editor’s letter
This is
the first issue in what
I expect to
be several
months full
of kid stories and junior victories. I’m reminded that not
all victories come with playing
the game, however. Some are
just the lessons learned on the
course.
One thing that I learned
early on in my relationship
with Jake is that golf is unlike any other sport in that it’s
completely okay to cheer for
the other guy. In most other
sports, you may see a handshake or words of respect after the game or in the press
conference. Not golf.
I see players high fiving
opponents for good shots,
cheering on a great round
and then going for a drink afterward. Before I met Jake, I
had never seen anything like
it. And I can relate completely
with that. I love watching the
game better than I like play-
ing it. The individualism of
the sport and the self-policing
makes this game perhaps the
greatest of all.
All sports have penalties,
and players can only hope to
get away with them. Sometimes, players do. In golf, that
is the last thing players want.
They don’t get respect for a
big play that was the result of
half-following rules. They call
for rulings, and they call penalties on themselves.
What better lesson for a
child than to hold himself or
herself to a standard that is
above that which the world
typically celebrates?
As a Saints fan, I have typically held my breath to wait
and see if “we” get called for
a late hit or to find out whether a catch was really a catch.
But I’ve never had a question
watching golf.
There’s a reason we have
Rulespin, and we appreciate the contributions of Paul
Kruger, Mike Raby and other rules officials like them for
reminding us of those rules.
I do think that’s part of the
interest of the game as well
–the mystique involved in the
intense rules of the game.
If ... then ... but ... words
that litter the golf rule book
and words I have also seen
associated with computer lingo and complicated formulas.
That’s golf – a complicated
formula. It’s definitely why
some of us have a hard time
grasping the sport. I’m still
going to try, but it’s hard!
Fortunately for those of us
who still haven’t got it figured
out, we can watch those who
do. And even if we’re playing terrible, we can get some
joy out of others in the group
who are just killing it. I know
that’s the lesson all the PGA
pros will be teaching this summer. What a wonderful gift to
give our children. Go learn
and enjoy the game, but also
make sure you watch and
learn from others. Appreciate
the skills of those around you.
And don’t drive off in the
cart while someone else is putting. It’s just rude.
Amber
7