Thanksgiving and family go together.

What 1st attracted me to golf was the picture of families participating together.

The Krapfels, Healys, Lusks Chappells,Whittingtons, Chapels, Newnhams, and Rutherfords were just a few of the families that invited me to play along with them when I got started in golf.

I got a bit of a late start and really didn’t start playing until just after high school.

The idea of the entire family from very young children, mom, dad, and grandparents playing together was a unique recreational picture.

What is so intriguing is how players of varying skill levels, from brand new to pro, can truly enjoy playing together and even compete with each other.

The wide variety of golf’s formats, coupled with the handicap index system that offers a level playing field between different skill levels, could set up a memorable Thanksgiving holiday.

So the lesson and suggestion for today is to consider taking part of this weekend to the golf course.

The outdoors alleviate some of the covid-19 inspired stress and the forecast seems favorable.

How about this from 5-year old Connor Mathews when asked what he thought about golf. “it’s a good idea for our family to play together,” he said when asked what his favorite thing in golf. “(It’s)when we get to play more.”

The Mathews family are part of the fall Lexington Recreation and Aging Commision Family Junior Program.

Soloman George Henry, 4, whose family is in the Richland County Recreation Commision Fall Family Junior Program, had this to say.

When asked what his favorite part of golf was, he said it was ‘swinging the gol club’.

His mom, Lauren Benjamen answered this way.

“I enjoy learning together, as a family,” she said. The Linrick Golf Club hosted a fall season family finale for both RCRC & LRAC this past Saturday afternoon.

The Winter Youth Golf Tour is an upcoming family golf option.

Juniors of all skill levels ages 7-18 are eligible and parents are encouraged to participate as caddies, course guides or fans.

The most popular feature is the16 different courses that support this program around the Midlands.

Each Sunday afternoon during January and February, families and juniors play a different course.

December is holiday shortened, but Charwood and Linrick host the tour’s preseason.

Registration is still open. To find out more, call 803- 603-1718 or visit the following websites:

http://richlandcountyrecreation.com/fall-golf-programs-at-linrick-golf-course/ , icrc.net, https://sports. bluesombrero.com/lcrac

In closing, John Stoudemayer of Chapin had a personal record 33 on 9 holes at Mid-Carolina Club. The 69-year-old Lutheran pastor birdied Holes 4,5, and 6 for 3 in a row on the front 9.

Happy Thanksgiving!