GOLF

I learn much from new young players in golf.

This past Saturday I watched a 5-year-old named Cade get started by getting his putter and ball out of his bag, walk over to the hole, set his ball down right next to it, then tapped it in.

He got this big smile, hollered ‘yes’ with a perfectly-timed fist pump.

The genius displayed by Cade in his start encompassed what the game is all about and why he plays golf. His reaction reinforced what he enjoys most.

I’m getting ready to make a statement that may seem odd, but it is truth, in my opinion. The best players in the world enjoy getting the ball in the cup more than the rest. Their total focus is on this simple objective - get the ball into the hole.

I’m going to give the best I’ve got about making golf easy.

A 14-year-old offered me another lesson this week on the 18th hole at Timberlake Country Club.

I’m going to save it for next week.

It involves a quote from a great artist that I am going to further research. I will let you know the name of the young player who shared the quote’s name was Cass Dorrington.

The artist he quoted was Picasso.

You have got to stay tuned in for this too because it’s good.

Staying with today’s theme of learning from young players, how about this. Harrison James, 12, of Chapin birdied his last 3 holes, and 7 of his last 10 to win his age division with a score of 4-under-par in the SCJGA Thomas Todd All-Star championship at The Patriot.

“I was in the zone in the last round and it was fun,” commented James.

When asked further about his reference to ‘The Zone’, this is what James said.

“I saw the trophy before I teed off and I wanted it and my dad said go get it and I did,” he said. “The Zone is when you’re so focused on the task at hand, that you don’t really realize what’s happening around you.”

Ashton Eubanks of Lexington placed 2nd with an even par performance in the boys’ 13 and 14 age division. Gage Gaskins of Lexington finished 3rd in the boys 10-12 age division and Emily Baker finished tied for 3rd in the girls 13-18 age division.

Congratulations to the other players who also earned their spot on the All-Star team - Trust Winters, Gavin Gaskins, Chase Cline, Jack Brady, Blaine Williams and Emily Anne Beiers.