What a Weekend

There are some weekends when golf reminds you why you love the game in the first place.

This weekend was one of those for me. A group of U12 boys, their parents, a county competition and a lot of golf. There was a trophy at the end of it, but it was everything that happened along the way that really stood out.

It got me thinking about what we get from golf beyond the score. The people we meet, the teams we become part of, the support we give each other and, sometimes, simply making the effort to stay around a little longer after the round.

There’s a bit of all of that in this week’s Scorecard, and even Scottie Scheffler got involved in the theme at the Presidents Cup.

So, let’s get on the tee…

There are weekends when you’re reminded that golf is about far more than what’s written on the scorecard but also that what is written on the scorecards is important too.

This weekend I was with our Cornwall U12 squad, competing against Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. Six boys in the team, with the best five scores counting, and a day of strokeplay to decide the winner.

We came away with the trophy. In fact, after the best five scores were tied, it came down to the sixth score to separate us. We also had the individual champion, and it means that this season we’ve won both county competitions we’ve entered.

As much as winning is great that’s not really what I’ll remember.

What stood out was the parents. They were there throughout, supporting not just their own boys but the whole team. The boys were enjoying themselves, the parents were enjoying each other’s company, and somewhere along the way it stopped feeling like six individual golfers playing for Cornwall and started feeling like a team. This had been established long before this weekend though. It had built up through a series of get-togethers over the summer, camaraderie at Junior Tour events and a shared WhatsApp group.

Over the weekend we were the only county that ate together. The only one that consistently socialised together, and, as the players finished their rounds and signed their cards, they didn’t disappear inside or go looking for something to eat. They went back out onto the course. They found their teammates and walked the fairways with them, supporting them every step of the way.

The best moment came at the end. Five boys stood around the green watching their sixth teammate finish his round. When that final putt dropped, they were all there together. Six players. One team.

Perhaps that’s what made winning feel so good. Not because we had beaten the other counties, but because of the way we had done it. Golf can be an individual game but it doesn’t have to be a lonely one. Sometimes the best part of the game is walking the fairway with someone else, cheering them on, and knowing they’ll do exactly the same for you.

That’s what I saw this weekend. That’s something worth celebrating far beyond the scorecard.

1. Make golf social
Golf doesn’t have to mean playing 18 holes and heading home. Grab some food afterwards, walk a few holes with someone, or make a day of it. The best memories often happen away from the scorecard.

2. Support someone else’s game
Next time you’re at the club, don’t just focus on your own round. Ask someone how they’re getting on, watch a few holes, or give them a bit of encouragement. Sometimes knowing someone is there is all it takes.

3. Celebrate the team, not just the result
Whether you’re playing in a county competition, a club match or a four-ball with mates, remember that everyone is contributing something. Celebrate the good shots, the effort and the laughs, not just who wins.

There was plenty going on at the Presidents Cup this weekend, but one little moment involving Scottie Scheffler caught my eye. Scheffler was playing Nico Echavarria in the singles when, on the 14th tee, someone in the crowd shouted during Echavarria’s backswing. His tee shot was pulled badly as a result.

Now, Scheffler could quite easily have just got on with it. After all, that’s match play, things happen, you take advantage where you can but when they got to the green, and Scheffler had missed his birdie putt, he conceded Echavarria’s putt.

It wasn’t some grand gesture. It was just one golfer thinking, that’s not really how I want to win a hole. In the end, Scheffler missed his own birdie putt, so the hole was halved but that almost made the moment better. He hadn't done it because he needed to. He did it because it felt like the right thing to do.

Isn’t that one of the great things about golf? You can be desperate to beat someone and still want them to have a fair chance to play their shot. You can compete hard without forgetting the person you’re competing against.

Matt Fitzpatrick wins in France

Matt Fitzpatrick continued an excellent 2026 with a three-shot victory at the FedEx Open de France at Le Golf National.

Starting the final round five shots clear, Fitzpatrick closed with a 70 to finish on 20 under par. It was his fourth worldwide victory of the year and his 11th DP World Tour title.

LPGA

Yuna Nishimura picked up the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship, finishing 16 under par to claim another LPGA Tour title.

LET

Casandra Alexander won the Buccellati Ladies Italian Open in Milan, finishing 12 under par and three shots clear. It was her second LET victory in four weeks.

Another busy weekend of golf — but for me, that little Scheffler moment was the one worth remembering.

Front 9 Dads — Be the dad who gets involved
You don't have to be the best golfer in the group, or even particularly good at golf. Get out there. Play with your kids. Join the four-ball. Go to the range. The important bit is being there. Sometimes the thing your kids remember most is simply that Dad was involved.

Back 9 Dads — Find your people
Golf is a great excuse to get out of the house and spend time with other dads. Don't wait for someone else to organise it. Send the message, book the tee time and get a few mates together. You might be surprised how many other dads are waiting for exactly the same invitation.

Clubhouse Dads — Make the effort after the round
Don't rush off as soon as you've signed your card. Stay for a coffee, grab some food or have a drink with the group. The round might be over, but that's often when the best conversations start. Golf gives you the excuse to get together. Make the most of it.

THE 18 HOLE DADS STABLEFORD LEAGUE IS COMING

Fancy having a reason to play a little more golf in 2027? We’re launching the 18 Hole Dads – Golf Dads UK Community Stableford League. One competition. One entry. A whole year of golf.

HOW IT WORKS 👇

🏌️ Play a minimum of one card every month
📊 Your best card each month counts
🏆 Your 8 best monthly scores from 12 months make up your final league score
🔄 Every 3 months, there’s also a Quarterly Competition based on the average of all your cards played during that quarter — rewarding consistency, not just one great round.

NO OFFICIAL HANDICAP REQUIRED. You don't need a WHS handicap or to be a member of a club but you do need to be able to show proof of your current handicap through an app (Grint, 18Birdies, Golfshot etc), iGolf or an official Handicap Index.

Whether you're playing off 5 or 35, there’s a place for you and because this is 18 Hole Dads, it isn't just about the leaderboard. It's about getting dads playing more golf, meeting other dads and having something in the diary each month.

Enter once. Play all year. See where you finish.

More details and registration can be found on the website

If this week's issue resonated, the best thing you can do is forward it to one dad who'd get it. That's how this community grows.

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See you on the fairway

Matt

18 Hole Dads

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