Moody takes advantage of golf lessons by pro John McGough

Published 12:04 am Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Visiting golf pro John McGough helps Jackson Moody, 12, with his stance during a youth golf clinic hosted at the Duncan Park Golf Course Tuesday. "This is an important thing to help the game of golf grow, to get kids interested in the game and to associate it with having fun," McGough said. (Brittney Lohmiller \ The Natchez Democrat)

Visiting golf pro John McGough helps Jackson Moody, 12, with his stance during a youth golf clinic hosted at the Duncan Park Golf Course Tuesday. “This is an important thing to help the game of golf grow, to get kids interested in the game and to associate it with having fun,” McGough said. (Brittney Lohmiller \ The Natchez Democrat)

NATCHEZ — Jackson Moody may have been the only one to show up at Duncan Park’s Thanksgiving week junior golf clinic Tuesday.

But that just meant he had more one-on-one time with golf pro John McGough.

“I don’t really care,” Moody said about being the only one there.

Moody prepares to practice a swing during the clinic. (Brittney Lohmiller \ The Natchez Democrat)

Moody prepares to practice a swing during the clinic. (Brittney Lohmiller \ The Natchez Democrat)

Email newsletter signup

Moody’s father, Barnett Serio, said it was good for his son to see the extra attention, but more local children should be jumping at the opportunity to work with a golf pro.

“This is a good thing for all kids that are interested in golf, and people aren’t taking advantage of a good deal,” Serio said. “He’s going to get four hours of free lessons with a golf pro, which is good, but it’s sad there wasn’t more attendance.”

McGough, however, said he was more than happy to take the trip up from New Orleans to teach Moody, 12, the game.

“He has talent,” McGough said. “He’s a natural, actually. He’s taken to the game like a fish to water. Look at how he puts the club to the ball.”

The two worked on chipping Tuesday, and through repetition, Moody slowly became used to the technique McGough was trying to instill.

“He’s a good student and does what we tell him to,” McGough said.

Moody said McGough has stressed the importance of having a correct grip, and the instruction has paid off.

“I think my chipping has gotten better,” Moody said.

Duncan Park Golf Course Superintendent Greg Brooking said he’s also seen the progress in the young golfer.

“To get one-on-one lessons with John McGough, who’s one of the top 100 teachers in the U.S. — it’s incomprehensible the amount of info he’ll get,” Brooking said. “I can already tell from watching his swing how much better his comprehension is of the golf swing.

“I wish I had that kind of attention when I was young. He could develop into one of the top young golfers in the area.”

Teaching children the game is enjoyable, McGough said, but that comes secondary to simply getting children to enjoy the game.

“If we can do that, the rest of it is apt to take care of itself,” McGough said.

For Moody, golf is one of several sports he enjoys playing, and he was grateful for the chance to brush up his game during the Thanksgiving break.

“It’s not boring,” Moody said. “I like all sports except soccer.”