I play golf because I like it, certainly not because I’m good at it.
In early adulthood, I was known as a tennis player who played golf when forced to. I’ve never been “great,” at golf but do have plaques from both the City and Country Club Championships.
No holes in one, but I did make a 2 on a par 5 about 20 years ago, but today it takes me 4 good shots just to get on that green!
Golf today is a struggle with a cranky back, bum foot, only one eye, and well you get the picture. But, golf can still be fun. I shoot my age every time I play hitting 73 after 12 or 13 holes.
Since March golf has been therapy for my state of mind. Without golf several times a week, I’d be nuts. We have a group of 9 guys that participate in our daily games. Unique is the only way to describe us.
Our ringleader is retired pharmacist Don Hill who never arrives early and has lots of responsibilities even when he’s on the golf course as he’s never far from his cell phone.
Our only golfer of note is Dr. Wes Jones who can still play. He’s a shrink and former paratrooper in Viet Nam who never lacks for a joke or opinion many coming on-line.
Dr. Ken Wright doesn’t play as often as some but still has some game. Fortunately, he’s not as competitive at golf as he was reported to be on the hardwoods.
Retired Veterinarian Dr. Duane Henrikson is our most improved golfer. He’s also our registered Democrat, so he has some political responsibilities at times.
We don’t lack for doctors with Dr. Jim Geitz next in line. He is fun because he seldom loses his temper, but occasionally will shout “well shoot!” Jim’s game is better than he knows.
Bill Barns and Mike Hudson are engineers by training and are pretty annul in their approaches even to golf. One is fast, the other not so much, but good to have with us.
Dr. John Patton has joined us of late. He was one of the best athletes ever at Roosevelt High School and a former competitor with me on the tennis courts. He’s still a horse!
Last is the Dean of ESU’s Business School, Ed Beshaw who plays on weekends. He’s a little young for our group but adds a personality we need.
As the final member of the group and I play golf for three reasons: exercise, socialization, and a distant third, competition.
Several years ago it became obvious my competitive days in golf were behind me! If I keep score, it’s by numbers – 1 for a bogie, 2 for a par, 4 for a birdie, etc. I come home from an 18 round and tell Bobbi I scored a 12 or 13 and she asks? “ Is that good?” And I say “ It was today!”
You see, my golf game is kind of like the Marines who are “Looking for a few good men,” when I play golf “I’m Looking for a few good shots!”
I’m thankful I can still play a little and I have such a great group of friends who tolerate me.
I’m Steve Sauder
