THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 15, 1995 TAG: 9510130195
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Whether he's in the military or out, Alton Hatten never seems to get away from drills.
For eight of his 22 Army years, he was a drill sergeant, training artillery unit soldiers to shoot the howitzer.
``I loved it,'' he said. ``There's nothing better. I was a great soldier and the Army was great to me.''
As a volunteer for the past five years, he has loved drilling young people in the fine points of golfing.
The program, for youngsters from 6 to 17, is sponsored by the Tidewater Youth Golf Association and has participants from Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Chesapeake and Norfolk.
Hatten says that he volunteers in the program because inner city children are often disadvantaged.
``We saw a need for golf to be made available to them,'' he said. ``That's why we created a situation so that they can learn to play golf.''
Although Portsmouth City Park is their home course, Crestwood Intermediate School, Kempsville Greens and the Norfolk Naval base are the training sites.
``This year we finished with 40 students,'' he said proudly.
``If a child is big enough to swing a club, we'll work with them.''
Hatten considers himself a good teacher.
``Since I have been working with the young people, my teaching skills have developed very well,'' he said.
His motivation for working with the program is two-fold.
``This program gives the children a chance to discipline their minds and bodies,'' he said. ``I get a lot of joy out of seeing them learn the game. It's something they will be able to do as long as they live.
``I feel like I'm giving something back to the community,'' he said. ``The character-building qualities involved in playing golf can be a carry over into their lives and help make them better citizens and help them lead productive lives. That's why we do it, to help them.''
Name: Alton C. Hatten
Hometown: Norfolk
Occupation: Retired from the U.S. Army
Spouse: Ida Hatten
Children: Margaret Jenkins, Alton Hatten Jr., Gentry Hatten, Tamesha Saunders and four grandchildren, Nikki, Ryan, Jessica and Jeff
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``Murphy's Law has kicked in everything I've attempted to do the last two weeks, but I like who I am. If I could change anything, I would have gotten a formal education.''
Favorite type of music: ``I'm an old jazz enthusiast.''
Hobbies: ``Golfing and reading, and I try writing a little.''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: ``I love Locks Pointe.''
Favorite movie: ``I'm a movie fan and a `Star Trek' buff.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Alton Hatten
by CNB