Four-year old Fasauni Harrison’s is growing up in Tampa, on the west coast of Florida where there is an abundance of sunshine—and more than 134 golf courses, according to the golf.now website. All-year long, she has the satisfaction of playing her most favorite game.
What’s interesting is how it all started. Fasauni—an Islamic name meaning “beautiful”—goes by the nickname, “Sauni”. She’s just as beautiful as her name andas cute as a button.
She began hitting balls on the driving range at the popular Rodgers Park golf course in Tampa, about a year ago, at the tender age of 3. Her mother, Brandy Harrison, previously worked there, about two-years ago, as a grill attendant and cart girl. She knows how passionate golfers can be about their sport and, has seen first-hand all types of fans, and fanatics, come through the legendary course.
One day, while visiting Rogers Park with her mother, Sauni picked up a gentlemen’s driver and just started teeing-up balls to hit. Unconcerned that the club was twice her size, Sauni didn’t let that deter her. The pint-sized preschooler was still able to get a strong grip on the club, and to hit the balls.
So happens, the very next Saturday was a scheduled “Family Weekend” at Rogers Park and Sauni and her mom were there again, together, with lots of others from the community. But, this time, Sauni was going to gain another level of introduction to the game.
She was presented with four clubs to experiment with: a driver, a putter and two irons. The little tyke’s curosity kicked in, full throttle. She became infatuated with the equipment and with learning what each piece could do, and how it felt in her tiny hands.
“Ever since, she has been playing non-stop,” says her mother.
Now, each weekend Sauni rouses her mom from a peaceful sleep, overly anxious to go to the golf course where her lessons are taught by Eddie “PaPa” Smith. She’s gaining headway quickly and most recently, became a member of the Littlest Golfer. She is very excited about participating in the upcoming 4th Annual Pee-Wee Golf Swing Contest, held by the Little Linksters LLC.
To gain more knowledge and experience in the game little Sauni, her mother and personal trainer often play together at Terrace Hills Golf Club in Temple Terrace, Florida. It’s Sauni’s home course and absolutely perfect to help grow her skills. It is also Tampa Bay’s only lighted nine-hole golf course and range. There are a a variety of playing lengths including 3 par 4 holes and a 200+ yd par 3. The pristine facility is fully outfitted to give little Sauni all the challenge she can handle.
“Sauni has a natural ability when it comes to golf and strong aspirations to be a professional golfer,” says her mother.
The youngster, who enjoys stuffed animals, billiant and consistently scores above level in her class of 16, in the subjects of reading, writing and mathematics. In fact, she is getting such high marks until her VPK teacher is advising for placement in advanced classes.
When Sauni is not out on the golf course, you can most likely find the cheerful tot smiling in a garden of green beans and tomatoes that she helped plant with her “NaNa”. Or, perhaps munching hot-buttered popcorn while watching her favorite past-time shows: Sponge Bob and Sohia The First, a popular computer-animated television series with Disney characters.
Rogers Park is a welcome respite for this budding young golfer. It has a great layout near Busch Gardens and, the best value to play in Tampa. Sauni is particularly fascinated with the park’s big roller coaster that sits behind the course and she hopes to ride it very soon.
