In the midst of one of the most rugged and difficult periods I have ever known, there is good that is being produced. Families are spending more time together at home.

Neighbors are being more neighborly. A neighborhood in our community put together a stuffed animal outdoor zoo which is absolutely brilliant.

I watched a video of children reacting to the stuffed animals, expressing their love with real hugs while having more fun than I’ve ever seen a child have at a real zoo!

Children can access their imagination and have fun in most unusual places and spaces. So as an adult, what I have done for decades now is observe young children act and reach.

My place in space has been golf. Recently, the golf courses have been packed. I assume part of the reason daily, weekly, and monthly records are being broken at clubs for rounds played is because golf lends itself to safe social distancing and it’s played outdoors.

A young player, 8th grader Chase Cline out of Chapin, had a personal record 69 at Timberlake Country Club last Friday.

Before covering Cline’s person record details, here is some uplifting news.

A couple of educators in our community have assembled a special event for high school seniors who had their golf season shorted due to the the covid-19 virus.

High school coaches Roger Smith of River Bluff Golf and Dru Nix of Gilbert are assembling on short notice, an event called the ‘Corona Senior Classic’. The Ponderosa Country Club in Batesburg-Leesville is the site.

Here are specifics. The date is May 11. It’s a 1 pm shotgun start. Cost is $25. Spectator carts are $20. (FYI, spectator carts at any junior event are truly special.)

Please send entry to drunix50@gmail.com or contact Dru at 803-446-6513.

Back to Cline, he was participating in the ‘Koosa Friday Shootout’ at Timberlake Country Club when he beat his personal record by 2 shots. It was previously a 71 and, based on his start, it seemed like a normal day.

“I was two over par after 3 holes,” he said. “I didn’t get upset because I have come back and shot even par on the front 9 before.”

He recovered from a rough start and went on to make 4 birdies with the shot of the day coming on the 15th hole.

“ I hooked my tee shot into the lateral hazard on number 15,” the smiling young Cline said. “I dropped out and then hit a solid 5 iron within 3 feet then made the putt for par. This kept my round going.”

The 8th grader plays basketball and football, but has a special feeling for golf.

“I like all the other sports but golf is my favorite,” Cline said.

Chases personal record round was witnessed by his dad, Jason Cline, Julian Jenkins, and T. Willard. When asked about nervousness when he realized he was in position to break his record, Cline said this.

“I knew I could hit good shots because I’ve done it before,” Cline said. “So, I thought about that and just kept playing.”

Next week I’ll start a new series on a discovery using a brand new golf learning format that is fun for individuals, very young children, families, brand new players and especially mom.