Golf is the best sport I ever took up. Growing up in New Jersey I was surrounded by all kinds of people who played including my Grandfather. His name was John Fitzgerald. He seemed to crawl out of the house at ungodly hours to go play with his pals. Curious about his trips, I asked him to play with me and he always said no. Assuming it was because I was a girl when I finally pressed him on it, he said “not at all”.
The reason my Grandfather wouldn’t play with me? He knew I didn’t understand the game. He told me he’d play with me when I could hit the ball and could score. As a teenager I tried a few times but failed miserably. I just didn’t have the patience and thought it was boring.
Years later. No clubs, no interest and no patience, I found myself drawn to the game when I moved to California. I lived around the corner from Morro Bay Golf Club. It bugged me that all these guys I hung out with played and I didn’t. It seemed like every time I ran into one of my friends they had great stories and new connections. Tired of being left out of the conversation I went to the club. I met a Pro who immediately took me to the driving range.
Lots of lessons later and some new clubs, I had a game. Well sort of… I fell in love with golf and suddenly started making not only tighter friendships but new business connections. I’m still having a torrid affair with a game that I’ve played on courses fit for Kings and some suited for goats. For most of my life most of my foursomes have been made up of men. Lately, I’ve met more women who play and say it’s a game changer for their business. The bonus is they love it too.
Luckily I learned in plenty of time to play with my grandfather. One year when I was covering Spring Training in Tampa, Florida I had the chance to play with him. He was beaming from ear to ear when I smashed the ball off the first tee box. What a day. He beat me by a stroke.
