editor’s letter
The spring
semester has
welcomed
golf season at
Southeastern,
and I cannot
express how excited I am to watch
the Fightin’ Lions play! I traveled
to San Antonio in February, and
as Backspin is going to full publication, I will be on my way to Lafayette to see the guys play at the
Louisiana Classic.
The team is pumped up for the
season, of course, and their enthusiasm is contagious. I love watching golf way more than playing,
probably because I pretty much
stink right now, and those guys can
put on a show. At one point in the
tournament, one of the Lions was
in the lead. While he didn’t finish
off that way, he certainly created
some energy around him.
Our son Shayne, a golf enthusiast himself, took the ride to San
Antonio as well. We split up on the
course to make sure we watched
everyone at some point or another,
and that is a workout. The iPhone
reported over 15,000 steps each
day, and those of you who like
tracking stuff like that know that
isn’t too shabby.
I’ve followed Jake around
during his tournaments, but I typically never leave his side. I also have
caught a couple of notables here
and there while jumping around
from hole-to-hole. But I have never
tried to follow the full round while
watching five different players on
five different holes. If you are looking to get in shape, this is the way
to do it. I was just about dead when
we got home from the event. And I
drove. So ... there was that too.
College golfers are some really
cool people. Our friends and family
keep asking how Jake likes the new
job. After his first six months with
these guys, I can say with certainty
that he loves working with them.
He loves the energy those who are
college age have. I could have told
you that as I’ve been teaching them
for 10 years now.
He also loves their whit and
creativity. Believe it or not, most of
those digital native folks use their
energy for good. They are hysterical and remind boring adults like
us not to take life too seriously ...
and then comes their golf games.
We know that every single college athlete goes to bed at night
dreaming of the next big step. And
Jake’s team is no different. They
work their tails off on their games,
and they don’t forget their studies
either.
I think these young men, as
well as our own college age kiddos,
have reminded Jake and me of the
importance of balancing work and
play. Jake and I, like many of our
friends and readers, have spent the
last two decades chasing our children. As we are a blended family,
there were lots of pick-ups, drop
offs and even re-pick-ups. We put
hundreds of thousands of miles on
our vehicles, literally. And now, our
kids come to see us. It has been a
wonderful change for us. And we
are actually starting to think very
selfishly about our time.
I realize that not all of our readers are where we are yet and some
may be further along.. All I know
is this wasn’t an easy transition.
There were lots of tears letting go
of our little ones, but I wouldn’t
change where we all are now for
anything. They are fun, and we’re
having fun too.
So for this self-help version
of the letter from the editor this
month, have some fun. It’s good
for the soul! Look at the kids in the
Gamon Manne’s lessonspin this
month, check out the opportunities the Manchac Greenway offers
and check out all the upcoming
tournaments. We’ll be once again
featuring the Zurich Classic in our
April issue, and you can start making plans for that now.
In the meantime, I’m going to
go follow the boys around the golf
course and feel the burn!
Amber
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