Do you consider professional golfers "athletes"?

Yes. Although I agree that golf is boring as all get out, it does take a lot of skill. My dad is obsessed with golf and got my son kiddy clubs the minute he could walk. He has rubbed off on my 3.5 y/o son who also loves golf and will watch it and spend an hour or so in the yard "golfing" with his little clubs. My son has a very short attention span like me, so the focus he has on golf is pretty amazing all things considered! But, I am gonna need A LOT of caffeine if I have to go golfing with him in the future.