The Brief
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Wildhorse Resort & Casino hosted two free youth golf clinics on Aug. 18, featuring instruction from Epson Tour professionals covering swing fundamentals, chipping, putting and golf etiquette.
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The clinics are part of a weeklong series of activities leading up to the 2026 Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic, which runs Aug. 21-23 and features more than 140 professional golfers competing for LPGA Tour membership.
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This is a rare opportunity for Eastern Oregon youth to receive professional-level golf instruction at no cost, with two sessions available today at different locations.
PENDLETON, Ore. — Before professional golfers compete for spots on the LPGA Tour this weekend, they’re sharing their expertise with the next generation of players at no cost to local families.
Wildhorse Resort & Casino hosted two free youth golf clinics on August 18, giving young golfers direct access to tour professionals. The morning session ran from 10 a.m. to noon at Wildhorse Golf Course in Pendleton, while the afternoon clinic took place from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Golf Course at Birch Creek, located about 20 miles south of Pendleton near the Umatilla National Forest.
The clinics covered essential golf skills including swing fundamentals, chipping, putting, and golf etiquette. The events are part of a broader weeklong series of community activities surrounding the 2026 Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic—bringing professional-level instruction to Eastern Oregon.
For eight-year-old Seve, the clinic offered more than just instruction—it inspired. When asked about his favorite part of golf, he said, “Hitting it far,” and when asked what he enjoyed most about the experience, he added, “Having fun.” The combination left him eager to continue playing the sport.
Nine-year-old Gauge also found motivation in learning from professionals. After receiving a putting tip on following through with his stroke, he reflected on the experience: “It’s fun being with someone that I know is really good.” When asked whether the clinic made him want to play more and potentially compete as a professional someday, he responded enthusiastically: “Yes, yes I did.”
Kaylyn Noh, an Epson Tour professional playing professionally for the first time this season, emphasized the importance of these clinics in growing the sport. She started playing golf at age five and understands firsthand how expensive the game can be for families.
“It really does help grow the game and helps the kids kind of figure out, you know, like is golf the right sport for me,” Noh said.
Alexis Phadungmartvorakul, another Epson Tour professional, stressed that the clinics aim to show young people that golf is accessible and enjoyable for everyone. “Golf is also fun… as long as they have fun doing it and have friends that do it, it’s a fun sport to do for life,” he said.
Gary E. George, CEO of Wildhorse Resort & Casino, highlighted the broader community impact of the clinics. “Every year, we look forward to the inspiration and joy these clinics bring to local families,” George said. “These opportunities allow tribal and local youth to connect with professional golfers, learn new skills, and develop a lifelong interest in the game.”
The clinics serve as a warm-up for the professionals before they shift focus to competition. The 2026 Wildhorse Ladies Golf Classic runs Aug. 21-23 at Wildhorse Golf Course, the championship course at Wildhorse Resort & Casino. The tournament will feature more than 140 professional golfers from around the world competing in a 54-hole event as part of the Epson Tour’s Race for the Card—a season-long points competition that determines which golfers earn membership on the LPGA Tour, the premier professional golf circuit for women.
For families interested in watching the tournament, tickets start at $5, and children get in free when accompanied by a paid adult. It’s a chance to see world-class professional golf competition right here in Eastern Oregon.
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