Charlie’s Corner: What Impresses A 13-Year-Old?

Welcome to Charlie's Corner, the blog home for Golf Channel analyst Charlie Rymer. A lifelong Myrtle Beach golfer, Rymer, with his characteristic wit and unique perspective, will be weighing in on all things golf for Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday.

I just finished up my third consecutive week on the road.  After back-to-back weeks covering the LPGA at the State Farm Classic and the ShopRite Classic, it was off to Hartford for the Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour.

I was on the road solo for the first two weeks, but at the Travelers I had my 13-year-old son, Charlie, with me.  He's a great traveling companion and it's really neat to be able to take him behind the scenes on the PGA Tour. 
 

I'm able to keep him by my side, and as I go around talking to players they all speak to him and shake his hand.  To be honest, he doesn't recognize many of the guys but he does a great job of faking it. 

After speaking to Lee Janzen on the putting green, he had no idea who he was.  I told him Lee had won two US Opens and Charlie was somewhat impressed.  We went up an elevator with Ben Curtis.  Again, Charlie had no clue.  I told him that Ben is a British Open Champion.  He was a little impressed.  The same thing happened with Shaun Micheel and Todd Hamilton. 

He thought meeting major champions was all right but nothing real special. 

It really is hard to impress a 13-year-old. 

Then things started to turn around.  He saw Rickie Fowler, and I thought  Charlie was going to explode.  Rickie was wearing a bright blue shirt and outrageous plaid pants.  Hair was going everywhere and his ears where tucked under his flat billed cap.  I guess for a teenager crazy outfits are more impressive than major championships.  And that’s just fine with me. 

The important thing is that Charlie is excited about anything in golf.  We need for kids to think that golf is cool just so they can get their foot in the door.  They'll get hooked soon afterward.   And for Charlie it didn't take long. 

On Saturday morning he asked me if it was OK to go out and follow a group.  He walked 18 holes with Retief Goosen and Chad Campbell.  They shot 64 and 65. 

On Sunday he walked the course with David Toms.  On his own he pointed out how much he liked Goosen's rhythm and Toms' short game. 

Now he's itching to get out on the course and I can't wait to get out there with him.  If you are at a lull in your love for the game, get out to a PGA, LPGA, or Nationwide Tour event near your home.  Walk 18 holes with your favorite player.  Note one thing that player does that you don't. 

I guarantee it will give you the itch to play.  Then head on out to the course and start scratching.  And if the itch is really bad, then head to Myrtle Beach.  With over 100 courses on the Grand Strand you can do a lot of scratching.

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