Be forewarned.. my 12th grade English Teacher used to say, her clarion call containing a thinly veiled hint on the content of the next exam, be forewarned that the emphasis on ËœThe Old Man and the Sea` this term was not because I like fishing stories . No doubt helpful and as understated as $2 cologne. All too often we have life-changes catch us off-guard, our destinies hiding behind dips in the road. How I could have used a subtle-as-a-right-cross warning as I ventured into the world of work. Be forewarned dearthis summer job you`re on will never end..be forewarned
Not that this feeble complaint will fall on many sympathetic ears. I have grown accustomed to the rosy impression many people have about my job. Literally every cocktail party or social dinner I have attended in the last decade has had least one soul who appears genuinely jealous of my profession.
Question: Do you get to play golf whenever you want??
Answer: Well as much as I can, you can never say no to a beautiful day!
What I want to say: No, actually playing golf at my club is like trying to watch the hockey game during you`re own wedding ceremony.huge points spent..no return.
Question: Didn`t you ever want to play the PGA Tour?
Answer: Absolutely, but those guys are really good. (stealing their tag line)
What I want to say: Yes, and I was closeI just needed to improve my puttingchipping.long gamemental game.score-keepingpractice habitsfear of open spaces, galleries and failure.
Question: How`s my grip?
Answer: Maybe a little less tension.
What I want to say: I`m not suredouble-overlap-forking-holding is a specialized field.
I love these questions because the eyes of the inquisitor often burn brightly, anxious to hear of the daily pleasures of working at the place they try to sneak out to every sunny day. I have over the years tried not to dim that light opting instead to segue conversations into politics, religion, women`s issues.you know .places where I can get into less trouble.
Now I do understand that everyone`s job has the potential to be a prison or a paradise, however the incredulous looks that I have received from even good friends when I really tell them about my work day are something to behold. To many, we of the golf world are essentially avoiding the purgatory that others face before being released into retirement toplay golf. We are the draft-dodgers of the work-a-day drudgery lifestyle..the fake-lifters when asked to move society`s piano.the only guy without a snow blower in life`s blizzard.
My task, as I see it, is to change this perception while at the same time relating my views on the golf world inside and out. Over the next while, for however long this blog lasts, I will do my best..while I try to stop leaning on the counter.
