From football to golf? Escanaba Country Club offering free golf to Delta County football players

ESCANABA -- Football players all over the state of Michigan lost their fall season last Friday, leaving a huge hole in many of their lives.

Escanaba Country Club director of golf Jeff Rae knows he can't bring football back, but as a former player himself, he knows what that must feel like to have the season postponed and potentially canceled.

With that in mind, he decided to do something to attempt to fill that void -- by offering free golf to all Delta County football players for the remainder of the golf season.

"The ultimate goal is to do everything we can -- as a club and as a membership -- to be there for the kids affected by this," Rae said in a phone interview Monday. "I think it's a lot bigger than people think. I'm a past football player, and if I found out midway through the month of August that our season is not happening, I would be devastated. You work so hard for your football season every year in the offseason, so my ultimate goal would just be to let the kids know that we're there for them in a way.

"This isn't football, but it's a way for them to be active and get their minds right. It's a place for them to just come and clear their heads and know that the community is behind them. This is just one form -- and it's a small form -- to say that, 'Hey, we're thinking about you and we want to be here for you any way we can.' We want them to be able to just have some fun on our course."

Players of all ages who lost their football season are welcome to attend.

"It's open to anyone that's affected by this -- whether it be junior high or high school -- I'm going to open it up to everyone. If you were planning on playing football this fall, the golf course is now available to everyone," Rae said. "That being said, one of my biggest things when it comes to golf is taking care of our golf course and making sure that it's not being abused, but I'll have those discussions with people that are going to be introduced to this program. I'm sure I'll have a large group that's going to want to take advantage of this, which is my goal. The more football players and future golfers that come out, the better. I want to educate them on our sport and basically just have them treat our course as if it would be their own. Obviously, you want it to be taken care of."

Not only will players be treated to free golf, they'll also have the opportunity for free instruction from Rae or any of the members who want to help out.

"I sent out a couple feelers as far as membership. We have a very willing membership that is always wanting to help out youth golfers and potential future golfers," Rae said. "I'll find out exactly who's exactly going to get involved in that program, but as far as myself, it'll be a case-by-case basis and who wants to do it, and how many people I get to take advantage of it. It'll be some form of lesson, or if somebody comes in and says, 'I've never played golf before but I want to learn,' I'll make sure I get out there with that player or players, and try to introduce them to the game of golf and coach them."

Golf isn't exactly football. It's more of a finesse sport that takes a lot precision, coordination and patience, whereas football players can sometimes simply dominate by being bigger and faster than the player they're lining up against.

"Golf is a much different sport, but it's also a competitive sport," Rae said. "I thought why not offer them free rounds of golf, give them a place to go and clear their mind, and spend some time outside in a safe environment with their fellow players or friends or family. A light bulb just kind of went off and I realized we have an opportunity to offer them something that is much different, but at the same time it gives them an option to do an activity."

At the end of the day, Rae noted the biggest thing in offering this is trying to help kids mentally. Losing football is tough on those who put a ton of work into it.

"My biggest thought about this has been the mental state. I want to do everything possibly on my end, and the board of directors agreed with my idea. We're all on board with this, and the more interviews I see and the more press conferences I see and the more information I see online, that's one of my biggest concerns is the mental state of all these players," Rae said. "Golf is perfect for that. Even though you're not a golfer, it's a great place to clear your mind and have fun and laugh and enjoy the presence of other players. It's just a good place to come.

"When a lot of people go through hardship -- and I see it all the time -- they're out on the golf course. It's just a good place to be, so I'm hoping we can get the word out so that players and coaches and parents are aware of the opportunity that's been given to them. It's quite a good opportunity -- to give away free golf for the next three or four months is quite the gift."

Rae noted they might have a season-ending tournament where players could compete for their school if things go well, and he also mentioned the new friendships some of these players could make.

"We have a lot of golfers out here who are in junior high or high school. They play every day of the summer and they're not football players," he said. "Those kids are probably going to be more than willing to make some new friends and give the new kids some instruction and teach them about the game and what they know. I think it's going to be a win-win for everyone. We just gotta get the word out."

Rae also noted if anyone has any clubs or old pull carts they'd like to donate for individuals without clubs, it would be greatly appreciated and they can be dropped off at the pro shop. Folks can contact Rae at the pro shop with any questions (786-4430).