“I have a very important question for you,” local radio man Tim Smith said with a laugh.  “Do you play golf?”

This is a question that I hear quite often as people must think that someone of my age and occupation must enjoy time on the links, but my answer is always the same: Not very well and certainly not very often.

In fact, I have probably played golf three times in the past 25 years and hit balls at the driving range maybe a couple more times. Growing up less than wealthy in eastern Kentucky didn’t lend itself to tee times and green fees.

When I was young, I didn’t have the money. Now, with two kids and mortgages and everything else, I still don’t have the money but also don’t have the time.

This really doesn’t bother me as I don’t feel like I’m missing a whole lot, although I have nothing against the sport.

I actually love the concept of the competition. I have played many rounds of disc golf because I found it is much easier to throw a Frisbee into a basket than to hit a two-inch diameter ball a long way with a curved stick.

What I do miss is the ability to participate in events like the one Tim was asking me to join, a charity golf scramble designed to raise money for a great cause. I don’t remember if Tim was asking me to be on the radio’s team, with the Boonesboro Lions Club or one of the other many organizations he is engaged in.

Lots of great organizations use golf events as fundraisers to make a difference in the community.

So, I try to make up for it and offer support in ways that require far less hand-eye coordination. We have certainly sponsored teams, been hole sponsors and tried our best to represent The Sun.

Just don’t expect to see me lugging a bag across the back nine any time soon.

Our president and others say business deals happen on the golf course. Maybe that is true and I’m missing some opportunities, but I’m just going to have to find other ways to give back to the community and to enjoy Mother Nature.

Mark Twain said “Golf is a good walk spoiled.”

I don’t know if I’d go that far, but I’ll probably have to just stick to driving the cart, cheering on the professionals during the majors and looking for other ways to help support community causes.

Michael Caldwell is publisher of The Winchester Sun and Winchester Living magazine. He can be reached at (859) 759-0095 or by email at mike.caldwell@winchester