For Christmas,Buy Your Kid a Junior Golf Membership

Hello my Peoples,

I am in the holiday spirit and feel like blogging away. I am originally from a good old black southern environment and this time brings back special memories. We were kinda of poor but never knew it because my mom was the ultimate spendthrift. We knew what we were getting for Christmas in June because my mom would layaway Christmas gifts 6 months early and it was mainly clothes with like one toy. My toys were always Tonka, because they were hard to destroy. I am talking about the old Tonka vehicles made of metal not these plastic ones today. My mom worked 6 days a week and during Christmas the department store where she worked would stay open until 9 pm. On Christmas eve, it would close at 5 pm and that's when the fun for us but added work for mom would begin. She would cook all night long and wrap gifts before we woke up. In the morning we would wake up to the smell of country ham, cheesy eggs, biscuits and salty herring(never knew how the fish mixed in).

We made it because my father and mom had built our home and paid it off before he died when I was young, so that allowed my mom to raise 5 kids on her check and Social Security from my father. When mom wanted to buy furniture or clothes she would lay them away, but she bought the best. She would always say "If you buy quality goods like the white folks, then it will last." That is one thing she learned working in the houses of wealthy white people, they don't waste money just because they have it. When she was recommending something, she would say "That's what they are......." which meant that is what the white folks are doing. But, you know what; her philosophy got me into some of the best colleges, great organizations and allowed me to traveled to Europe and have a heck of a good life.

So, why do I say for Christmas, buy your kid a junior golf membership? Because, "That's what the white folks are doing." They have almost surrendered basketball and football for now until they can figure out how to change the rules of the game. Has anyone noticed how the free little leagues that we grew up with are being replaced with high priced travel teams? They are pricing us out. Now a days if you don't pay for kid to go to the expensive summer camps your kid better be the next Lebron because the high school and college coaches recruit from the camps for soccer, football and basketball. They are on these coaches radar in middle school. The game is changing and we don't know the new rules. But, let's talk golf.

Golf country clubs are looking to increase participation in the sport and the fertile territory is the young. If they get them introduced to the game, they have players who will pay for 40-50 years and will also draw in parents. The normal annual membership to the average golf club can range from $1000 to $20,000, but junior memberships can cost as little as $200 a year. Of course, you need to get the kid lessons with a pro(not too expensive,check out First Tee), but this will be the best investment you ever spent. You will introduce your child to a whole different world and, if they play in junior tournaments, to some of the best golf courses in the country. They will meet future pro golfers and make great connections. If they are good, they can receive full scholarships to some of the best colleges. You guys should follow the other black guy on the PGA Tour(besides Tiger), Harold Varner III. This brother graduated from East Carolina and made about $2 mil last year. So even though I like team sports like football or basketball, golf and tennis are the best defenses against bias and racism. In team sports, your playing time depends on whether the coach likes you or thinks you can contribute to the team. So many talented players waste their time on the bench with dreams deferred. But with golf and tennis, you don't need permission. Your destiny is in your own hands and if you hit enough balls and play enough tournament, you will get better. Now, I do have to warn you that at times you and your kid will be the only black faces in the clubs and tournaments, but this only teaches your kids tenacity and by the most people are polite and helpful. The Asian parents will embrace you also. In golf , the one with the lowest score wins. No one can prevent your kid from playing and its a lifetime sport and it is never to late to start them. Trust me, you will have a better time walking 18 holes with your kid rather than watching him ride the bench for 10 minutes of playing time. Parents, if you have girls, golf is where it’s at. The sisters can dominate. Trust me they can do more with golf than cheerleading. My boss never asked me to go cheerleading after work. You  will be raising strong sisters. Did you know that a black woman owns the golf course that the Arnold Palmer Invitational was played at and tha Condolezza Rice is a member at Augusta National, one of the most exclusive golf club in the country.

So, for Christmas, go get that golf membership and don't forget the clubs.
Finally, because you are reading this blog, I know you will have a frugal Merry Christmas.




Happy Holidays and remember what James Brown said, "Santa Claus goes straight to the Ghetto",

Frugal Frank OTBS