GOLF

This week, I follow “golf son” Shaw James of White Rock, William Rainey, my new son-in-law, and George Bryan IV, my first born, to Vancouver Island, Canada.

They are all in pursuit of playing privileges on the Mackenzie Tour, which is the Canadian PGA Tour.

Having no idea what to expect, I assumed it would be like the North American frozen tundra I had heard about for years.

But WOW, what a surprise. It’s closer to a botanical garden and another one of God’s special surprises. I would have never thought a place this far North could be so mild in temperature, colorful, with an amazing variety of vegetation and wildlife.

Having one son at the level, the other’s pursuit is quite unique. The route to the “big leagues” in golf is very different than the other team sports. There is much information available on the “how and what to do” in most of the other sports, but in golf, not so much.

The three I am with this week are trying to figure out what Wesley already has, which is playing good on demand. Another way to explain what the players do on the PGA Tour do that all other players not on the PGA Tour are striving to do is playing their best under pressure, consistently. The greatest players find a way to play their best every day.

The greatest players reinvent their games when necessary. Contrary to popular belief, the best in the world don’t feel their best every day. The have many “off days” with full swing or short game, but nobody recognizes it because of their ability to, react, adjust and improvise. Most never know they are off because of the adjustments.

Know what they usually adjust when they recognize parts of their games are sputtering? Their game plan, strategy, and decision-making processes. They avoid their weakness and rely on their short games.

The greatest players and athletes in all of sport endure turbulence and rough patches differently than the rest. Many actually enjoy the idea of seeing how good they can play when their game is off.

Yes, there is joy, even fun, and definitely challenge when the task is greater and the hill is steeper. This joy and challenge, combined with a slight twist of frustration, mixed with mystique, stimulates the “special gear” the superstars have. This is what is referred to as digging deep.

So this week, in four rounds, my boys will be challenged at some point and my hope is they embrace, enjoy, and adjust, while having fun and getting it done.

Stay tuned for an update next week, while I’ll be in Jacksonville for the PGA Tour’s “Tournament Players Championship.”

If your young child is interested in getting started in golf, there are some great opportunities for them to try golf out this summer in a camp setting. The Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission will host two golf camps this summer for ages 6-15 and all skill levels.

They are each 3-day camps and will take place on July 16-18 and July 23–25. For more information please call (803) 345-6181 or (803) 772-3336.

George Bryan Golf Academy will also host two camps this summer. The Junior Golf Camp for ages six to 15 will be on June 25-27 and its Pee Wee Camp for ages four to six on July 9-11 from 9-11 a.m. Please call (803) 781-2063 for more information.