http://www.wltribune.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=37&cat=40&id=653112&more=

Junior golfers are getting pointers every Monday from an unlikely source - a Western Hockey League star.

Carey Price of the Tri-City Americans is instructing kids from the ages of 4-14 at the Williams Lake Golf and Tennis Club. Price said he has been playing golf for seven years, but he's admittedly not a professional, so he instructs with the help of the club's pros.

"We just give them a few pointers so they can at least have a good start in the game, and learn a few things about golf," Price said.

He said that it's difficult to teach kids because their attention spans are short, but he said they pick the lessons up over time. According to Price, it's not technical advice that keeps kids coming back, it's the experience.

"It's good if they just have fun. If they get frustrated they'll never enjoy it," he said.

Price said that the most common mistake young people make when they golf is trying to hit the ball as hard as they can. Combining their power with technique will make the ball go further, he said.

This is the fourth year the club has had Junior Day. It is free for kids who just go to the driving range and play the first two holes, but it costs $5 for kids eight and under who play the rest of the holes, and $15 for kids over nine. There is no additional charge for those who have a membership.

Price said a number of kids have recognized him as a hockey player, but that hockey players aren't unusual on a golf course.

"The golf course is a hockey player zoo in the off season. They seem to go hand in hand, I don't know why," he said.

He said that he'll be back into hockey later this summer when he tries to prove himself worthy of a goalie position with the Montreal Canadiens.

"I'll go to Montreal in August and stay there as long as I can until they decide what to do with me," Price said.

He said he admires the Canadiens' goalie program, but said that most goalies don't break in to the NHL until they are 22-years-old. Price is only 18. Because of his age, he will have to return to the WHL if the Canadiens leave him behind this season. He said that the American Hockey League would be the next step for him, but it doesn't take players under 20-years-old.