How It Was Last weekend Bear battled a strong international field, going around even on day 2 to finish 3rd in a big regional tournament in Florida. I was nowhere near the bag, Rob and I did not go. Today I pushed Bear’s cart for 7 holes (until Max caught up with us post Rob’s round)….
We lean back, after a long drive, into the elegantly heavy leather chairs at Nineteen. Linen napkins folded impeccably, a sophisticated lunch crowd engaged in quiet chit-chat and appetizers. Rob is the only child but does not stand out, dressed in golf attire with a Callaway hat pulled down over the Diary of a Wimpy Kid book….
I have five things to say : I’m physically and emotionally exhausted. When I say You are aiming at the sand it means You Are Aiming At The Sand ! I feel bad that Rob thought I might not be enjoying myself because he asked me about 5 times out there if I was. I am extraordinarily touched and…
Day 1 is done. He said he had fun, which was debatable at times. He lost a ball on probably his best 5 iron ever. Not sure how that happened and we had to return to our original position in the rough under a tree to try the shot again. Max said it is up…
The practice round started, attitude-wise, a little shaky but on green #1 we discussed the rationale behind a practice round : play multiple balls; see where obstacles are and how to avoid them; what clubs for Par 3’s etc. We agreed that we would talk through the round keeping these objectives in mind and that…
I’m not a very effective caddy. I can push a bag, engage in small talk when necessary and can color co-ordinate my clothes and my player’s so we make a pretty impressive looking team. If you think I’m being unreasonably judgmental wait. The proof is in the pudding. A friend, and one of the most…
It’s a helluva game. On the first tee. Dad Caddy 1 : Focus. Focus well, because if you don’t focus you’ve got problems. Dad Caddy 2 : Aim at the house. No not that house. Rob slams it up the fairway, straight and true. It’s a good start. We are quietly going along well. Birdie on the first…
Hole 2, Par 3 he hits his 7 iron off the tee with such purity it sails in a beautiful arc straight over the green, over the pine straw and on to the grass beautifying the sidewalk on the other side. “I probably need to re-work my distances, I’m hitting longer these days”. Good plan….
Rob and a friend, E, are playing in a Club scramble tournament. E’s dad is driving them. Rob worked for 1/2 hour with his coach this morning on getting his drive straight, and first shot off the tee he swings it at a 45 degree angle into the woods. The girls who make up the 4 ball…
This course was a true test in course management and Rob passed it with flying colors. So proud of him. While the Daddy Caddies discussed clubs and lengths and lies each and every time in painstaking detail, Rob made all his decisions on his own and they were spot on. This gives me great hope going forward….
Hole 1 we manage a bogey by avoiding the fairway completely and relying on lucky bounces off trees. Hole 2 has a 100 yard valley of shrubbery directly in front of the tee box. If he takes out a 5 iron I’m going to scream! A hole like this is guaranteed to have me…
When Max and I started dating it took me a long time to stop asking needy questions : Are you happy? What are you thinking about? Are we OK? Guys just don’t like it. Rob is his usual serious and quiet self as we sit and wait on the tee box. I AM happy !!! I really…
The player knows he/she has made a bad shot – they do not need you to tell them. The player knows he/she has made a bad shot – they do not need you to say it was good or ok or it will be fine. The player did not make the bad shot on purpose….
Max and Bear are at the Future Masters Tournament in Dothan AL. Rob is at a Club Tournament. He is playing with 2 other boys in his flight, they are older, both their dads are driving the carts. Rob very firmly told me in no uncertain terms that he does not want me there while he plays. No…
When you’re hitting the ball relatively straight and not making too many mess-ups, it’s easier to be a bit happier out on the golf course. If your playing companion ‘loses it’ on hole 1 when he 4 putts and it’s not pretty – it’s a good lesson and you remember: that was uncomfortable, I didn’t…