Long before there was a Tiger Woods, Woodland Hills Country Club was getting a younger generation hooked on golf.

The private golf club's summer junior program has been in operation for so long no one really knows when the program first began at the historic course, established in 1925.

Over the years, generations of valley golfers have been taught the game by championship pros.

The WHCC youth golf program is recognized by the Southern California Golfing Association for its active support of golf within the community as well as throughout Southern California.

WHCC is the home course for several local high school golf teams and California State University at Northridge's Ladies Matador Golf Team. Each year the club also hosts the regional Junior Amateur Qualifiers.

Denton Williamson, 16, from Calabasas High School, developed his passion for golf through the junior program.

"It's great to learn golf with other kids," he said, adding, "the instructors took their time to work with me to get good at the game."

The one-week program offers youth ages 7 to 14 instructions in driving, chipping, putting, rules and general course etiquette. At the end of the program, the new golfers enjoy a putting and chipping competition against their parents, followed by a BBQ dinner.

WHCChas a legacy of catering to families whose values include golf. Younger families are rediscovering the distinguished country club of their grandparents and great-grandparents.

Originally called the Girard Golf & Country Club, the scenic and challenging course was created by Woodland Hills' developer Victor Girard as a selling point for his Los Angeles retreat.

He began the club's tradition of luring top southern California golf professionals and one of them decided to establish a junior golf program.

The WHCC archives contain a picture from 1951 when PGA golf pro Willie Barber led the program. Among his students was Van Nuys High School's championship golfer Tom Garnella, who graduated in 1960.

Barber, with his brother, Jerry, also a golf professional, signed the application that allowed the first rising black player Charles Sifford into the PGA during the 1950s.

"Many of the kids have graduated from the WHCC junior program to major university golf teams on full scholarships," says General Manager Phil Lopez.