Cloudy skies and wet weather did not stop young golfers at Bolduc Park from getting their swings in during their golf camp trip to the Lakes Region.

Children from the Fosters Golf Camp in Manchester were in full swing on Wednesday morning as part of their summer camp program. Each week on Wednesdays and Fridays, a bus delivers between 30 to 60 youths who are just learning the game or have the experience and just want to enjoy the camp.

The camp has been around for 16 years and has utilized Bolduc Park every year. Throughout the week, the golfers get to play on four different Par 3 golf courses, including Bolduc Park, Garrison Golf Center in Haverhill, Mass., Woodbound Inn Golf Course in Rindge and Applewood Golf Links in Windham.

Camp Director Ted Foster said that Bolduc Park is one of the favorite courses that the children play on during the week.

"It's a wonderful place to bring kids and adults," said Foster. "We travel all over the state and Bolduc Park is the kid's favorite by far."

Foster said that every time the camp travels to the Laconia area, the golf course is in excellent conduction and it's great shape.

"Bob does a tremendous job keeping that course maintained and it's a great Par 3 golf course," Foster said.

Current volunteer and previous owner of the property Bob Bolduc works on the golf course every day during the week, keeping the course clean and maintained for guests and groups such as the Foster's Golf Camp. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the week, the Gunstock Adaptive Program stops by the golf course to give disadvantaged children a chance to swing a golf club for the first time.

Bolduc said the golf course is ideal for those learning the game of golf or those who are experienced and enjoy the challenge of a Par 3 course.

"No one is refused when they come here," said Bolduc. "Any level of golfer can come play on the course."

Bolduc who originally had the property for cross-country skiing activities wanted to expand the course in the early 90s to a year-round facility. The design of the course was finished in 1992 and construction began soon after with Bolduc building the course using only his bare hands and a 1910 tractor.

"I bought the property back 30 years ago and the golf course was built around 16 years ago," he said.

Everyone who works on the grounds at Bolduc Park are volunteers, from the maintenance crew to the clubhouse hosts and hostesses. Every piece of equipment used to cut the grass, groom the bunkers and among other tools have been donated to the Bolduc Park Association.

"While building the course, I had assistance from other golf courses in the area," Bolduc said.

The Bolduc Park Association is constantly looking for volunteers to work at the golf course. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the volunteer coordinator, Joyce Messer, at 366-5752.

The 16th annual Bolduc Park Golf Tournament has been set for the weekend of Aug. 21, which will include a $10,000 Hole-In-One challenge and various other events. For more information about the tournament, stop by the clubhouse or call 524-1370.

RAY MONGEAU/CITIZEN PHOTO NINE-YEAR-OLD Emily Stelman of Goffstown takes a practice swing at the Par 3 Bolduc Park golf course. She and other children enjoy and learn golf with Fosters Golf Camp. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale

RAY MONGEAU/CITIZEN PHOTO NINE-YEAR-OLD Lauren Thibodeau of Hampstead concentrates on her putting Wednesday afternoon at Bolduc Park. She enjoys golf and likes the course mainly because children are welcomed there. She golfed with a group of other children with Foster's Golf Camp. Click here to view Foster's prints for sale