By Mark Ambrogi
Katie Kuc and her father, Dave, share a common love of golf.
“He introduced me to the game,” said Katie, who will be a Carmel Middle School eighth grader later in August. “We always play together when we practice, and it’s fun.”
Katie, who turns 13 Aug. 29, will compete in the age 12 division of the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship Aug. 4-6 for the second consecutive year at Pinehurst, N.C. She qualified by winning the Indianapolis-area fall tour. Katie and Dave captured the U.S. Kids Golf World Parent-Child tournament title, a scramble tournament where parent and child alternate tee shots, in July 2015 and competed again in this year’s tournament on Aug 1.
Dave and Katie said they had a blast en route to winning last year.
“We played a great golf course and spent time together,” said Dave, who golfed one season (1988-89) for Purdue University. “We both have a passion for golf, and to be able to play together and compete together is something that I never had the opportunity to do with my daughter. To have that opportunity when we went out, that was awesome.”
Dave said he is blessed they have a shared activity that comes naturally.
“We’re always egging each other on to get out to the golf course and play a round together,” said Dave, who added that his daughter frequently comes close to beating him.
Mother, Kelly, doesn’t share their passion.
“I’m more of the soccer mom,” Kelly said. “My son (Austin, 10) plays travel soccer, so they’re out golfing, and I’m taking him to soccer. I love watching Katie play, but I get nervous. It’s great to see her blossoming.”
Katie, who golfs at Carmel’s Prairie View Golf Club, has been practicing every day the past few weeks.
“I just hope to have fun and shoot my best,” Katie said.
