After living many years in Central Florida, I have recently relocated to the city of Birmingham, Alabama. Most of my friends, associates, and kin know I have been and still am an avid golfer, however, I must confess that I like the game much better than I play it. As a retiree, I now have much more time to play than I did during my working life.
I believe most would agree, moving anywhere after you’ve lived in the same place for a long time can be somewhat traumatic. For an avid golfer whose life revolves around this sport or diversion (take your pick), this could be a particularly unsettling experience. In Florida, I had my once-a-week regular group that consisted of 16 to 24 players. These were both working and retired folks. I also enjoyed playing once or twice during the week with my regular foursome on Orlando area golf courses.
A DIFFERENT KIND OF CHALLENGE
Birmingham is a bit different from Central Florida. Golf here presents a different kind of challenge. The city does not have nearly as many pleasant days to play as does Florida. It also does not have as many courses as Orlando but the courses here have a variety of terrain and other qualities that provide as much challenge and enjoyment as Florida courses. In winter and fall months, there are certainly fewer good golf weather days, which means there may be a rush to get to courses to get play in when the weather breaks. Additionally, golf rates here are relatively stable throughout the year.
Roebuck Municipal Golf Course: Par: 37-34–71. Yardage: 5,127 to 6,355 yards. USGA course rating: 64.6 to 69.1. Slope rating: 105 to 117. Greens: Bermuda
As a new resident, I had my first play day here at Roebuck Municipal Golf Course in Birmingham as a guest of The Vulcans (a prominent African American golf group in the city). I lived in The Orlando area most of thirty years and, was primarily a member of three African American golfing groups during that time.
Pictured Michael Gunn (R) and Jarvis Patton (L) members of the Vulcans golf club in Birmingham
Sidehill, uphill and downhill lies made Roebuck play pretty tough for this Florida transplant. The greens were smooth and fast and some were extremely hard to two-putt, however, I was lucky enough to negotiate my way through the competition without taking out a Title Loan on my car.
The Vulcans are a classy and wonderful golfing group. Everybody welcomed me as a “newbie” and invited me to play with them again. Lunch, watching live golf, having good conversation and libations was no different from any of the many other after-golf activities I enjoyed in Florida.
I’ve played golf in Birmingham before at various resort courses but this was decidedly different. Roebuck Municipal has that down-home feel and the golf is just as enjoyable and challenging as other courses I have played in the city.
Many golfers I met—or saw—reminded me of the many other African American golfers I’ve played with in Florida or other places I’ve traveled. The familiarity I felt was indeed comforting. I felt instantly at ease with this group.
This golf day reminded me that, often times we, as African Americans do it differently. We’ve taken a sport that was not inherently ours and made it our own in our own special way.
I am presently acclimating myself to this beautiful city and actively seeking a permanent residence but my search for my Birmingham Golf Family is over.
Otis Windham is a freelance golf writer and author with over 30 years of experience in the golfing industry. He has organized national and international golf travel for various golfing groups, is past president, travel and events coordinator for two major African American golfing organizations, and, is a member of the African American Golfer’s Digest Advisory Board.
