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Tell me why do Scottish people not allow rain to interfere with their golf nor their lives? They work the land and fish the north sea in lots of rain. I've experienced it. I am not sure I have the answers, but I do know ten good reasons why Port Alberni people should play more golf here.

These suggestions come from our decades of experience around pro shops, and golf courses and I think they can have a positive affect on one's lifestyle.

Ten reasons why more Port Albernians should golf.

1. Companionship: As Barbara Streisand sang, "People who need people are the luckiest people in the world." Having a friend to play golf with is one of life's great long standing memories. Sometimes the bond is so good, they forget the game and their memories of what took place on the golf course over time tend to last forever. I think it is important to remember that the next person you meet on the golf course could be your next best friend. You just don't know and you rarely get that kind of relationship standing in line at a store, shopping, or going for a walk. Play golf to meet your new next best friend!

2. Fresh air: Talk about something underrated. Being at a golf course where so much oxygen is created is not even considered by many golfers, let alone those who don't golf. It happens to be one of the essential elements humans require to live. Green spaces such as golf courses produce oxygen in large volumes from the process known as photosynthesis.

One of the best things I love in Port Alberni is taking my first breath of fresh air in the morning outside. It has a great clean smell to it. Breathing and golf go hand in hand. My wife is often asked the reason for her golf tournament successes and she will tell you today that breathing is one of the most important characterisitics of that success under pressure. It should never be taken for granted. Play golf to get the fresh air.

3. Exercise: These are tough times for many young people because of the computer age and I truly feel for them. I own, through business, five computers, but that will be the day when I spend more time on them playing games, than out and getting physical exercise. Medical locals in Port will attest to the obesity in this city. It is not something one should be proud of.

For us to get the maximum amount of oxygen, it requires the expenditure of a specific amount of physical energy in exercising and many feel golf is perfect for just that. It is the game of a lifetime meaning one can play golf up until they die compared to fast paced sports such as hockey, soccer and football, etc. Golf requires much walking on long, varied terrain, and best of all is the movement of swinging a golf club around one's body midline and its effect on staying trim in that area. It's rarely spoken of, but very true. Think about it. The benefits include: stretching, flexibility, strength, and stamina .... all good for the heart, lungs, organs, muscles, and the brain (for the computer). Play golf regularly and briskly to get healthy exercise and for the future of your body and mind.

4. For the game: The game is simply fun, and it has always been fun! Its simple too. You hit the ball from the tee area into a designated hole in the ground using golf clubs and playing by the rules in the fewest number of shots. Its concept is far easier than any computer game, but you have to have perseverance and dedication to succeed if you want to better yourself. You cannot give up, nor allow pride to get in your way. In Port Alberni, I have noticed many golfers do not like to keep score. I am not quite sure why that is, but it is a new phenomenon to me. Golf is like anything in life which is worthwhile. It does not come easy. Most games I play, I try to rise to what the game challenges me. I am not always successful, but I never quit. It is part of what keeps us alive. Also, the unique handicap system which the sport of golf owns virtually places every golfer on a form of level playing field making it fair in competition for people of all abilities to play and compete together. That makes it a rare game in itself. Play golf to enjoy the nature of the sport itself.

5. To be with nature: If we have made one very important move since coming to Port Alberni, it is that we reduced our gas emissions by growing the grass in non playing areas and built more bridges to minimize carbon gas use as well as minimized the use of pesticides. One of the results is the return to our area of wildlife. Pheasants and hawks as an example. How many people do you know who stop and stare when they see a deer, bear, or an eagle? Almost everyone because we all deep down love nature ... even those who deny it. On the day of this writing, a magnificent hawk is bathing in front of the clubhouse on the lawn. At many golf courses and definitely ours, you can see wildlife on any given day and it is special to share this golfing ground with these animals. Play golf to enjoy the wildlife splendour.

6. To be social: Most golf courses have groups of people who share common golf fun such as playing in tournaments, or volunteering for course improvement or events, or administering. Often these gatherings involve a micro community of fun and activities with others and it is rewarding to be able to be part of an organization or group and give something back either to the group, charity or whatever the cause may be. It's a healthy part of the golf community that allows us to function and be charitable in character. Play golf to be part of a group with like minded ideas.

7. The climate: Regardless of what Port Albernians say about the rain, it is a gift to us. We live in an area that allows us to golf 12 months of the year in this country. Ask any prairie person who golfs and they would gladly trade to play golf here all year round. One can tell the rain affects this community because the first words out of anyone's lips on any day will most likely include the word "rain." Watch and see. But what about the positive side of it? The climate is not only warmer, but the moisture in the air is wonderful for the skin. If you do not want to get wet on the golf course, dress for it. Get an umbrella, a good hat, proper outerwear that repels rain and still breathes, etc. Do not let the rain get you down. Rise up above it everyday and remember that the sun is still shining above those clouds. There are people in this world who would give almost anything for rain. This is undeniable. Play golf and revel in this community regardless of rain.

8. The facilities: When the new Jack Nicklaus course is finished in Ucluelet, our region will have all of the golf facility types and you will not have to go over the hump. The Alberni Golf Club is a semi private full length parkland hidden gem in B.C. An 18 hole course that you can join and be part of. The food is also great. The Long Beach Golf Club is the same but of the 9 hole variety. What I like about it is that it is a wilderness course with the sounds of the ocean surf nearby and I love golfing by the ocean anywhere. When the Wyndansea Oceanfront Golf Resort in Ucluelet is finished, Port Albernians will have an authentic signature golf course designed by one of golf's greatest legends. What a treat. And then there is us. We are the short course. As "mom and pop" golf courses go, we are amongst the best in Canada. I say that with no shame. I have played mom and pop courses all across Canada and know that what Jackie and I offer our customers in the way of friendliness, service, price, knowledge, and humbleness all with a staggering small budget is outstanding. It is also the best place to begin learning the game of the four with our instruction and relaxing atmosphere provided you are interested. In addition, did you know that both Hollies and Alberni have award winning teachers who have been recognized by their Provincial PGA peers for development of junior golf? So there you have it. Why go over the Hump regularly? Play golf at these facilities.

9. To be with your family: If your family golfs and you do not golf with them regularly, you are missing out on something that may haunt you forever when you're older. It is right up with having tea with the queen. This is where families bond when not at home. It is a place where chances occur to be a friend as well as a family member. It is place where opportunities arise for a parent to be kind, and be an example for setting an example. It's a place which allows the disciplinarian to be understood. It is the theatre for parents to show encouragement and their arena for providing restraint. There are few places on earth where families can join and do something like golf where good comes out always. One gets few opportunities in life to lead, show, and develop the chance to be a mentor like golf does. We introduced a "small fries" golf camp this past season which was extraordinarily well received, but subsequently disappointing in the few number of parents who did not take the time to play golf or walk with their kids this summer after the lessons. What an opportunity lost. Jackie and I played golf at every opportunity with our children. Golf to be with your family!

10. The big one. It's a way of life: It's true for Jackie and golf is a way of life, but the game is so popular in the rest of the world very simply because it is more than just a game. It actually mirrors living life. The golf course daily offers you the same experiences you visit in your everyday lives and who doesn't enjoy life? If you play the game in the manner it was designed, there is surprise, frustration, joy, humility, anger, happiness, creativeness, exhaustion, hunger, compassion, sensitivity, courtesy, courage and the list goes on and on. Most people do not realize this about golf. By playing golf, we come to realize we can cope with our own daily misfortunes. Golf offers simple problems that must be confronted. To become better we are forced into our creative depths naturally and by taking lessons, we learn to solve these problems. I am often heard to say that golf heals what ails and it is taken as a joke, but another case in point. We have a member who is young and not well in the long term I am told. He came, entered our recent Club Championship playing practice rounds and the tournament. I saw a different man in his eyes during those couple of days. He appeared much happier and enthusiastic in those two days than I have seen in the past two years. I wish he would play more and I am totally convinced it will improve his lifestyle. Also, the hormones in the body play a big part of the game compared to other sports. In most fast paced sports, adrenaline is produced amongst other things because of rapid movements of action, but in golf, it is the player who must naturally create the stimulation, again mimicking how one must rise to the occasion. I bring this up in times when all humans are faced with real problems and golf shows us how to solve those problems through inner means. Also, it has been said that one can live next to their neighbour for five years and never get to know them, but play one round of golf with the same person and you can really become naturally acquainted. That in itself is worth a life of happiness when we look and meet people in the world who wander about with their true self hidden. Inexplicably, golf is a revealer of character and in times of shyness, we all feel a need to express ourselves. And finally, isn't it interesting to see a sport where age and gender do not matter? Young play with elderly? Men play with women? Play golf to learn how to live better and to be happier.

So there you have it Port Alberni. In such a wonderful place in the world, why there are not more golfers, is beyond me, but these are some thoughts that many golfers the rest of the world over have discovered about the sport that may convince you to enjoy yourselves more. Take the time to see what the sport is about, take out a membership, get lessons, work on your game, and you may discover who you really are and how truly great it is to be alive and live in this city. Be positive, progress, and go forward.

Pat Little is co-owner of Hollies Executive Golf Course and is a golf pro.

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