By Kyle Goltz
Communications Intern
Walking more than 6,000 yards of fairways and greens, crossing
state lines on a daily basis just to find themselves taking
a quick break in their foldable chairs on the 16th green
to see their son or daughter sink an 18-foot putt…these
are the parents of American Junior Golf Association members.
Without the mothers and fathers, tournaments could not go
on, scorecards would go unsigned and college golf scholarships
could not be earned. The parents of AJGA juniors are a key
part of the overall scheme in junior golf.
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| Roudebush won the Randy Smith Classic presented
by the Lubbock Sports Authority. |
Most of them give up their summers along
with their jobs to be at their child’s side through
the victories and the downfalls. Even with the four-hour
weather delays, the 100-degree temperatures and living out
of a suitcase for a summer, the parents would not have it
any other way.
With
a total of 74 AJGA tournaments throughout the country, ranging
from Park City, Utah, to Orlando, juniors and their parents
can rack up thousands of highway miles along with hours of
bonding time between parent and child.
Parents,
such as Linda Roudebush, Alan Smith and Kimberley Miller
found that spending and traveling the summer with their child
can bring more than just golf trophies, but can be moments
and lessons that last for lifetimes.
Aside from being a substitute teacher, a
volunteer at her church and volunteering for The First Tee
of Austin, Linda Roudebush still finds time to be alongside
her son throughout the whole summer. While her husband stays
back and works in their hometown of Austin, Texas, Roudebush
and her son, Scott, set out on the open roads of Texas while
only traveling to tournaments that take place in the Lone
Star State.
“Usually, we travel to Texas tournaments only,’’ Roudebush
said. “Scott and I would rather drive together than
fly.”
While traveling together, Roudebush explained that the best
part about driving is spending time with her best friend,
her son.
“It’s unique, I am basically growing up with
Scott through his adolescent years,” Roudebush said. “We
get to know each other on a different level, it’s our
bonding time.”
Going to every tournament that his son participants in,
Alan Smith always puts his family life first when it comes
to his work schedule.
Traveling to seven tournaments this summer,
Smith, father of Ryan Smith, has more time than usual as
a result to his decision to shrink his own business in order
to see every putt his son attempts. Owning his own insurance
company and being his own boss, Smith has seen the size and
profit of his company reduce, but on the other hand, can
travel with his son throughout the summer to further his
ambition for golf.
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| Miller won his first AJGA event at the Ringgold Telephone
Company Junior Classic. |
“I
am my own boss in the workplace,” Smith said. “I
come and go as I please. Spending that time with my son on
the road is worth it, those are the best times I have.”
Along
with shrinking his business, Smith also gave up one of his
passions just to be with his son, day in and day out.
"I
hardly play golf anymore ever since my son started playing,” Smith
said. “To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t have
it any other way.”
Along
with doing laundry, cleaning up after her children, and taking
care of the kids when they are under the weather, Kimberley
Miller still finds time for her son’s passion of playing
junior golf. Being on the road for five weeks straight with
her son William, Miller explained the best part of traveling
is being with her son 24/7.
“We
have similar personalities that go hand and hand,” Miller
said. “It’s nice to sit down and eat dinner with
your son every night. The chemistry between us is great.”
While
being a mother for her two other children, Miller sometimes
feels overwhelmed on the road.
“I
feel like I am going in 14 different directions sometimes,” Miller
said. “Trying to be a mom for my children back home
and being there for (William) when he needs me.”
Traveling
across the nation and being by their child’s side at
every tournament, the parents of the AJGA dedicate their
summer and time just to see their child excel in the golfing
world. Moments of seeing their child grow into a unique individual
and bonding with them every minute of the day, the parents
of the AJGA would have it no other way. |
