GOLF

I played my first golf of the year on Wednesday.  Nine holes of very relaxing "Country Club" golf with one of my favorite ladies.  I played from the red tees...it seemed more convenient and a helluva lot less difficult.  It got a little hot but not too bad.  I hit a few good shots and a lot of bad ones.

Daughter Shelley and I arrived at Browns Run about 8:30.  It was her idea - she thinks she needs a hobby and wants to be able to play with her husband.  That sounds like a way to break up a marriage to me.

Almost no one was on the course.  We hit the driving range for a good warm up.  I made one suggestion to change her swing and she ignored it all day. (I wouldn't take suggestions from someone who plays as bad as me, either.)    She wasn't too interested in putting - too hard and not that important.  We had a great time.

After we were done, over a beer in the grill, I mentioned to her in earshot of the barmaid that she should take lessons.  She agreed with some reservations.  Voila!  In a few minutes, the Pro showed up and said, "I hear you want to take lessons."  Gotcha!  She was hooked.  He said they would start next Tuesday "with putting - the most important part of the game."    Who knows what will come of this?

On the way home, I was reminded about some other golf stories.  1.)  Many years ago my wife decided she was going to play golf with the ladies we hung around with - it was her first experience.  They played the executive course at the Jack Nicklaus Golf Center in Mason and walked.  She took my bag which is excessively heavy and carried it.   She also rushed out without her sneakers and had to play in flats. It's still one of her worst memories.  2.) My daughter, Stacey, was playing with some lady friends one morning in Florida.  She hit a high fade onto the roadway adjoining the course and shattered the windshield of  a passing motorist.  He hunted her down and she had to call her husband from work to come defend her.  3.)  Last Fall, at the Lemmel Charity Golf Outing, daughter Amy was playing with a group of ladies while her husband and I played with Andy and Frank.  It may have been her first golf experience (and last).  About half way through the round, we found her sitting in the cart with her feet up sipping a 'pop' - she had enough - maybe forever. 

Golf is such a great game.
:-)