Seniors Find Affordable Exercise and Friendship at Lake Forest Golf & Practice Center

This article was updated March 8 with correct fees to play.

People 50 years and up can play discounted golf every Tuesday and Thursday morning at the Lake Forest Golf & Practice Center, thanks to Angie Kelly, Cal State Fullerton and the city of Lake Forest, which have teamed up to create a golf program that encourages seniors to stay active and healthy.

For 16 years, Kelly, a golf instructor who works with Cal State Fullerton's Center for Successful Aging, has built up her golf program, Outdoor Explorations, which now has more than 300 members.  Each week, about 100 seniors play golf at a discounted rate.  The city of Lake Forest and private individuals and businesses subsidize the program.

"I'm trying to promote healthy aging through the game of golf," said Kelly. "The golfers get to socialize and be active in a safe place."

Regular participant Bill Alloway, 89, lives in the nearby Freedom Village senior living facility.

"When people move into the Village, I bring them here because it's convenient, I enjoy the camaraderie, it's exciting, I like to play golf early and you're done by 9:30," Alloway said.

Outdoor Explorations membership is free. Seniors can sign up on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7 a.m. to play golf on the nine-hole golf course. The green fee for non-residents is $13, and the green fee for Lake Forest residents is $53 for 6 weeks, which is a savings of $25. Residents can also play and pay on a one-day basis for $13.

The LFGPC also offers Wednesday evening Twilight Golf. Seniors can check in at 5 p.m. and play a nine-hole round for only $14. They also receive free-range balls and a snack.

Kelly offers private lessons to get folks started on golf for $35 for half an hour. But members of the program can receive free pointers from Kelly.

For more information on the Outdoor Explorations program, e-mail Angela Kelly at bogey.1@cox.net or phone 949-588-0917.

The is at 23308 Cherry Ave. in Lake Forest.