Ohio Golf Journal December 2019

MERRY CHRISTMAS, GOLFAHOLICS!! FRED ALTVATER You are a Golfaholic if: You watch a meaningless PGA TOUR Fall Series tournament on TV instead of an exciting NFL matchup. Every time a golfer makes a birdie, he must subsequently make two double bogeys to restore the fundamental equilibrium of the Universe..... The time for Christmas Caroling and Yule Cheer has arrived. Most golf courses in the north are covered with snow with Golfaholics only dreaming of lush, green fairways, smooth putting surfaces and gently swaying palm trees. This month we are featuring several Florida, Georgia and Coastal Alabama golf courses you can visit to escape ‘Old Man Winter.’ We also have three wonderful stories about golf and the benefits our sport provides, other than just playing the game. BrandonMatthews was distracted by a noise from a fan, just as he was trying to make a putt to stay alive in a playoff, in a Latinoamerica Tour event in Argentina, but he didn’t use that excuse and go angrily sulking away. When he learned the inadvertent noise had come from a fan suffering with Downs Syndrome, he immediately was concerned more for that fan, than his own misfortune. Brandon Matthews made millions of new golf fans that day and if Karma has any value, Matthews will soon be rewarded and make it to the PGA Tour. Ohio’s own Renee’ Powell has spent her life devoted to golf and is now reaping the rewards of her distinguished career. CBS recently featured a short segment on her work with Women Military Veterans in PGA HOPE. Finally, Lara Tennant learned that ‘Golf is Always Awaiting Your Return,’ even if you take 15 years off to raise a family. Her repeat win at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur and inWales for the British Senior Women’s Amateur prove that fact. As we wrap up our fifth year, we at Ohio Golf Journal and Back 9 Media Group want to wish our readers, advertisers and Golfaholics everywhere a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. If you’re heading down I-75, or across I-10 look for me on the Back 9. Frustrated Golfaholic Ohio Golf Journal