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Ann Arbor resident shares his love of footgolf

Jon Aron will compete in the U.S. FootGolf National Championship in Chicago on Oct. 3.
Michigan Footgolf Club
Jon Aron will compete in the U.S. FootGolf National Championship in Chicago on Oct. 3.
Jon Aron will compete in the U.S. FootGolf National Championship in Chicago on Oct. 3.
Credit Michigan Footgolf Club
Jon Aron will compete in the U.S. FootGolf National Championship in Chicago on Oct. 3.

Jon Aron explains how to play footgolf

A combination of soccer and golf, the new sport of footgolf is gaining popularity across the nation.

According to the American FootGolf League, there are more than 250 footgolf courses across the United States, with 25 courses right here in Michigan.

“I’ve been playing soccer my whole life, and I also enjoy golf so it was just a perfect fit,” says Jon Aron, president and founder of the Michigan FootGolf Club.

“Some people are nervous to play golf; if you miss a shot you might bust out someone’s window or something, but in footgolf every one knows how to kick a ball, and if you don’t kick it good you can go ahead and kick it again, and that’s what’s really great.”

Jon Aron tees off.
Jon Aron tees off.

Aron will compete in the inaugural U.S. FootGolfNational Championshipin Chicago on Oct. 3.His goal is to qualify for the FootGolf World Cup in Argentina in 2016. His teammates are Jared Frost and Derek Gossett. 

Georgetown Country Club in Ann Arbor is sponsoringAron and his team. General manager Bill Diamond saysthe new sport is bringing more people to the golf course.

"A lot of children love to run around and kick a soccer ball and not as many enjoy going around trying to hit a golf ball. So in that sense it’s a great family fun activity that the kids can enjoy."

This month, the Michigan Footgolf Club is starting a footgolf league. Aron says he wants to get more people aware of the game.

"I still find myself daily meeting people that have never even heard of footgolf and so just bringing more people to the game, getting more people on the golf courses and hopefully spreading the word of footgolf."

For more information you can find Jon Aron on his Facebook page, or you can visit Georgetown Country Club's website

Copyright 2021 Michigan Radio. To see more, visit Michigan Radio.

Mercedes Mejia produces interviews for All Things Considered, including the music segment Songs from Studio East. She also produces content for Stateside. Mercedes relocated to Michigan from New Mexico, where she earned her BA in Latin American Studies and Journalism. She began in public radio as a reporter atKUNMin Albuquerque. She brings extensive video production skills from her work at Univision and Edit House Production.