ONCE A ROYAL GAME, MANY NOW ENJOY GOLF

JACKSON -- Golf has sometimes been referred to as the "royal and ancient game." Once looked upon as a rich, old man's game, golf now appeals to all ages, and it offers splendid exercise, sociability and pleasure in the open air.

Something akin to the game now known as golf was played in Scotland before the middle of the 15th century. The name is derived from the Dutch word for club, "kolf."

Other scholars, however, believe the game of golf may have its roots ever further back in history, to the ancient Roman game of paganica.

Whatever its origins, the modern rules of golf came in about 1754, when several British golfing clubs unified the game under the rules of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland.

Even today it is the dream of professional and amateur golfers alike to play the course at St. Andrews, considered the birthplace of modern golf, said David Beasley, amateur golfer from Jackson.

Another famous course that's a favorite of Beasley's and other amateur and professional golfers is Pebble Beach next to the Pacific Ocean at Pebble Beach, Calif.

"Every golfer I've ever talked to wants to play at Pebble Beach because of the natural beauty of the course, and the ocean-side view," he said. "Of course, to play there you have to be invited, and the greens fee is $120. That's quite a bit higher than the greens fees here at Bent Creek."

Beasley grew up in Naylor near the Missouri-Arkansas border. He was graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1969 with a degree in business administration.

Beasley started playing about six years ago because of business contacts. Now he enjoys the recreational aspect of the game. While attending a financial seminar, he noticed participants took time out for a round of golf.

"People do business with people they know," said Beasley. "And one way to get to know people is on the golf course. I didn't play at the time, so one of the directors of the bank where I worked taught me how to play."

Beasley said golf is more than an opportunity to meet clients. "Golf is my relaxation," he said. "There are no phones on the course, and outside the group you are playing with, no interruptions. The time for a round (usually 4) is free time and a good way to enjoy the quiet outdoor setting, get some fresh air, and enjoy the game.

"To me, golf is a social game. Although I play with my regular group and we act very competitive with each other, we realize we are not professionals, and, thankfully, do not have to make a living earning money playing golf."

Beasley said the difference between a professional and amateur golfer is consistency. "The professional plays more consistent. He can shoot par or below on a consistent basis; therefore, he's able to sustain a living at it," Beasley explained. "Amateurs may shoot good scores a couple of times but not four days in a row."

When he started playing, Beasley's score was "in the 100s." Now he plays in the "low 80s," with a 10 to 12 stroke handicap.

Beasley said there are three types of golfers: the amateur, who plays for fun; the serious amateur, who enters amateur tournaments around the country; and the professional golfer.

Although any amateur may turn "pro" by attending the Professional Golfing Association's "pro school," Beasley said the majority of today's professional golfers are young athletes who have been playing the game since high school.

"There are very few "walk-on" professional golfers today. Most of the pros started in high school and continued through college, where they had well-trained professional instructors and coaches," said Beasley.

Beasley said at one time golfing was limited strictly to the private clubs and courses. But, with construction of public and semi-public golf courses such as Bent Creek in Jackson and the Cape Girardeau Jaycee Municipal Course, more people are taking up golf and enjoying it.

Like other golfers, Beasley takes advantage of mild winter days to play an eight-hole round to keep in practice. "During the summer I try to play each weekend, and join a late-afternoon group for a league event on a weekday," he said. "During the winter it's pretty well a hit or miss thing depending on the weather."

Beasley said he likes golf because it is a participatory sport. "Unlike football, basketball or baseball, you participate by playing," he said.

As a golfer, Beasley has been an invited guest at some of the most prestigious clubs and courses in the country, many where professionals play in tournaments. Beasley has watched the pro tournament at Memphis as a guest of a member of the club.

Beasley said golf courses are difficult or easy depending on how they are laid out. The more challenging and difficult courses are harder to play but will make you a better golfer, he explained.

"Bent Creek is a challenging course," he said. "It is designed for all levels of golf enthusiasts. I like the layout, and the sand traps make the course play very differently depending on which tee you play from.

"It can be a very long course depending on the wind, but you will become a better golfer if you play the more difficult courses."

Beasley said some of the courses in Florida and Arizona are laid out like Bent Creek. "The water comes into play on many holes and traps in the fairway, and the greensides make every shot count."

Beasley said he has seen a few golfers become so frustrated with their scores that they have broken a club over their knee or thrown a club into a lake. "I've seen it happen. It's unbelievable," he said. "In that case, frustration has taken over."

Although he's yet to shoot his first hole in one, Beasley has come close. "I've come real close ... several times ... really close ... within a putter's head-length," he said.