AHS team hosts new camp 'fore' the kids
Golfers looking for help collecting items to donate to area soup kitchen
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

ALLENTOWN - Although at first it seemed like a bad omen to organizers, inclement weather has not at all put a damper on the first-ever Doug Hunt Golf Camp.

The camp, which is named after Allentown High School's longtime golf coach, started a week late, on June 10, at the Cream Ridge Golf Course in Upper Freehold. The AHS Parent Golf Association (AHSpga) and the management of the Cream Ridge Golf Club are financing the fun.

Hosts of volunteers have also contributed to the endeavor, including members of the AHS golf team, parent supervisors, AHSpga member Bill Marine, golf instructor Joe Monticello and Les Baird, an author of golf-related books.

The camp, which takes place on Sunday evenings, will run through July and has been extended due to the delay and because of the enthusiasm and response of campers and counselors alike, according to Bruce Novozinsky, AHSpga president and the golf camp's co-chairman.

"It's never a good omen when week one gets rained out," Novozinsky said. "But we decided to make up for that day and use June 17 - Father's Day - as an optional day, and the response was overwhelming."

Novozinsky continued, "We had 60 kids on the roster, and 56 [of them] showed up. And I have a wait list of over 50. Amazing!"

The golf-camp concept, which was fully endorsed by AHS Athletic Director Brian Irwin, was hatched over the winter by Novozinsky and another AHSpga member, Bob Korn. According to Novozinsky, Hunt had a surprised look on his face when he saw the advertising posters with his name on them.

"The need for this camp was clear," Novozinsky said. "The kids had to go to Hamilton or Lawrence for a structured golf camp or take private lessons."

He added, "With the full support of Mr. Marine, Mr. Bill Miscoski and Mr. Ken Horner, everything fell into place."

The camp offers putting along with iron and wedge work over about an hour and 15 minutes on the course. Campers will also enjoy snacks and guest speakers each week. In addition, the camp stresses the discipline and the etiquette of the game, so participants must wear proper golf attire and act respectfully toward one another.

"We are leaving no stone unturned," Novozinsky said. "We also have a medical volunteer in Dr. Arun Singh standing by in case anyone gets clocked, and ample supervision at each station. We put nothing to chance."

Novozinsky said he's frequently asked if there are girls playing golf at camp and on the AHS golf team.

"Allentown High School plays in the Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) division, and golf is a mixed sport where girls compete with the boys," he said. "The last girl on the AHS team was Jess Horner, a three-time most valuable player."

Novozinsky said there are 10 girls at camp.

"They have game," he said. "We recruited Jenna Pheiffer from Hamilton West to instruct the girls and along with Joseph Monticello, the girls are having a wonderful experience."

The camp will end with a coach Hunt favorite, a three-hole/three-club/two-ball tournament. The kids will be divided into ability categories so that they can all win prizes, Novozinsky said.

When asked to what he attributes the camp's success, Hunt said he believes some of the camp's appeal came as a result of its lack of cost.

"This is something we all felt we wanted to do," he said.

"We were going to charge a minimum amount [for the camp]," he continued, "but then decided that the community backing of [the AHS golf] team over the last 15 months has been so tremendous that to give a few hours to the kids each week is our privilege and we are glad to do it."

Novozinsky said that parents seem pleased with the endeavor.

"You can't and won't please everyone, and I've given up trying," he said, "but by the e-mail response I've received, this is already a huge success."

Nothing makes the camp organizers more proud than seeing the campers throughout town wearing their DHGC hats, Novozinsky said.

"We are very proud of the boys," Novozinsky said, adding that their parents have also been outstanding.

"We asked [the parents] to stay on the sidelines, and they have," he said. "We need the golf team to do its job, and that's to help."

The parents have also been supportive of the campers collecting donations for the AHS golf team's charity project for the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen (TASK). The golf team became involved with TASK last month when members volunteered to work in the kitchen serving food to the less fortunate, according to Novozinsky.

AHSpga members Monticello and Elizabeth Polvere are putting together some personal hygiene kits with basic toiletries to donate to TASK. Parents are being asked to help the kids collect shaving cream, toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and other similar items. The golfers' goal is to deliver 200 kits to TASK by July 4.

Anyone who would like to help the golfers reach their goal can e-mail ahspga@optonline.net.