Cheryl RoyerCheryl Royer
Signal Mountain
Retired
Cheryl Royer resisted the temptation to learn the game of golf while her kids were young.
She buckled as they grew, theorizing that golf would be valuable when the kids moved on to college and she retired with her husband at the time.
"At 35, I took all the lessons -- group and private -- and got into a nine-hole league after work," Royer recalled of her introduction to the game in the greater Chicago area. "Then, after many years, we divorced."
Royer kept playing. So did her son, who graduated from Kansas University, earned a master's degree and became a teaching professional in Kansas. His interest, love and dedication to the game helped keep Royer involved instead of shoving her clubs in a closet.
"I'm grateful I took it up, because when I travel, I can play wherever and with whomever," said Royer, who chose Signal Mountain as a retirement location over a spot in Florida. "I love it. When I go see my children who are in Texas and Kansas, I go out and play golf."
Royer is also one of six golfing friends who make an annual trip to Fairfield Glade to play several rounds at a couple of courses. Two years ago, that group decided to take a different trip, to the Annika Academy.
"Just being with your good friends make a trip like that so special," Royer said. "We had a great time."
Contact David Uchiyama at duchiyama@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6484. Follow him at twitter.com/UchiyamaCTFP.