6 | July 2017 #juniorgolfmag Visit us at juniorgolfmag.net GoodThings HappenWhen OlderPlayers Become Mentors BY MADELINE GORDON In 2005, after the destruction from Hurricane Katrina, former PGA Tour Professional Kelly Gibson, a New Orleans native, and his wife Elizabeth created the non-profit organization Feed the Relief, with the intention of assisting first responders — those who put their lives on the line during disasters. Initial fundraising efforts were aided by other appreciative PGA Tour Professionals. Five years later, the foundation was renamed the Kelly Gibson Foundation and expanded its work into children’s athletics. One of the biggest initiatives was starting a junior golf tour in New Orleans that utilized older junior golfers to help mentor the younger age groups. By removing parent caddies from the equation, it has proven to increase the pace of play. But this special approach is also making a big difference for aspiring juniors in other ways, as we found out from Kelly Gibson in a recent interview. Here’s what else we learned. Older juniors provide a calming influence Advice is eagerly offered to young players