Pete Strawick needed some help. Strawick had been running junior golf camps in the Hermiston area and the Umatilla/Morrow Junior Golf Championships for 14 years, and with all things considered, finally figured out he could use a hand.

Thankfully three years ago, the City of Hermiston stepped up and turned what was already an impressive event then into something thats north of the stratosphere now.

This years tournament, which is still run by Strawick (and probably will be until hes no longer with us), was down in numbers according to Strawick, but it definitely didnt lack spirit or charm.

When one of the raffle prizes for the kids is a giant, and I mean giant, lawn chair with six cup-holders, whats not to love about an event pushing that as a prize? Its the little things, really.

Anyway, back to something relevant.

This tournament, and the camps that precede it (entry into the tournament requires attendance at one of the two camps) are a great way to be introduced to golf. They are also a good way for intermediate-level golfers to hone their skills and fine-tune their craft. Whether its putting, chipping or getting out the big boy stick and smashing it long down the fairway, Strawick can provide the expertise and super teaching skills to make it seem simple and easily applied.

For Strawick, the teaching wasnt the issue it was the funding. He needed more. And while the sponsors were doing everything they could, especially in poor economic times, it wasnt doing the job he would have liked.

Enter, the City of Hermiston Parks and Recreation Department.

Parks and Rec supervisor Brian Brogan and his staff have done a great job helping Strawick out with the program, and have been slowly taking on more responsibility as the years go on.

Its been good, Brogan said of the collaboration. Weve been getting more and more involved every year.

Right now, all Brogan and his crew doesnt do is set the pairings. They provide prizes, trophies, a barbeque lunch and other support for the tournament.

Brogan also has another interest in the camp, too. His sons, Tavin and Issac, have been doing the camps for the past couple years, and Brogan said its something they look forward to every summer.

Its a partnership that happened for all the right reasons. The Parks and Recreation Department knew they could help Strawick, and Strawick knew it and embraced the opportunity. 

The real winners here are the kids. Golf is a game like any other in order to become good, you need to start young. The camps Strawick runs, then the tournament the kids can use to apply those skills, is invaluable to facilitating the learning process. 

And seeing the reactions of the kids after they make a nice putt, or hit a ball off the tee further than 40 yards or do anything else they havent done before, is priceless. 

The amount of times the phrase Thank you, Pete, was said by a participant while Strawick was filling out the leaderboard was phenomenal. Either there are plenty of well-mannered youngsters that participate in the camp, or Strawick is doing something right.

Billy would love to hear from you. Write him at bgates@hermistonherald.com.