I feel pure joy when I’m on a golf course and I want to share that joy with others. Growing up I had no access to golf, and I did not take it up until I was 47 years old. In hindsight, I wish I had taken it up earlier, so I’d like to help girls start and continue with golfing.
How do you think Southland girls can benefit from the committee’s efforts?
Girls and women have golf issues that boys and men do not have, and I feel the committee will help girls with those issues. For example, there are fewer girls’ high school golf teams than boys’ high school golf teams, so golf can be an isolating sport for a teenage girl. I’m hoping the committee will create ways to make girls’ golf social and fun and not solely about competition. I am not opposed to competition, and in fact I love competition, but I think golf should also be fun.
You are planning to host the girls/committee in an upcoming event at Wilshire CC, which will include golf and socializing for the girls. What do you hope the girls take away from it?
Golf makes me happy, and I want to share that with others. I’m hoping the day at Wilshire is not only a learning experience, but that it is also full of joy and laughter. I hope each girl makes at least one new friend with whom she stays in contact. They could practice or play together or maybe even just email and call each other about their progress with their golf games.
Why should juniors, and especially girls, get involved with golf?
There are so many reasons that I don’t even know where to begin! You make great contacts when you golf. I know a student who just got a fabulous paying summer internship through a golf contact. You make great friends because all golfers have a special bond. Golf is great exercise. Golf is something you can do for the rest of your life. I have a friend who is 90 years old and he still plays weekly. Golf teaches you discipline, honor, patience, overcoming obstacles, persistence, tolerance and so many other important qualities. The handicap system allows good golfers to play with not-so-good golfers and still be competitive.