After long and successful corporate careers, Ric and Lucinda Sheer decided they would spend part of their retirement years giving back to a community they have called home for over 15 years. The couple lives in the Weddington area and volunteers at the Wells Fargo Championship at the Quail Hollow Club. MMHW file photo
Golf is one of the few “lifetime” sports seniors can actually enjoy well into retirement. With our beautiful weather and climate, golf is a year-round sport in Charlotte save for the occasional snow day or rainstorm. But with over 300 golfable days on the calendar, it may be hard to figure out all of the things seniors can do with the game of golf. Here are just a few of the many ways golfers can get their game on in the Charlotte area.
• Join the Charlotte Senior Amateur Tour
For more serious golfers, joining a tour is a great way to stay competitive and stay social. This tour ended its 2019 season on Oct. 1, but there will be events for 2020. Last year, the tour made 20 stops in and around the Charlotte area, playing at places such as Ballantyne Country Club, Northstone Country Club, The Palisades, Firethorne Country Club and Monroe Country Club. They typically play two to three rounds a month, and a one-year membership costs between $80 and $100.
Details: www.senioramateurgolf tour.net, or contact Tour Director Phil Van Geersdaelen at Charlotte@Ama teurGolfTour.net or at 704-608-6705.
• Play with fellow seniors on the CGA Tour
For the competitive golfer, the Carolinas Golf Association holds men’s and women’s tournament brackets. This season’s tour culminates with its 58th running of the Carolinas Senior Amateur Championship that will be played at Mimosa Hills Golf & Country Club in Morganton. The cut line for the most recent tournament was 5-over par and the winner shot an even 72, so this is for the serious golfer only.
Details: 910-673-1000 or https://www.carolinasgolf.org
• Visit Topgolf Charlotte
The newest and most exciting craze in golf has come to Charlotte with Topgolf. Try fun games like Top Golf, Top Scramble, Top Chip or the Quick Nine. Most games involve hitting stationary targets to accrue points while trying to beat your high score, your playing partner or the whole group. Topgolf Charlotte offers over 100 hitting bays and is equipped for all skill levels from novice to the pros. There is also a full-service restaurant and bar, golf leagues and lessons available.
Details: Topgolf Charlotte is located at 8024 Savoy Corporate Drive. 704-612-4745, or https://topgolf.com/us/charlotte
• Buy some new equipment
There are many options when choosing where to buy a dozen balls, a bag of tees or that putter or driver you’ve been eyeing. Dick’s in Pineville in fully renovated with their own golf store inside that’s definitely worth checking out, but Dick’s has locations in south Charlotte, Union County and Matthews. Also in Pineville is Greater Golf Express, which competes with the box stores and has one of the biggest lefty departments around. Academy Sports and Golf Galaxy also have large selections of clubs and apparel.
• Play a round on the cheap
There are many ways to search for your next tee time, but unless you’re a member somewhere you’re doing yourself a disservice by not using an online discount tee time finder. Sites like Teeoff.com, GolfNow.com and SupremeGolf.com offer rounds in south Charlotte, Mint Hill, Matthews, Union County and outside of town. Most rounds offer savings of around 20%, but there are bargains to be had that can save up to 70% off your round. And, the best part is with the selection of courses, you can always find a deal that suits your budget and skill level.
• Get a lesson from the best
Golf is such a complicated and mental sport that the last thing I need is a voice in my head telling me what I’m doing wrong. But if a lesson would do you some good, all courses have head pros that will give lessons at varying costs and intervals. But if you want to go all in, why not shoot for the best? Charlotte is home to the Dana Rader Golf School. Rader is the best in the business, and her school is rated as one of the top 25 best in America by Golf Magazine. She’ll get your swing fixed.
Details: 13404 Ballantyne Corporate Place, (704-542-7635
• Volunteer at the Wells Fargo
Once a year, Charlotte hosts the Wells Fargo Championship, one of the premier non-major tournaments in the country at Quail Hollow Country Club in south Charlotte. The tournament has been attended by some of the world’s top golfers, and past winners include Jason Day, Tiger Woods, Jim Furyk and the tournament’s only two-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Volunteers can serve food, become an usher or work the driving range alongside the stars.
Details: https://www.wellsfargochampi onship.com/volunteers/volunteers
• Get out and play
Charlotte and its surrounding towns are home to dozens of golf courses to choose from. There are package deals for playing at Ratcliffe Golf or Carolina Golf Trail courses, or you could play somewhere you’ve never been with many other exciting options under an hour drive from the city.
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