Golf is one of the most unique forms of recreation available in our wonderful country. It’s a game that can be played for a lifetime, in community, with friends or alone. The starting age can be as early as 3 years and, quite frankly, the 1st reason I entered into the business of golf was observing a couple in their 90s playing frequently together at Camden Country Club.

They not only seemed to enjoy the game, but each other’s company, too. The participation alone part was the first attraction for me.

Golf took a while for me to find, but just after high school, I tried it and liked it. Now, I had a game I could play or practice alone. With golf, I could play or practice around my schedule.

As an elementary and middle school age child, the recreation centers and school yard playgrounds were where I spent most waking, non-school hours.

John Rivers, Ms. Marsha, and Mr. Griffin were 3 neighborhood dads who were volunteer youth sport coaches. They would set up the structure that made such games fun.

Each of these dads had children close in age. In what seemed like almost every late afternoon, 1 of these men would be on a field or a court conducting practice or pickup games.

These dads were big kids at heart and made every sport fun. They would set up equally weighed teams, so the games could be competitive. These dads would play the role of coach, player and sports commentator.

What was quite interesting is each dad could add spirit to the atmosphere complete with sound effects.

What’s my point today? First, this is going to be a shock, but if you got up close with many of the greatest players in the world, you would find most have child-like hearts with elaborate imaginations.

Family or player dining rooms, locker rooms, along with practice rounds, are fun, joyful, playful, and more recreational than most have any idea. The greatest players have the most playful hearts, so my suggestion to you is make an effort to practice and play golf with a child’s perspective.

The Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission and Richland County Recreation Commission kicked off their brand new Family Junior Golf Programs this past weekend. This program emphasizes family time together while having fun engaging in golf.

Listen to what a middle school aged LCRAC player had to say her reason was for being interested.

“It’s the only sport I know of where someone is not actively trying to beat me. I’m trying to compete with myself,” explained Vivian Williams, who is new to golf. Her mom Allison and dad Scott are all very new to golf.

While this LRAC golf program is at capacity, RCRC has plenty of room available and paying by the class is an option for the next few weeks because of the small number of participants. Visit Richland County Recreation website, http://richlandcountyrecreation. com/fall-golf-programs-atlinrick-golf-course/ to review.

If interested in volunteering to be a Recreational Youth Golf coach in one of our local golf programs, call 803-603-1718.

In ocal golf news at the highest level, former Lexington High School golfer Lauren Stephenson placed 9th at the KPMG Womens PGA Championship which is a professional major championship.

Her finish not only earned her over $80,000, it qualified her for the 2020 Womens US Open which will be conducted Dec. 10-13 at the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas.

Now we have The Masters in November and the Women’s US Open in December.

In local amateur golf, Lexington natives Jordan Sease was 5th and Michael Sims placed 18th at the SC Golf Association’s Mid-Am championship at Florence Country Club.