Four generations of Nigros tee it up in Peachtree City

By Janet McGregor
jmac_snippets@hotmail.com

It seems to be in the genes of the Nigro family.

It struck Carmine, 90, when he was in his forties and his son Bill when he was in his early teens. Bill's son Todd caught the bug when he was seven or eight and Todd's son Tyler, 22 months (yes, months), was only 5 or 6 months old when it grabbed him.

What is “it?” It is the game of golf.

Young Tyler had to wait until he could walk to swing his first golf club, but as soon as he was able to do more than watch, he was swinging a plastic golf club. About four months ago, he graduated to a special “real” golf club with a shortened shaft that is just his size.

Todd said Tyler started watching golf when he was 4 or 5 months old. Todd would take him to the course in a stroller to watch while he played.

“He would laugh hysterically when I hit the ball,” said Todd. “It distracted everyone.”

Watching golf on television is another of Tyler's favorites.

Tyler not only enjoys golf, but he knows the game, too. When asked, “Who's the best golfer?” he quickly replies, “Tiger Woods.”

However, during his recent trip to visit his grandparents, Bill and Martha Nigro, in Peachtree City, Tyler amended his answer and now says “Grandpa.” Grandpa sent Tyler home with a brand new putter, which he insisted on carrying onto the airplane all alone. The youngster was the center of attention throughout his walk to the concourse.

Tyler concentrates when he plays. He rarely makes a bad swing and he can knock a ball a pretty good distance across the green in the direction he wants the ball to travel. The only difficulty he seems to have is when it is time to stop playing.

All of the golfers in the Nigro family receive high marks for their golfing abilities.

Tyler's great-grandfather, Carmine Nigro, didn't discover golf until he was in his mid-forties. After playing and mastering the game, he was asked by Sam Snead's brother, Homer, to teach at his Miami driving range. Nigro worked at the range for six or seven years before retiring to West Palm Beach. Last year Carmine and wife Francis moved to Peachtree City.

Carmine watches and encourages Tyler on his visits, giving him tips to improve his swing when Tyler is willing to stop playing a second and listen.

Bill is considered “the one to beat” by his golfing buddies in Peachtree City. He has enjoyed the game since his early teens when he played on a junior country club team for a number of years.

Todd, Nigro's oldest son, waited until the ripe old age of seven to take up golf. He finally managed to beat his father during their last visit. Bill said with a quick smile, “He had to wait until I was old and decrepit to beat me.”

Todd and his wife, Kristen, have a two-month old, Jake. Speculation is that his first word will be “golf.”

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