Quiet time away from the family

Lolita Harper

Golf is a gentlemen’s sport. A quiet sport of concentration in which

announcers whisper and audiences hold their applause until the

appropriate times. It is played on a serene setting, with luscious

green grass, rolling hills and beautiful trees.

Ahhh.

Contrast that to the hotel room of Toshiba Senior Classic golfer

Tom Purtzer when he travels with his wife, their 7-year-old daughter,

4-year-old twins and 6-month-old twins. You read that correctly: two

sets of twins, for a total of five children under the age of 8.

“Having that many kids in one hotel room would be like having a

birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese all the time,” Purtzer, 51, said.

Although it is hectic, the Green Valley, Ariz. resident said he

will miss the constant roar of his loving children. Tom and Lori

Purtzer are the proud parents of Liza Jayne, Jay and Jennifer, almost

5, and Robin and Julie, 6 months.

“I have got a lot of free time on my hands,” Purtzer said. “It’s a

lot of hard work, especially for my wife, but as soon as they are

gone, I miss them.”

The whole gang traveled with him last week for an L.A. tournament,

but went home this week to host a visiting relative. Purtzer usually

brings his children on the California leg of the tour because of the

favorable weather and the fun tourist spots.

Although they would miss the Newport coast, his children hit the

Santa Monica Pier and Disneyland last week, he said. Considering his

children’s affinity for water, it may have been better not to tempt

them with Orange County’s Pacific.

“They were all dressed out at Santa Monica and they asked if they

could put their feet in the water,” he said. “Then all of a sudden,

it was, ‘Oh, I tripped,’ and before you knew it, they were in the

ocean fully clothed.”

Purtzer, who is among the top 70 money makers on the tour, said

his job may not be the most conducive to family life, but it comes

with the turf -- or grass. His time away is most noticeable because

the babies are in the fastest growth stage of their lives, he said.

In a matter of weeks, they change dramatically in their size, skill

level and comprehension.

“It’s been kind of rough being gone from them for so long, but

it’s part of my job,” he said. “For the most part, everyone

understands. ... I travel a lot, but when I am home, I get to spend

long undivided hours with them.”