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Naumann student touts elementary golf

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Golf isn't just for grownups anymore. Kids can also benefit from the discipline, etiquette and exercise of the game. That was the pitch presented by Naumann Elementary fourth grader Joseph Menna at the May 7 Leander ISD school board meeting.

Menna wore a golf glove and gave a presentation, asking school officials to consider implementing a golf program in its elementary physical education classes.

"Tiger Woods started playing when he was 2; Jack Niklaus stared at age 10," he said.

Menna said golf was in keeping with the Leander ISD's 10 Ethical Principles. "It teaches honesty," he said. "If you took seven strokes, you don't write down three strokes." He said walking and stretching provided good physical exercise, and the strategic planning of golf is a good mental exercise.

Menna's presentation included a video about the First Tee National Schools Program of the Professional Golf Association. The program would have a one-time cost of $2,950 for Naumann Elementary alone, he said, but would drop to $2,800 if 10 or more LISD schools signed up. Menna said schools could hold fundraisers to help offset the cost.

Although he certainly loves the game of golf, "Joseph is most passionate about doing good school work," said his mother, Annette. Joseph gave the speech to the school board as a persuasive speaking project. He presented the idea to his Quest teacher Chris Johnson, who told Trustee Grace Barber Jordan. Jordan then put the presentation on the May 7 agenda.

E-mail charles@hillcountrynews.com

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