FAIRMONT – With Fairmont’s two courses and a history of success at the high school level, the new Fairmont Golf Association is looking to build on that foundation.

The effort is helmed by President Chad Lutterman and Vice President and Boys Golf Head Coach Bill Brooks. Secretary Alex Schliesmann, Treasurer Tyler Klunder and Girls Golf Head Coach Dylan Post make up the five-person founding board.

Brooks said he knows golf is an expensive sport, and the association wants to make it more accessible.

“We’re trying to get the equipment in the hands of the kids, rather than them having to go out and buy it,” he said. “If there are ways throughout the community that we can get the equipment in their hands, via people that don’t use their clubs anymore [or other methods].”

In addition to aiding the current high school program, the association also wants to build youth programs to benefit the community and develop golf skills in youth before they reach the high school level.

“Say you’re 10, 11 years old,” Brooks said. “Get you started before you get into that high school level. Get kids more tuned in with golf at an earlier age; rather than they get to high school and they don’t know how to golf.”

Lutterman and Brooks have seen a decrease in participation in golf over the past few years. Lutterman said when the seventh and eighth graders were moved into high school, the junior high golf program for students in grades six through eight was disbanded. Not having this step has also made development more difficult.

With all of this put together, Lutterman said now was the right time for an association.

“I have more time,” he said. “Two of my kids are gone off to college. My third child is a junior in high school. With the help of Bill, Dylan Post, Tyler Klunder and Alex Schliesmann, now is the time.”

Bringing more kids into golf would build helpful skills for those of a younger age, according to Lutterman.

“There are no referees or officials,” he said. “The referees and officials are the players themselves. It teaches self-discipline, self-awareness and that you’re going to play by the rules. It teaches you morals and values.”

While nothing has been established yet for a youth program, Lutterman said they have ideas about how to proceed.

“We would like to try to get something set up for early July,” he said. “We’re just trying to decide if we should see about partnering with somebody to help facilitate sign-ups. We’re looking at doing the CER pamphlet because that goes out to everybody. A lot of parents look at that pamphlet to see what they can put their kids in and keep them [active] over the summer.”

The first golf association fundraiser will be held March 14 at the Knights of Columbus Hall, an all-you-can-eat shrimp and fish fry.

For more information, visit https://www.fmtgolfassociation.com/ or https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572408430681, or call 507-236-4350.