Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2012 - 36

(punch shots
)
MGANews
InsidetheMGA
Go Ahead-Consider Competition
this Season
By Tom Ryan
I
n promoting the game to new golfers,
young and old alike, we often speak of
the recreational side of golf: the camaraderie
of playing with friends and family, the
healthy aspects of a good walk, the beauty
of a golf course, being with nature and just
having fun. All these things are important
to the future of the game-and to making
it attractive to the next generation.
And then there is the competitive side
of golf.
Thousands of MGA members, all avid
golfers, enjoy this aspect of the game
through playing in MGA championships
and in Senior Tour and Member Day
events. Many more play in evening leagues
or their club events every week. For many,
their club championship is the highlight
of the season.
But make no mistake: The competitive
game and its recreational cousin are the
yin and yang of golf.
can make the swing of even the most fl uid
player feel eerily disjointed; a confi dent
putting stroke can become a case of the
yips in the blink of an eye. Just ask Kevin
Na, or your golf buddy in the Tuesday
night league.
But I would suggest to those who have
never played a competitive round to try it.
Sign up for a weekend event at your course
or for an evening league. You'll fi nd out a
lot about yourself and your game (see
Backspin, page 40).
You may not have the Handicap Index
it takes to play in a state championship,
but the popular MGA Senior Tour and
Member Days offer net competition. And
if you would like to take your handicap to
the next level, there is the annual MGA
Net Team Championship in Brainerd.
Of course, most club events, including
the fl ights of the club championship, are
handicap events as well.
The beauty of the
Try the competitive game.
You may just fi nd out that you
are one of those who plays
better when it counts.
" There is golf, and there is
tournament golf, " Bobby
Jones once said. The greatest
amateur competitor
uttered those words nearly 90 years ago,
but they remains as true today as they
were in Jones' day. Call it nerves, butterfl
ies, excitement or anticipation, but the
fact is there is a much different feeling
teeing up for the fi rst shot of a golf
tournament than when playing a
casual round with your buddies.
Knowing that every shot counts
34
MINNESOTAGOLFER Summer 2012
game is in its simplicity:
hole your ball
in the fewest number
of strokes. There are
no pictures on the
scorecard, so how
you golf your ball is
irrelevant. Try the
competitive
game.
You may just fi nd that you
are one of those who plays
better when it counts than in
a casual round, because you
focus better.
The pros will tell you that
success is determined by how
well you manage your emotions.
I like to think it's how I
manage those four footers. But
you won't know unless you give
it a try.
See you on the course
Get the Family
into the Game
Summer is a great time to introduce
your family to the game of a lifetime.
Coming July 9-15 is the MGA's 11th
annual Bring Your Family to the Golf
Course Week.
During that week, kids 18 and
younger play free when accompanied
by a paying adult. Participating MGA
member courses will feature a variety
of golf events designed to get more
families and kids on the golf course.
As all golfers know, the game can be
enjoyed by people of all ages and skill
levels. By getting your family into the
game, you'll be building a bond and
memories that will last a lifetime.
Check your local golf course for family
golf programs, or visit mngolf.org to
see a list of participating courses.
www.mngolf.org
Updates on people, places
and events from the MGA
and its Allied Associations
$430,835
The amount in green fees, cart fees,
merchandise (prizes) and food and
beverages the MGA contributed to its
member clubs during the 2011 tournament
season. That fi gure includes
MGA championships, MGA Senior
Tour and MGA Member Days, which
collectively visited 97 MGA member
golf clubs last year.
http://www.mngolf.org http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2012

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