Carlene Henry tended to her flower beds for 35 years while her husband, Sam, worked his way around golf courses in Chattanooga.

She didn't have enough time in the week to be split among golf, gardening and her administrative occupation until her retirement in October 2005.

"I promised him that once I retired I'd start playing," said Carlene, who worked at TVA. "I've got a ways to go."

She can be equally content competing against Sam, or on the practice range at Moccasin Bend, or playing with three of her friends in a version of the game they call "Giggle Golf."

"They're not much better than I am, so we really don't write a score down," Carlene said. "If you hit a bad tee shot, you can hit another one. You laugh and have a good time, and of course there's gimmes. It has nothing to do with numbers.

"Then when you get finished, you can have a drink and talk and giggle."

The Henrys' addiction to the game has taken them to three of the last four U.S. Opens, where they have volunteered to work on scoreboards. The one championship they missed -- this last weekend at Bethpage Black.

They became involved in worked the championships when Sam volunteered at the 2005 U.S. Mid-Amateur at The Honors Course and befriended Mark Passey of the USGA.

"We went to Winged Foot, Oakmont and Torrey Pines," Sam said. "We didn't want to fool with the New York thing this year."

The Henrys plan to return to the U.S. Open next June at Pebble Beach. Carlene also volunteered the couple to work at the U.S. Women's Open next summer at Oakmont Country Club.

"I think she's hooked now," Sam said. "I couldn't be happier."

Every week, Inside Area Golf will profile someone or some people who play the game or have made a contribution to golf. To suggest a person or group, please contact staff writer David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or at (423) 757-6484.