Golf With Anne Marie - Forsyth Woman Magazine. By Anne Marie Goslak

 

My dad grew up very middle class. In the early 1950?s, the idea that he could take up the sport of golf seemed as possible as a man on the moon.

Unless you were rich, white, male and privileged, the path to this elite sport was through a tiny crack in the fence. My dad ?back-doored? his way into the sport by selling golf balls he found in the weeds near a local country club.

Later, he graduated from ?ball hawk? to caddy. This granted him access to the course on Mondays, when the club was closed to members. From this brief exposure, my dad fell in love with the sport and became an avid golfer as an adult.

He was more than surprised, when I, at the age of three, announced I wanted to be a golf pro. In 1971, women did not play golf much. This was before Title IX passed, requiring colleges to give equal funding for women?s and men?s sports programs. This was before women were allowed to play most courses before 2 pm on weekends.

I grew up playing on a municipal course. I worked at a golf club in exchange for ?free? golf lessons. With more access than my dad had, I was able to develop my game to a whole new level. I won state and national titles as a junior golfer. After being awarded a scholarship to Wake Forest University, I turned pro and played professionally for ten years. I transitioned from tour pro to teaching pro, and have spent the last twenty years working with thousands of students. This year, I have 30 students who play collegiate golf.

The world of golf has changed a lot since my dad first snuck onto a golf course. Country clubs have become more affordable, with no or low initiation fees. There are organizations like the Executive Women?s Golf Association, who offer access to golf courses throughout the Triad. Equipment can be purchased new or used, via the internet. Even golf lessons, which used to be available only to members of country clubs, are now open to all. You can attend an affordable group clinic for less than $50.

If you want to take up the game of golf, there has never been a better time. If you have questions about how to get started, feel free to contact me. I?d like to introduce you to the sport I love. You don?t have to be a member. You don?t need to pay an initiation fee. You don?t even need to be white, male and privileged. The door is open. Come on in!

- Anne Marie Goslak is an LPGA Class A Teaching Professional at Oak Valley Golf Club. She can be reached at www.GolfwithAnneMarie.com or call 336-345-4633.

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