The Power Of Golf: Written By Mark Croft

The Power of Golf
Written by Mark Croft
It is continually amazing to me how the game of golf is such a strong healer of the mind, body, spirit and soul of millions of people.

I have just returned home after three wonderful days of weather and golf in Sedona Arizona. I was officiating at the Antigua Junior Prep Tour State Championship which included some of finest junior golfers from around the state of Arizona. The event this year was hosted by the Oak Creek Golf Club in Sedona. Surrounded by spires of red rock formations, blue sky so pure you want to drink it, air so fresh you want to bottle it, gentle breezes that refresh your spirit and calm your soul and a golf course in immaculate condition ready for the state’s 120 best to begin their performance. (Put this course on your bucket list). The players range from 9 to 18 years of age, boys and girls and play in 4 age divisions. Over the three days I met some very fine young boys and girls, some wonderful parents and enjoyed watching a talent pool of very high quality youth golf.

On the first day of the event I was privileged enough to meet a fine young man by the name of Jarrett Fultz. Jarrett is a 15 year-old teenager with the same dreams and aspirations of any youth golfer you would meet today. He boasts a big broad smile and there is a gentle kindness about him that is warm and welcoming. He is in Sedona to chase his dream and to build on his life learning experiences as a junior golfer. His dreams and his goals are the same as all of his fellow competitors and he will play in the Championship Flight. Jarrett is just another of the fine junior players here at the state championship, except for one overwhelming difference, Jarrett has Cerebral Palsy.
CP is a cerebral disorder that effects muscle coordination and usually is associated with tremors, muscle dysfunction and lack of proper body motor skills. All the things you would think needed to play golf.

As I watched this young man meet his fellow competitors on the first tee, properly introduce himself and shake each hand, waiting for the starter to introduce him and then tee it up and rip it right down the middle of the fairway… I am left with the thought, how did he do that?

Jarrett began playing golf four years ago after he could no longer compete at baseball. For the first two years someone had to tee the ball up for him because his tremors were so bad he could not do it for himself. He taught himself through hours of practice and persistence to tee the ball on his own as he did on this beautiful Tuesday morning at the beginning of the tournament. Can you imagine? Two years to learn how to tee the golf ball on your own? His hands are challenged as well, but I am amazed at his proper grip placement and how he is even able to hold the club baffles me.
I watched Jarrett walk 18 holes carrying his own bag unassisted for two days as he competed against some the best juniors in his age division from around the state. I saw smiles, high fives and frustration, all the things you would expect to see in a 18 hole round of golf. He was just a normal teenager hanging out with other normal teenagers on a golf course.

Over the two day event the only assistance Jarrett needed was that another competitor in the group needed to keep his scoring responsibilities. His tremors are so challenging that he cannot write the score per hole in the space allowed on the scorecard. The biggest single challenge he faced was the three foot putt. The tremors worsen the more small exact motion is required
All in all it was a great event and winners were crowned in each division. In my heart I saw a player win the biggest prize of all…completion and a job well done, still wearing that big broad smile!
I named this article The Power of Golf for a reason. I have witnessed again as I have thousands of times, the power of golf to heal and grow the mind, the body, the soul and the spirit. This story embodies our message and our mission at Golf is for Everyone.

You may contact Mark at mark@markcroftgolf.com.  

Golf is truly for everyone.