Family Time on the Golf Course

The old saying is, "the family that plays together, stays together." Families all over the country have discovered the connection that comes with spending a day together focused on a common goal. For some families that goal may be a day on the water, for others a hike through the countryside. Other families have found a day on the golf course to be the perfect opportunity for family time and bonding.

Golfing is a great local sport; most communities have a golf course within a short drive. It is a sport that is open to just about any age, skill level, and physical ability. It is a way to enjoy the out of doors, get some exercise and fresh air, and have the challenge of improving a skill.

The Sadowski family, from Burnett, has discovered golf as an excellent way to spend family time together. Mom Jenna, dad Troy, and children Sydney, 12, and Drew, 9, are members of the Rock River Hills Golf Club.

"Friends of ours got us started in golf," Jenna explained. "They encouraged us to give it a try and that it was a great couples sport. We did it as more of a fun thing, which I think is a good way to start – fun nights like scrambles, where your score doesn't really count, but is a good way to get you involved."

From that initial try, Jenna and her husband loved the game and joined the Rock River Hills Golf Club with a couple's membership. When the children grew older, they invested in a family membership and both Sydney and Drew started summer golf lessons.

"I've been golfing since I was seven years old," Sydney said. "I like to be outside and play a sport that I like."

While Sydney and Drew first were introduced to the golf course by riding along on the golf cart as their parents played, it wasn't long before both children had their own clubs and were making their way around the course.

Golf pro Mike Burmania explained that the age of five is a good time to introduce children to the game of golf. At Rock River Hills Golf Club, he offers golf lessons for children of all ages throughout the summer months.

"The earlier the better to get them started," Mike said. "You need a lot of patience with the young ones, but it's important to get the kids going and help growinto the game. Hopefully they will keep golfing as adults. We do see more and more families golfing together."

"It's outside and beautiful scenery," Jenna said. "It is a sport for a lifetime. I wish I would have started earlier, but none of my family golfed. We usually just do the nine holes when we're with the kids and are out about two hours."

Sydney and Drew, both students in the Horicon School District, also look forward to the snack time after their game when they come into the clubhouse for a cold drink and a burger. As a family they get to the golf course about two to three times a week. Jenna commented that it used to be more, but the children are also involved with other school and sporting events.

"Some of the kids in my class also golf," said Sydney, who will be in the seventh grade. "I've brought some friends along that don't golf and we took them out once and they loved it. I've had friends who come out and because you can choose your teams they come with me. It's a lot of fun because we can talk together and play a game and be together."

Jenna explained that not only is golf a very social sport, it also teaches patience, manners and turn taking. "Golfing etiquette teaches you lessons for a lifetime," she said. "You have to be patient and take your turn, everybody as a group advances together. You have to have good manners – if there is a faster group coming behind, you let them golf through so they don't have to wait for you. With your home course, you are part of a membership, and like a family all the members will take care of the course. We teach the kids to take care of the greens and be respectful of the course so everybody can enjoy their day."

Jenna and Troy have been on several golf trips with other couples, they have even golfed together in Jamaica. As a family, Jenna explained that the pairing usually ends up as Jenna with Drew and Troy with Sydney. They have other extended family members who golf and during get-togethers the boys go off golfing while the girls go shopping.

The Sadowski's have a little friendly family competition when they play, but in the end, win or lose, it's about the time spent together.

"I just like to get out and play golf," said Drew, a soon to be fourth grader. "It's a sport I'd like to do every day. It's a family sport that your family can get together and have some fun."