For those whose attention span lasts about as long as a 10-foot putt, this month’s eighth annual Hawaii Junior Golf Day will be a blur of activity, with as much coaching and encouragement as possible thrown in.

For those young golfers’ parents, the focus is long term. Hundreds of golfers have snagged college scholarships since the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association brought all the islands together. Why not your child, as a golfer or simply someone with the dedication, discipline and patience to thrive in that person’s career of choice?

On March 16, 14 courses on four islands (Kahili is the following Saturday) will host free clinics for beginning golfers between the ages of 5 and 18.

Coincidentally, but tellingly, less than a month later Kahuku Intermediate’s Mia Cepeda will represent Hawaii at Augusta, competing in the national Drive, Chip &Putt Championship the Sunday before The Masters.

She started somewhere, and for the last eight years lots of kids — up to 700 a year — have started with Junior Golf Day. It is fast and furious, with stations set up for putting, chipping, full swings and — for lack of a broader description — “non-golf” fun.

“A non-traditional golf experience with user-friendly equipment and props to deliver a fun and safe environment,” is the way HSJGA Executive Director Matt Rollins puts it.

He will help out on Kauai, with many Aloha Section PGA pros volunteering at other sites.

One is Navy-Marine, the only place where participation is limited to military and Department of Defense families. Last year, about 30 showed up despite the rain, which forced Navy-Marine to move its play indoors and many other facilities to re-schedule.

“The major focus for this day is to make sure these kids have fun,” says Gally Carreira Jr., assistant manager at Mamala Bay, who will help David Chin at Navy-Marine. “It is our obligation as PGA professionals to grow the game of golf and this is the start.

“We also bring awareness to these juniors of the different programs our facilities offer, for them to continue to explore their new passion for golf.”

The Joint Base golf course programs include Sunday Clinics, First Tee at Ke’alohi Par 3, PGA Junior League, $2 Tuesday, Glow Golf at Mamala Bay and BlueJackets Junior Golf at Navy-Marine.

But on March 16 it will be all about beginners. Along with the stations, where everyone works toward the same goal no matter what their skill level, safety and etiquette will be emphasized.

Parents won’t be left out. The HSJGA and Aloha Section make a “Roadmap to Junior Golf” available that explains where to find opportunities to learn, play and compete.

“It is our goal to make sure all of these parents are aware of the avenues available to them and their children moving forward,” Carreira says. “We have a 20-minute ‘talk story’ session with all our parents, where we provide information of all the offerings available to them as military personnel.

“We have programs available for every junior golfer and their various needs, from the beginner to the advanced competitive golfer. In this session, if desired, our parents can sign up for some of these programs to continue their child’s journey in golf.”

On Maui, Ka’anapali PGA Director of Golf Sutee Nitakorn also emphasizes fun for the kids and the “Road Map.” His focus teaching is on basics, at what he describes as “a carnival for golf with colorful targets, obstacles and excited golf professionals.”

“All anyone wants — including myself — is to hit the ball far and see the ball go in the hole,” he says. “Our golf professionals will be set up at four different stations to teach the basics of each aspect of golf — putting, short game, swing, fitness.”

Ultimately, he wants people to realize how accessible golf is for local kids. Rollins wants them to see “so many great benefits, from developing life skills to active living.”

Pre-registration is available at hsjga.org and walk-ons are welcome, beginning at 8:30 a.m. March 16, if space is available. Ko Olina has hosted a hundred kids the past few years.

Clinics go from 9-11 a.m., except for Bay View, which will go from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

For more information, email info@hsjga.org or call 532-0559.

Participating courses:

Kauai — Puakea, Princeville Makai and Kiahuna.

Oahu — Ko Olina, Hawaii Kai, Mililani, Turtle Bay, Hawaii Prince, Bay View.

Navy-Marine (restricted to active duty military, retired military or Department of Defense families).

Maui — Ka’anapali, Kahili and Wailea.

Hawaii Island — Hilo Municipal and Hualalai.