It’s a definite cliché for a doctor to play golf, but Robert Nordland, MD, says his game can be distinguished by skills—specifically—the lack thereof. “I’m a terrible golfer,” he says with a laugh. “If I was serious about it, I would have quit years ago.”

Dr. Nordland never played until he was introduced to the sport in a college physical education class. His wife, Candy, on the other hand, comes from a family of golf enthusiasts, but prefers to ride along or share in the after golf social activities with friends.” All four of their children, David, Mark, Brooke and Blake, took golf lessons while growing up, but Mark is the one who enjoys it the most. Both father and son belong to Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska and play together on occasion. Dr. Nordland says, “It’s a good way for us to spend time together.”

Dr. Nordland also has been medical director for many golf tournaments at Hazeltine in the past 25 years. He recalls during one event, an employee was involved in a propane explosion, while at another, a senior golfer had a heart attack. And during the U.S. Open Championship in 1991, one person died when six were struck by lightning, making national news. “We’ve certainly had our share of medical challenges on the golf course,” he says.

The only competition in which Dr. Nordland participates as a golfer is the annual Ridgeview Golf Extravaganza. “Western OB/GYN sponsors a hole and sends a team every year,” he says. Nearly every year that Dr. Nordland has played has been a year they finish last. “It’s rare for me to win,” he says. “But I always have fun.”

Dr. Nordland and his wife live just outside Victoria and actually spend much more time playing with their eight grandchildren than they do playing golf. “I’m much better with the kids,” Dr. Nordland says.

Lisa Baumann
HEALTHVIEWS STAFF WRITER