ate: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 10:24:05 -0500 (EST)
From: Colin Coxall
Subject: Seniors Golf – Chatlist
I let out a cynical little chuckle when I read this on the Chatlist. I moved to Pittsboro eight years ago having lived in Minnesota and Florida, two States that promote their interest in promoting golf, as does North Carolina. North Carolina, along with Florida also promote themselves as “senior friendly”.
I had an accident to my back 40 years ago, which now does not allow me to turn my waist enough to effectively swing the club. I gave up playing standard courses 30 years ago as I cannot effectively play tee to green longer than 150 max.and find it both embarrassing and more importantly, disruptive to my game and those I play with, and pass-through players who constantly wait for me to complete the current green. I did receive one-on-one instruction from a certified golf therapist that resulted in me being able to play as good as I do now, in fact I hold a Hole-in-One certificate for one of the courses in Florida, but I have yet to find a par 4 or executive course anywhere close to Pittsboro. In Minnesota and Florida, you don’t have to drive more than a few miles between the abundance of short-course choices.
I have mentioned this to Commissioners, past and present, and many other officials. There a few interspersed practice ranges, but how sad that a State that boasts some of the Nation’s best courses cannot find any land in this rural county of Chatham to encourage the sport for those that do not have the physical capabilities, or those youngsters that are new to the game, and have yet to fully develop those skills. There are several local courses that make “accommodations” for seniors to play golf, but none with short tee to green distances. If anyone knows of a par 4 or executive curse within 10 miles of Pittsboro that can meet this “so unusual” challenge, I would be very pleased to know where it is as I have not played a game since leaving Florida, where the only negative to playing was to watch out for ‘gators in the water hazards, or sunning themselves in the sand traps.
To our Commissioners and the Council on Aging, I would yet once more encourage you to seek some commercial support to build at least one public course within the area, either on land donated within a sub-division, or free-standing within a park area.
Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 12:18:03 -0500
From: Lindsay Hickling
Subject: Calling all Golfers ages 55 and better!!
Calling all Golfers ages 55 and better!!
It’s time to get ready to for the Senior Games which will be held April 13 through 20. Golf is just one of the many sporting events offered by the Chatham County Senior Games. For those interested in the arts, there will also be visual, literary, heritage and performing arts. Remember that you participate in your own age category, from 55 to 100 and you may qualify for
the State Finals held September in Raleigh. Registration deadline is March 16, 2011. For more information contact Lindsay Hickling at (919) 542-4512 ext. 228 or lindsay.hickling@chathamcouncilonaging.org