How It All Started..

Introduction

Hi! My name is Sean Bozzi, and I’m the Founder of Queen City Golf and Chief Editor of The Queen City Golf Club blog! If you’re new here, let me introduce myself with a bit of my story.

I grew up in Northern New Jersey with a wonderful family and close-knit group of friends. But like many kids, my childhood wasn’t without challenges. I was active and loved sports—I was always outside. (Seriously, I don’t know how kids these days sit indoors playing video games for hours. I know, I sound old…)

How We Got Here

Middle school, though, was a turning point—and not in the best way. I was a late bloomer, both physically and socially. That made me a target for bullying. Kids teased me for my speech impediment (I couldn’t say my R’s—“Gatorwade,” anyone?) and for being chubby. The bullying intensified when I made the varsity baseball team as a sixth grader and had to spend most of my time around older kids.

High school was even tougher. The name-calling, harassment, and even physical assaults escalated. I didn’t hit my growth spurt until the summer before my junior year—when I shot up from 5’2” to 5’9”. Even then, the bullying didn’t fully stop. It followed me all the way through college.

Post-college, I fell into a door-to-door sales job. My dad had worked in sales his whole life, so it seemed like a natural path. But while the bullying had stopped, the emotional scars hadn’t healed. My self-confidence was shattered, and anxiety dominated my daily life.

Through all those years, I kept everything inside. I didn’t talk about the bullying, my anxiety, or my feelings. Like many men, I felt pressure to “tough it out” and not show weakness. Looking back, I wish I’d spoken up. Why didn’t I ask for help? Why didn’t I do something?

The truth is, I didn’t know how. Anxiety and self-doubt had been with me for so long, they felt like permanent parts of who I was. Over time, they snowballed into depression.

In my twenties, I turned to alcohol and marijuana to suppress my emotions and cope in social situations. I felt like I needed them to function. But during this same time, something else came back into my life: golf.

Rediscovering My Safe Haven

Baseball was my first love. I started golfing at 4 or 5 thanks to my grandfather, but baseball dominated my youth. It gave me confidence and a sense of control—especially when I became a pitcher in high school. Pitching is an art form, and it gave me a mental escape.

After college, I returned to caddying and started playing golf more seriously. By 2017, I established a USGA handicap (starting at a 33+). Golf became my new refuge, just as baseball had been in my younger years.

Approach shot into #12 @ Tot Hill Farm Golf Club in Asheboro, North Carolina

The Turning Point

Fast forward to 2021. My girlfriend (now wife) and I had recently moved to Charlotte, NC. The pandemic was in full swing, and my drinking habits had spiraled out of control. Summer of 2021, I hit rock bottom. My drinking was straining my relationship, and I knew I had to make a change.

For the first time in my life, I admitted out loud that I had a problem. I sought help.

My wife—my soulmate—played a huge role in my recovery. She supported me every step of the way, encouraging me to prioritize my mental health. I found a therapist, started medication for anxiety, and went sober. Therapy was life-changing. For the first time, I could openly talk about my emotions without fear of judgment.

Although I stopped drinking for nearly a year, I eventually slipped. But that slip was another lesson in self-awareness and resilience.

The Birth of Queen City Golf

As I worked on myself, I rediscovered a part of me I’d lost: my creativity. Growing up, I loved art and dreamed of being an architect. In 2021, I created my Instagram account, @queencity_golfer, to share golf videos. It was a small creative outlet, but it sparked something bigger.

One day, it hit me: I wanted to use my platform to help others. I wanted to show people—especially men—that it’s okay to speak up, to ask for help, and to prioritize mental health. That’s when Queen City Golf was born.

Our mission is simple: to break the stigma around mental health, one swing at a time.

Over the past two years, creating content for Queen City Golf has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve connected with incredible people, shared my story, and heard so many others. Now, I’m taking things to the next level with this blog.

Welcome to The Queen City Golf Club

Running a sports blog has always been a dream of mine, and I’m thrilled to finally bring it to life. Here, you’ll find a mix of content:

               •             Mental health tips and personal stories

               •             Golf tips for players of all levels

               •             Local course reviews and recommendations

This section—Letters from the Editor—will be my space to share personal updates, mental health check-ins, and behind-the-scenes insights.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If you connect with my mission, I’d love for you to subscribe and join the community. Together, we can change the conversation around mental health and enjoy this beautiful game we all love.

Cheers,

Sean

Why Join Queen City Golf Now?

There’s never been a better time to get involved with the game—and with us. At Queen City Golf, we’re committed to fostering a community that thrives on the therapeutic and social benefits of the sport.

As a Member, You’ll Enjoy:

• Access to Local Events: Exclusive outings at the best courses around Charlotte.

• Mental Health Advocacy: A supportive space that uses golf as a tool to break the stigma around mental health.

• Exclusive Content: Insights, tips, and behind the scenes content tailored for our members.

• Community Support: Connect with like-minded individuals who share your love for the game and its mental health benefits.

How to Get Started

Golf is changing, and you can be part of that change. Subscribe to Queen City Golf Club today and join a community that values innovation, inclusivity, and well-being. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just getting started, there’s a place for you here.

Together, we can make golf more than just a game—it’s a movement.