7 footgolfers to compete in South Baldwin’s first pro tourney

7 footgolfers to compete in South Baldwin’s first pro tourney
Feb. 18 Kickin’ 4 Birdies at Glenlakes Golf Club has a national draw

By Fran Thompson
Tourney director Bryan Fulling (pictured) does not need social media updates to document the fact that his chosen sport is growing exponentially. He only has to list the states represented among the 37 professional players who have signed up to play in his inaugural Gulf Coast FootGolf Kickin’ For Birdies Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 18 at GlenLakes Golf Club in Foley. (More info: 251-597-3226).
The tourney will also include men’s, women’s and amateur divisions, with the 36 hole pro division kicking off at 9 a.m. The amateur divisions start two hours later.
“The sport is still in its infancy, but even I didn’t realize how fast it was growing until I went to Nationals in Orlando and 16 different countries showed up,’’ said Fulling, who played soccer and football at Daphne High. “It’s great for me and others who still have an athletic mentality and still want to be physically involved in sport.’’
The draw at Glen Lakes will include 2015 national footgolf champion Jordan Godfrey from California and his fellow Californian, Vinney Matteoli.
Pro players representing New Jersey, Miami, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana will also compete for the title on GlenLakes’ par 64 course that Fulling describes as long and challenging.
Fulling has only been playing footgolf competitively since April, but the natural athlete has already won a tourney in New Orleans and placed 2nd in the recent Southern Regionals.
“A majority of the pros are soccer players,’’ he said. “Maybe they are getting a little older and can’t run for the full 90 minutes. But this they can do. It’s also a good sport for golfers, but it’s not out of anybody’s range. My girlfriend and I will go play with a group of 15 friends, including some who have never kicked a ball. It’s not out of anybody’s range. Golf takes more technical ability. This is way easier for someone to transition into.’’
The tourney draw party will be held on Friday night at The Cove in Gulf Shores. The post tourney party will be held Saturday evening in Orange Beach at The Flying Harpoon II, where Fulling works as a bartender.
The number of footgolf courses in America has grown from 20 in to more than 500 in the past six years, including a second Baldwin County course at Lakewood in Point Clear. The USA team won the sport’s first World Cup competition in Argentina last year.
“Golf courses can add revenue, and people who don’t necessarily have the skill or the equipment for golf can play footgolf for half the price. It’s hitting a younger demographic,’’ Fulling said.
The fraternity that he sees building among the sport’s competitive players is also refreshing, according to Fulling. “The players coming into the sport are from all over, and the guys coming up are building a community’’ he said.
“It’s a nice thing. When you go to a major tourney it’s almost like a footgolf family. That’s what people are calling it. We’re all competitive by nature. But then you see someone like Jordan (Godfrey). He’s just a young kid, maybe 24 years old and a national champion, but he is willing to advise others more new to the sport. I give him credit for that. It’s rare to find in sports and a nice change.’’