There's a new game at the Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course
By John Joyce
Published in News on November 2, 2014 1:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Sean Doulin, 14, tees off during his first round of footgolf at the Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course on Saturday. The game, a combination of soccer and golf, is a new addition to the golf course where the staff hopes to provide Goldsboro with another recreational activity. A portion of the profits will go to Communities in Education.
The origins of the sport are unknown.
Some say Sweden, others credit England.
The only certainty, as of Saturday, is that Wayne County's first home for footgolf is now open for business.
The Goldsboro Municipal Golf Course boasts 18 holes of footgolf on it's front nine holes for about half the price of a full round of regular golf, or about $12 per person, resident PGA pro Jody Deans said.
"On a trial basis, until we get the kinks out, we are still asking that on weekends players plan to start around 2 p.m.," he said.
Footgolfers, like regular golfers, should still call ahead to schedule a tee time.
Footgolf is exactly what the name implies -- golf played with a soccer ball.
The sport sweeping the nation was brought to Goldsboro in a collaborative effort between CIS and the Goldsboro Parks and Recreation Department.
Selena Bennett, of Communities in Schools, said the sport is a family-friendly endeavor that can get both parents and their kids active and fit.
"It's played on a regular golf course with a No. 5 soccer ball, she said.
Recreation supervisor for Goldsboro Parks and Recreation Russell Stephens said the sport is something athletes in other sports can do to stay game ready.
"Athletically, it helps to stay in shape, it helps with conditioning and running, and you still have to kick the ball so it can help with accuracy," he said.
It is something a person can start playing at an early age and continue to do their whole life, Stephens said.
Among the first groups to play the course was Goldsboro City Manager Scott Stevens and his family. "It took us about 45 minutes," Stevens said. Despite the cold and wind, Stevens said he worked up a sweat and was even a little winded after a full course.
The Gerrard family, too, hit the links, so to speak, on Saturday.
Cam Gerrard, celebrating his upcoming 12th birthday, invited a half dozen friends out to the course. His parents, Ken and Lara Gerrard, supervised and are considering getting in on the fun next time.
"From their reaction, it is something that is easy to pick up and anybody can do," Ken Gerrard said.
Gerrard, an avid golfer, said he could see a group of adults taking up the sport and it being a great time.
"The only thing you have to watch is hitting the ball in the water. You have to get it out of there," he said.
It's not like sinking a a golf ball in the drink and simply getting a new ball out of the bag.
"You have to go in and get it," he said.
And, as if on cue, Gerrard narrowly missed a wayward soccer ball that got away from the party playing behind his son's group. Not to worry. No one ended up getting wet. Gerrard wrangled the ball to the edge using the flag from a nearby hole, and another parent scooped out the wet ball.