The future of the game of golf is safe. His name is Cooper and he is 8 years old.

On either side of the debate concerning the future of golf are “experts” focused on grooves, the ball, new technology and the obsolescence of classic golf designs. None of these matter if you’re 8. What matters is the game. What matters is swinging the club, watching the ball fly into the air (how far isn’t important,) hearing the sound the ball makes when it drops six inches straight down into the cup and spending four hours with your Dad. These are the really important things to an eight-year-old.

I met Cooper and his Dad, David, at Half Moon Bay Golf Links just south of San Francisco. As a golfer going out as a single I was at the mercy of fate to determine my playing companions for the day. As I waited patiently for the Starter to call my name for the “Old Course,” I rolled a few lazy putts to judge the speed of the greens. “Whoa!” A small voice behind me exclaimed when my 30 footer dropped into the cup on its last turn. I glanced over my shoulder to see a small boy with an ear-to-ear grin. “Nice putt,” he remarked as he dropped two balls on the green and began his own warm up. “Thanks,” I replied, returning immediately to my own little world.

Moments later the Starter approached and told me I would be in the next group teeing off. I walked back to my cart and pulled up to the first tee. The Starter made the introductions as I joined Mr. David Ketsdever and his son Cooper on #1. David and I would play from the blue tees (a testy 73.4/131) and Cooper would play from the Forward tees. #1 is an uphill double dog leg, par-5 with OB left, plenty of trees on both sides. Cooper was a real boost to my ego as he let out robust “WOW” when my drive traveled 256 yards into the middle of the fairway. He would be that appreciative of good shots all day.

Truthfully, it didn’t matter to me what any of us shot. I got to see the future of the game of golf. Here was a kid who was courteous, knowledgeable and delightful to be around. Coop knows the rules. His Dad made sure that Cooper never forgot his manners. Coop took his time over his shots, but was never slow and he always had a great attitude. He was so happy to be playing golf. I especially enjoyed when he putted. Coop’s no-fear putting stroke was always followed with a look of amazement when his putt didn’t find the hole. He just knew he could make EVERY putt! Priceless!

Sure, we lost Cooper a couple of times. Once a group of kids on bikes came peddling by and we lost Coop as he watched them speed down the hill. We also lot him while we were looking for David’s ball near a pond…hey, searching for a golf ball can’t compete with live frogs, no contest. On the 15^th hole we lost him again but truthfully we ALL got lost as we watched a hawk sitting on the ground right next to the green toying with a frog held tight by the hawk’s talons. On 17, a 121-yard par-3 for Cooper, we nearly lost him when he came close to falling into a bunker while watch his birdie putt barley miss the hole. His tap-in for a par was the highlight of the day!

After we putted out on the final hole Cooper removed his cap and shook my hand. I am still impressed. Later that same day I noticed Cooper and his father on the practice green. They chipped and putted and laughed for another hour at least. I simply smiled and with a little nod to the Golf Gods I left the course with the knowledge that the game is really quite safe. As long as there are 8-year olds like Cooper and Dads like David, it doesn’t matter if the grooves are U-shaped or V-shaped, it doesn’t matter if the ball goes farther or spins too much from the rough, all that matters is our love for the game and the chance for us to play 18 holes with or kids, or our dads, or our best friends.

Tom Watson said it best;”Golf will grow as long as it’s fun.” Thank you David and Cooper for making golf so much fun.