arthrex Family Golf Clinic following the first round of the Franklin Templeton Shootout at Tiburón Golf Course.

Among the roughly 100 junior golfers in the crowd, most who play in the First Tee of Naples/Collier program, Amy Valdes likely was the most inexperienced. The 11-year-old fifth-grader at Lely Elementary just picked up the game a month ago, but that only means she had the most to learn at the clinic.

Valdez, along with the other youngsters, looked on in awe as Greg Norman, Scott McCarron, Camilo Villegas and fan-favorite Rickie Fowler hit shots, answered questions and entertained the kids as well as their parents.

"It was an honor to be up close to them and know how they think and play golf," Valdez said.

Children ranging from toddlers to high school seniors stood around as the pros, who played in the Shootout, showed off their skills and gave plenty of tips.

They also had a chance to cut up, with the 46-year-old McCarron as the ringleader.

Greg Norman, Scott McCarron, Camilo Villegas and Rickie Fowler hit shots, answered questions and entertained the kids as well as their parents.

McCarron drew plenty of laughs when he said his first course was Pirates Cove miniature golf. When an elementary school girl asked Fowler, 22, what his favorite club was, McCarron deadpanned, "Night clubbin'."

One interested junior golf asked when the pros started playing, and Fowler said he picked up the game when he was 3.

"When was that, about four or five years ago," McCarron cracked.

While the clinic was mostly entertainment, there were plenty of lessons. Villegas told the kids about the important of fitness and nutrition, while Norman advocated stretching. Fowler revealed that he prefers to practice by playing rounds rather than going to the driving range or putting green.

"It was really fun and insightful," said Grant Taleck, 15, a freshman on the Naples High golf team this fall. "It was cool to see their attitude toward the game. The must love the game since they're out here trying to help us."

The children and their parents also were treated to a trick shot exhibition from Mike Calbot, the director of instruction at Old Corkscrew who is known as the Golf Doctor. A pro for 43 years, Calbot teaches and puts on shows around the world and just returned from an exhibition in Egypt.

Ian and Olivia Wivestad have been playing golf most of their lives and were on hand to learn from the best in the world. The siblings, ages 9 and 11, respectively, started playing when they were old enough to grip a club and now play for the St. Ann's golf team.

The Wivestads were anxious to soak in knowledge Friday and particularly enjoyed learning from Villegas and Fowler.

"It was really interesting and fun to watch," Olivia Wivestad said.