While watching the “Winter Tour” Competitive divisions of Pitner Orthodontics, Jerman Personal Service, and Kleen Sites at LinRick this past Sunday, memories of caddying for my children in this Recreational golf program came flooding back. 
This could be my single best lesson about golf that extends well beyond and into life. 
From the first time until the present, 25 years of asking the same question for all three children, “Who would you prefer to be your caddy?”, the answer has been constantly, “Mom.” 
The answer comes without hesitation. 
Without a doubt, the fact that mom sees golf as a game, with fun the focus is why they prefer her to caddy over me. 
Second, she unconditionally believes in her player’s ability despite the facts of where the ball went or where they stand in relation to par. Thirdly, Valerie provides constant encouragement, along with anunconditional belief in her children’s ability to navigate through difficult circumstances flows through both language and nonverbal communication.
So this is the quick easy answer as to why my children want their mom to caddy over their dad. It’s because Mom is easier to have fun with on the course and no matter what the circumstances, she offers encouragement. 
The article today was inspired by two “Tour Super Moms”. The first is Susan Thomas, who was walking with her son, Taylor, who is a senior at Chapin. She was grinning ear to ear walking with Taylor as a “supportive observer.” 
“I enjoy being out here and watching him play,” commented the cheerful “super mom.”
Octavia Bowers was another. As I finished my short conversation with Thomas, she drove up in a golf cart. She was watching her son Brandon. 
It was a damp, cloudy cold with light winds and 46 degrees temperature. I could easily tell Octavia was not feeling well. It turns out she had chemo treatment earlier in the week and, although her eyes were weak, her smile was beautiful and her voice oozed strength.
It was quite a powerful picture that inspired today’s article. 
Brent and Christian Wilson tied for medalist honors at LinRick with Chase Cline placing 3rd. 
At Mid Carolina Club Caroline Hardwick, Clayton Hurd, Tessa Kalish, Henry McNeice, Rip and Sloan Odom, Campbell Sanderson, Austin Weems, and Delaney Wilson all had the interest to participate on this cold, damp and windy afternoon in the Huckaby & Associates, On Call Plumbing, Walker Morgan Attorneys Divisions. Golf is an outdoor sport and sure glad these players are recognizing this early.