GOLF _|

Thanksgiving is almost here.

Traditionally, I love to plant gift idea seeds. So, after recognizing some local juniors for their competitive accomplishment, I will attempt to seed some ideas, then set up a “holiday family & community golf series” that will run through Christmas.

Congratulations to Karley Vardas (20th place) of Lexington High School and Kennedy Gooding (11th place) of Gilbert for Top 20 finishes in the Girls 13-18 division of the South Carolina Junior Golf Association’s (SCJGA) Fall Challenge.

Ashton Eubanks of Lexington placed 20th in the boys 13-14 while Adam Hunt of Columbia was the winner.

•The Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission’s Winter Youth Golf Tour is a family-oriented recreational golf option. During the winter months, parents can participate as fans, course guides or even caddies.

The theme is “Golf Fun with Family” and numerous courses in the community have supported this program since 1993. In its second year, Indian River was added and, last year, 16 courses in the Midlands were part of the rotation with Charwood Country Club serving as the host club since 1995.

Owner Rock Lucas has been a loyal, gracious host.

What’s unique about this program is it’s a chance to learn while playing the real game on the golf course. The program also features a high school golf season preparation division for those who are skilled.

Ages 7-17 are invited to participate and clubs will be provided for those without by the SCJGA. Call (803) 781-2063 for more information.

•Gift ideas will be sprinkled in each week. My first golf gift of incredible impressionable memory was a set of clubs my girlfriend gave me in 1983. It was a set of Wilson FG 17s.

I played 18 holes on the Williston Country Club 9-hole course this day when the temperature was a breezy 10 degrees. I eventually married Valerie, and since then, I have been easy to please and still love getting golf gifts.

When in doubt about what to buy, go with golf balls and tees. I once got an incredible golf invitation because I sent through the mail a small box of long tees to a friend. Gift certificates, including golf or vacation packages are legitimate, but pay attention to expiration dates and the fine print.

There is a brand new golf fitness “Pattern Support Tool Set“ that will be available by Thanksgiving. It’s main design purpose is home winter season practice. The Swing Balance Golf Fitness “PS Tool Set” is available at both locations of Koosa Golf, and Par Tee Driving Range.

This brand new first in golf “Tool Set” can also serve as a “Golf Specific Home Gym”. So you will have to visit either of the above-mentioned locations for more.

•In closing, I am going to preview a Thanksgiving and holiday golf story with local history roots.

Gilbert High School did not have a girls’ golf team until a few years ago. What makes this story fabulous is there were not even many prospects.

Dru Nix changed this and when digging around for information it turns out Jan Flynn, formerly Rikard, a former LPGA Tour player, was a college roommate at the University of South Carolina-Aiken with Dru Nix.

“Jan and I were on the volleyball and basketball teams together and I used to hit golf balls in the polo fields at Aiken,” commented Nix.

Jan Rikard married Hall of Fame CPGA Professional Norman Flynn, who was part of the founding team of Country Club of Lexington in the mid 1960s. He was the Head Professional at the club for 30-plus years.

“Jan transferred to USC to play golf and later played the LPGA Tour for a few years and I stayed at USC Aiken and got my start at Silver Bluff High School teaching and coaching,” Nix said.

More next week on Gilbert’s girls golf history.