Let’s tee off 2021 with the reasons to place golf high on the recreational priority list.

The 1st and foremost reason is it is outdoors and meets easily CDC safety guidelines.

Number 2, walking is a huge part of the game, even when taking a golf cart, so exercise is a bonus feature.

The 3rd reason is golf is great for socializing. Since large groups seem to compromise safety, small groups of 2,3,4 or 5 are what comprises a game in golf.

The 4th reason is in addition to physical exercise to go along with social benefits, how about a mental exercise for 2021?

Golf can be just that and more. There are few other sports that offer the extremes of the physical and emotional scope.

Here is an example. For 1 hole, over the span of 10 minutes, it is possible for a brand new player in the game to outperform the world’s number 1 golfer.

Incidentally, that is Dustin Johnson who graduated from Dutch Fork High School close to 20 years ago.

It would be virtually impossible for a brand new 12 or 70-year-old in soccer, football, baseball, basketball, lacrosse or even tennis to compete with or even outperform the world’s best in those sports for 10 minutes.

But it’s not only possible, it actually happens in golf.

For 1, 2 or a few swings or for a hole or 2, a new or unskilled golfer can play just as proficiently as a world class athlete.

Picture this scenario. Grandma, dad, college age daughter and a 4th grade boy playing a game of soccer together. How about a pickup game of basketball? In golf, multigenerational participation occurs frequently.

Now that golf has moved up on your recreational priority list, be sure to check your local park’s website for upcoming family golf events

Several local juniors had impressive competitive performances over the holidays. Chase Cline, a 14-year old freshman at Chapin HS, placed 5th in the boys 13-18 group at the SC Junior Golf Association’s Santee 1 Day event.

Edie Raine Hardee of SC High School League Class 3A champion Gilbert placed 5th and Alex Hodge of Class 5A champion Lexington was 7th in the girls 13-18 group.

The 2020 winner of The Masters grew up in this golf community.

The Midlands has been a fertile seedbed for cultivating world class golfers.

There are numerous individuals responsible for supporting youth and junior golf that I enjoy recognizing. People like Kirk Morgan, Charlie Roundtree, George Elfering, Robin Waters, Randy Waters, Will Branham, Brian Summer and Rohan Allwood are “golf difference makers” in our community.