Cartter ProbascoCartter Probasco
Chattanooga
Richmond graduate
Cartter Probasco has the bloodlines to be an excellent golfer.
His grandmother, Betty Probasco, was part of the inaugural class inducted into the Tennessee Golf Hall of Fame.
But he doesn't take the game as seriously as his grandmother. The 22-year-old plays for the social aspect of getting together with a couple buddies and beating the ball around a public course like Moccasin Bend, as he did Tuesday.
"I was never as good as anybody in my family," he said. "I don't worry about my handicap. I'll be lucky to get out of triple digits today."
He does love the game. It's a challenge for him - as it is for everybody - especially considering he barely broke out his clubs while studying at the University of Richmond. Golf is a summer game to him.
"It's a good way to hang out with buddies that you don't see for most of the year," Probasco said. "We have a good time on the course - laugh at each other and share some stories."
But when he's home, he loves to play - and play again. Probasco said he'll start his first job in the real world Monday. The summer is a season for mass consumption of golf and friendships, especially at a spot like Moccasin Bend where everybody can gather for a good time.
"You know, I think that if I played a lot I could be pretty good," he said. "But I don't."
The game sparks his competitive spirit and gets a little competition going between friends at times, but Probasco's primary enjoyment comes from the escape to scenery and maybe a little tomfoolery.
"The cool thing is that Grandma never pressured me to play golf," Probasco said. "We talk about different things besides golf."
Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.