August Is National Golf Month, Consider A Fun Family Golf Event

We celebrate National Golf Month annually at the O'Shea Open, a fun, family golf tournament

We're two weeks into August which for some signals the waning days of the golf season... and inspires feelings of melancholy.  Personally, I don't see it that way at all, and I'm guessing you don't either. 

Most of the golfers I come in contact with, even here in CT where winters are often long, welcome the prospect of Autumnal golf with almost the same enthusiasm they reserve for those first Springtime rounds.  With the oppressive heat and humidity behind us and fall colors beginning to show their splendor, golf can be be sublime in September, and in these parts the luster often lasts through Thanksgiving. So... nothing to be morose about right now. 

In fact, let's get back to mid-August, because August is National Golf Month and we're only half way through it. 

It's a month to share and celebrate golf, in any which way you want... from playing a round, to attending a tournament, to introducing a friend to the game. It's all good, and there are myriad suggestions, promotions, tips and trivia to be found online and in communities around the world, that will inspire you. 

I'm happy to say, I've done a bit of everything so far this month; I spent a couple of days at both the PGA Championship and the Travelers Championship, played several twilight rounds with friends and introduced our 9-year-old nephew, to the game at our local par-three. 

The O'Shea Open - Players of all ages & ability levels, 9 holes, with a family course setup.

Then, this past weekend was the O'Shea Open, an annual event that, to my mind, totally captures the spirit of National Golf Month. It's players of all ages and ability levels, 9 holes, with a family course setup. Best ball and teams of teams of 10... with a couple of cheerleaders along for the walk/ride. Yes, there are walkers and riders on each team and it's somewhat chaotic, but always fun. There's even a trophy, and we won it back this year, in a playoff. Exciting stuff. A quintessential American cookout follows the tournament in the shady picnic area beside the putting green. 

The thing is, I've seen many of these young, first-time players come back to the tournament over the years, having improved from taking lessons, practicing and playing regularly. From their first exposure to golf at this casual, quixotic outing these kids have clearly developed a love for the game. 

That right there is the spirit of National Golf Month.