By Robert Marsh, GAM/USGA Boatwright Intern
Rich Rachner was introduced to the game of golf by his father some 65 years ago and he’s been frequenting the fairways ever since.
Rich “Bubba” Rachner isn’t just a man who loves to play golf but someone with deep family connections. He has tried to follow in his father’s footsteps and make golf a family affair.
The GAM Scramble has helped him to do just that!
The GAM Scramble Championship is a “step aside” format that allows 4-person teams with a collective index of 36.0 or higher to compete. There are five GAM Scramble qualifiers that lead to the GAM Scramble State Championship, held this year at The Pohlcat and Bucks Run Golf Course. The event is fun but competitive! For the Rachners, it has become an annual family event.
Rich introduced his wife, Karen, to golf and she quickly embraced the game. When Rachner children Jennifer and Rick came along, Karen had to take a hiatus from the golf course for a few years, but as soon as she was able, she was back out on the links. Of course, Rich and Karen introduced their kids to golf and now the Rachner foursome at the GAM Scramble is a summer ritual.
“It’s about coming out and competing, trying to win and being together as a family,” said Rich. 
“Golf has brought us all closer together as a family because we have been able to share so many fun times together,” said Karen. “I look forward to the day when our grandkids can also join us in future events.”
For the Rachners, it isn’t just about wanting to win; it is about wanting to win with each other. Through the fun times and the tough times, through the 40-foot birdie putts and the tee shot into the trees, the Rachners are out on the course supporting each other and focusing on the positive.
What makes the GAM Scramble event so great is the fact that a family of golfers or foursome of friends can compete on an even level because of the USGA/GHIN Handicap System. You don’t have to be a scratch golfer to compete on a high level.
The GAM Scramble format allows for a variety of skill levels to compete. So, this tournament isn’t just meant for the competitive scratch golfer; it’s meant for every player, of every ability, with any schedule.
Rick Rachner proves that a busy lifestyle doesn’t prohibit you from enjoying a round of competitive golf with the family. Rick learned the game from Karen when he was 10 and the two of them spent a lot of time playing at the old Independence Green executive course then going to Big Boy afterward.
These days, between work and three kids in travel sports, Rick doesn’t have as much time to devote to golfing as he did when he was 10. But the GAM Scramble event is the one thing to which he is committed.
“I made a promise to myself that I whenever I could, I would make time to play in two-person or four-person events like the GAM Scramble with my family,” said Rick. “I plan to continue to play in the Scramble and would like to play in some of the GAM’s individual competitions when I have a little more free time.”
There is still plenty of time to put together a foursome and register for the GAM Scramble. Upcoming qualifying events are:
Wabeek Country Club7/30/2019
Treetops Resort (Jones Masterpiece)8/5/2018
Muskegon Country Club 8/20/2018
Teams cannot have more than two players with a GAM/USGA Handicap Index lower than 10.0. Registration is $300 per team for Regional Qualifiers and $420 per team for the State Championship.
Click here for more information https://gam.org/?Scramble or contact Eric Nelson at enelson@gam.org.
