GILROY—On June 1, Gavilan Golf Course looked like it was under siege. Several tiny rebels and their parents stood on the tee boxes kicking soccer balls down the fairways with wide smiles on their faces and laughter echoing throughout the course. But this was no act of defiance, it was the launch of FootGolf.
The new hybrid sport which combines soccer and golf has officially launched and was welcomed by about 40 people trying it their hand—or rather their foot—at it. Groups mixed with FootGolfers young and old were dotted throughout the course, trying to get their soccer ball into the 21-inch diameter cups in the fewest amount of kicks.
“It’s a new experience,” Glen O’Rouke said while FootGolfing with his family and friends. “We like to play golf, but we’ve never played football-golf before. It was new and we live right down at Eagle Ridge, so it was close by. I actually think it’s easier (than golf).”
O’Rouke’s group was the perfect representation of what FootGolf embodies—a family sport—PGA Professional Don DeLorenzo said. O’Rouke brought his friend Vicki Vanderboom and his 6-year-old daughter Madison as well as friend Shannon Miura, her daughter Ella and his 8-year-old neighbor Cole Pritchard out to play and the group was having fun learning the sport.
“It’s good to play,” Madison excitedly said. “I like that it’s just a nice day and we get to play all together.”
It wasn’t just families FootGolfing, however. DeLorenzo said several golfers showed up to play a round, but were greeted by a sign informing the course was closed due to the FootGolf launch. Instead of turning around and going home, they put their clubs back in the car and gave FootGolf a whirl.
Bringing FootGolf to Gilroy was suggested to DeLorenzo at the annual PGA meeting in January. The organization is backing the sport in hopes it will expose more people to golf. In fact, Gavilan G.C. is set up to allow golfers and FootGolfers to play in unison, teeing off and kicking off right after each other.
DeLorenzo said he was happy with the turnout and the feedback he received while touring the course full of FootGolfers. As word of the sport spreads, he believes it will become a community staple for not only families, but sports teams, companies and those seeking a fundraising opportunity.
“Everybody is smiling and laughing—that’s the big feedback,” DeLorenzo said. “Golf tournaments are very, very popular for fundraising—but not everybody plays golf and that limits the number people that can participate. There’s no limit to this. If you can kick a ball, you can play.”
The FootGolf course is open everyday in June during regular course hours and times will be refined after the number of participants is evaluated. It cost $10 for adults, $6 for kids and FootGolfers under 4 are free.
If you can kick a ball, you can play.”
FootGolf can be played everyday during regular course hours in the month of June, but will be refined there after.
It cost $10 for adults to play, $6 for children and FootGolfers 4 and under are free.
