Golf is a wonderful form of therapy in these challenging times with the covid-19 social distancing requirements.

Many establishments are restricted and limited to opening during the quarantine, but golf is 1 activity that was not shut down which many have taken advantage of on the courses.

This is the playing season, so today’s 1st objective is to recognize local performances.

Congratulations to these local youth golfers who earned their way on to a very prestigious S.C. Junior Golf Association’s All-Star team:

•Boys 7-9 years - Sawyer Adams and Hampton Smith

•Boys 10-12 years - Luke Parsons and Matthew Roff

•Boys 13-14 years - Chase Cline and James Gibson

•Boys 15-18 - Jack Brady and Luke Hammond.

•Girls 10-12 years - Mia Andrade and Taryn Smoak

•Girls 13-18 years - Emily Anne Beiers and Emily Baker

These All Stars earned their way into the SCJGA All-Star tournament which will be played in 2 weeks.

There was no vote or selection committee.

The structure of the Tri-County Chapter does not allow for coaches or directors choice.

There is no credit given for outside participation and events are “weighed” evenly.

Points are awarded based on their event finish versus the field.

In amateur golf, there was an All-Star-like event played and just like the previously mentioned performers, the entry into the event is earned.

The South Carolina Golf Associations Amateur Championship was conducted at Columbia Country Club last week.

This is South Carolina’s premier event in which all amateurs strive to participate. There are 3 basic ways in which to earn a spot in the field. The 1st is to be a past S.C. Amateur Champion. The 2nd way is to finish in the Top 20 from the previous year and the final way is to earn a place through the 18-hole qualifier.

Just participating is reason to celebrate and congratulations to Chase Sturkie, Brooks Massey, Travis Cashion, Zach McClain, Michael Sims, Jordan Sease, and Sam Jackson for earning their way into the event.

Jackson actually placed 18th which earned a spot into next year’s field.

The Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission has a brand new golf offering called the “Junior Family Program”, that is very similar to youth soccer, baseball and dance.

The final event of the 1st season will be this Sunday at Lin-Rick and close to 30 families participating in the inaugural season.

It is set up similarly to the other sports mentioned above in that parents, grandparents or guardians participate in several ways with participation being an option.

The golf option is extremely unique to golf in that it offers skill building with the technique along with the cognitive or strategical side of the game.

Part of the program takes place at the local parks and then a transition to the course.

Families learn the total game of golf together.

The original seed for this Recreational Family Based Initiative was planted in 1987.

The first true family expression was 1992. Nearly 30-plus years later, this is the 1st official announcement and request for volunteer golf coaches.

If there is an interest in coaching golf, please call (803) 603-1718 or (864) 553-1592.