Two weeks ago my wife and I traveled from Mexico back to the mountains of Colorado for our 43 year old son’s wedding – the first marriage for both him and his new wife! Finally!! To say every moment of the trip was special would be a great understatement.  

However, there were a few moments that did stand out, and golf seemed to be a part of most of them. We got to see my younger brother and two of his grown kids, and of course eventually the clubs came out for our traditional golf version of the old basketball game H-O-R-S-E, in the park behind their house. A great exhibition of unusual golf shots!

The day before the wedding we played golf with our son and grandson. It was one of the few times I didn’t care at all how I played. Three generations of the family had 4 uninterrupted hours together – tough to do the day before the wedding – but it happened and it was incredible!

The day after the wedding we visited our previous mountain home and the nationally ranked 27-hole course we had spent more than 20 years managing. We probably saw a hundred old friends, and were able to play golf with a lot of our buddies. We laughed till it hurt.

My older brother, who still lives there, has recently retired and is now getting serious about his golf. Over the next five days I was able to spend several hours working with him on his game. He improved a lot and it was great spending time with him and our nephew, too.

I could go on and on about our trip but I’m sure I’ve bored you enough already. The point is, golf either brought our family and friends together, or it played a major role in the time we spent together.  

Golf brings people together. Sure, it’s time consuming but it is usually spent with people we care about. And if they were strangers at the start of your round they were likely friends when you finished.  

Not only is golf a game with a huge following of active participants, it can be done at almost any age. And, it gives us the opportunity to spend time with people we enjoy.  

I made golf my career because I loved to play the game. I have stayed in golf because I love the people that love the game, that respect the courses they play on, and the rules that govern the game. Golfers are good people.  

I like good people and THAT is why I love golf. How about you?   

Kim Anders is Director of Instruction at the John Jacobs Golf Schools and Academies at the Estrella del Mar Golf and Beach Resort in Mazatlan Mexico. You can contact Kim at jkanders4@gmail.com.