Generations on the Green

On a warm morning in early June, three generations walked the fairways at The Cliffs at Keowee Vineyards. The sun was already climbing, casting long shadows across the bunkers. Cameron Amen—thirteen years old and quietly focused—stepped into the sand with the confidence of someone who’s done it a thousand times.

He took a couple of practice swings, then knocked a shot that tracked true, took one soft hop, and dropped straight into the hole. His dad, Matt, grinned. His grandfather, Jim, beamed. It’s a moment most golfers dream about, but for the Amen family, it was just another memory made in a life increasingly shaped by the game. 

Originally from Orange County, California, the Amens found their way to The Cliffs at Keowee Springs during the pandemic in 2020. Matt and his wife, Charly, came first, drawn by the promise of a supportive golf culture and the kind of environment where their kids, Cameron and Mia, could grow into their talents. A year later, Jim and his wife, Sherrie, followed, unwilling to watch their grandchildren grow up from afar. “I’ve worked my whole life,” Jim says. “I wanted to watch my grandkids play sports. That’s why we moved.”

Now, the family lives a short drive away from one another, sharing life in a way that feels rare and deliberate. Golf brought them here, but family is why they stayed.

Cameron, who’s been homeschooled since 2020, structures his days around the game. Mornings often begin with a workout or a few hours of schoolwork, followed by hours of focused practice, either on the course or at the state-of-the-art golf learning center at Keowee Springs. The world-class facilities at The Cliffs, combined with the inspiring natural surroundings, provide the perfect backdrop for the Amen family’s commitment to excellence in golf and beyond. With access to top-tier training equipment and a community that fosters both athletic and personal growth, they can pursue their passions in an environment designed for success. As a seventh grader, Cameron is already playing a national tournament schedule and competed this year on the Seneca High School team. He made All-League and helped the team qualify for the state championship for the first time in twenty years.

His sister, Mia, is eleven and is a tennis standout in her own right. Their days often run in parallel: separate coaches, separate training schedules, but the same level of commitment and the same passion for improving. Matt recently bought six acres near their home to build a private clay court and a future indoor tennis facility for Mia. “We’re a family of athletes,” Matt says simply. 

But more than that, they’re a family that believes in putting in the work.

“We come from a culture of knowing that if you put the work in, you will be good,” Matt says. “It’s not about raw talent—it’s about daily commitment. I always told myself: If I take my kids to work every day, they’ll be among the best.”

That mindset started with Jim, who poured time and resources into Matt’s development as a young golfer in Southern California. Matt went on to play Division I golf at the University of Oregon, and when he saw the same spark in Cameron, he knew what was required.

“He was hitting balls at two years old,” Matt says. “By seven, we knew this was it. We started practicing every day. Traveling for tournaments. Going all in.”

Now, Cameron’s coach, Wes Nichols, lives with the family several weeks a month, while Wes’s wife, a sports psychologist, helps Cameron with the mental side of the game. Together, they’ve created a training ecosystem that rivals that of professional athletes. “It’s not just about how well you hit the ball,” Cameron explains. “Golf is 95 percent mental. If you don’t have that, it doesn’t matter how good your swing is.”

Clearly, Cameron absorbed that wisdom. He speaks with calm precision and has the kind of emotional composure more often found in players twice his age. Still, he’s quick to smile. Quick to cheer for his sister. Quick to admire a picturesque course—”It’s just beautiful here every day,” he says.

For Matt and Jim, watching Cameron’s rise has stirred a deep sense of purpose. Golf is no longer just a passion; it’s a legacy. Matt recalls playing with his grandparents as a boy, learning the etiquette of the game. Now, he gets to repeat that ritual—with his father and his son by his side.

“It’s a team effort,” Matt says. “I told my parents: I need you here. This isn’t about leaving you behind. It’s about doing this together. We have a special opportunity with these kids, and it really does take a village.”

For Jim, that invitation changed everything. “When Matt left, it broke my heart,” he says. “But now, we wake up and look at the lake. My wife loves seeing the seasons change. I play golf with my grandkids.”

Three generations, one game, a shared life. At The Cliffs, the Amen family isn’t just playing the game—they’re building something bigger. Shot by shot, round by round, they’re shaping a legacy, one fairway at a time.