Professional golfer Rachel Rohanna knows better than most that success in golf begins with a single swing. For many young athletes, however, that first swing never happens.
Golf has long carried a reputation as an expensive sport. Clubs, balls, shoes, green fees and lessons can add up quickly, making it difficult for many families to introduce their children to the game.
Each summer, the Waynesburg native and former LPGA Tour professional welcomes dozens of children to Rohanna’s Golf Course for a free junior golf clinic designed to make the game accessible to everyone. Thanks to the support of local sponsors, families pay nothing to participate. Children who don’t own clubs can borrow equipment, lunch is provided, and the focus is placed squarely on having fun while learning the fundamentals of the game.
Rachel Rohanna instructs one of the lucky participants at her clinic.
It’s an investment in children rather than scorecards.
The clinic welcomes youngsters from toddlers taking their first swings to teenagers looking to sharpen their skills. Participants rotate through stations where they learn putting, chipping and the full swing while also being introduced to golf etiquette, sportsmanship and the unique traditions that have made golf a lifelong pursuit for generations of players.
There are games, contests and plenty of encouragement. For the youngest participants, success isn’t measured by how far a ball travels but by the smile that follows a solid hit. That approach reflects Rohanna’s own journey.
Rachel learned the game on the fairways of her family’s course before becoming one of the area’s most accomplished golfers. She was a two-time PIAA Champion at Waynesburg Central, earned All-American honors at Ohio State University and competed against the world’s best players on the LPGA Tour. Although her career has taken her to golf’s biggest stages, she has never forgotten where her own love of the game began.
Today she balances professional competition with coaching as head women’s golf coach at Waynesburg University while remaining deeply involved in youth instruction.
Her junior clinic has grown steadily over the years, a sign that there is strong interest in golf when the barriers to entry are removed. This year’s clinic filled all 96 available spots, with another 30 children placed on a waiting list. Those numbers tell an important story. Families want opportunities like this, and children are eager to discover a sport they may never have considered trying.
Recognizing that need, Rohanna helped launch Tee to Greene, a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding youth golf opportunities throughout the county. The organization’s mission goes beyond teaching proper grip or swing mechanics. It seeks to ensure that every child, regardless of financial circumstances, has the chance to experience golf and the life lessons it teaches.
Rohanna has long understood that those values are as important as a low score. Earlier in her career, she volunteered with youth golf programs introducing elementary students to the game while emphasizing character, integrity and perseverance. The summer clinics continue that tradition by creating an environment where confidence can grow one swing at a time.
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the clinics is their simplicity.
There are no trophies on the line. No pressure to earn scholarships. Instead, there are children laughing as they chase golf balls across the practice range, parents watching proudly from the sidelines and volunteers eager to share their passion for the game.
In an era when youth sports often seem dominated by travel teams, expensive equipment and year-round specialization, Rohanna’s clinics offer a refreshing reminder of what athletics should be about at the beginning: learning, friendship and fun.
Not every child who attends will become a tournament champion. Most won’t.
But somewhere among those first-time golfers may be the next high school standout, college player or even another LPGA professional. More importantly, many will discover a game they can enjoy for the rest of their lives with family and friends.
Greene County Cup 2026
Greene County Cup Champions, Rohanna’s Golf Course: (Front Row) Cory Dillinger, Kevin Pincavitch, Rachel Rohanna, Eric Rohanna. (Back Row) Justin Bedilion, Clay Wyne, Joel Kovach, Joel Rohanna, Jason Makel, Zach Schlomer, and Hudson Pincavitch. (Not pictured, Aaron Yorio)
Greene County Cup runners-up, Carmichaels Golf Course: (Front Row) Craig Haywood, Tim Gacek, Bob Greenlee, Liam Lohr, and Eli Hastings. (Back Row) Brian Sokol, Brett Katarsky, Connor Lapana, Mason Lapana, Tim Sepsi, Chad Warren, and John Garber.
