A late, Indian Summer day, might be the best time to play golf
Golf is constantly providing additional reasons to love the game. Whether it’s connecting with a ball flush off the tee for a booming drive, hitting a laser-like approach shot, or sinking a 30 foot putt. Taking off work early on a Friday afternoon of a late fall Indian Summer day with a hint of coolness in the air, but the sun providing enough warmth for one last day for a short sleeved polo.
Hoping to get in a quick round with only 3 hours till dark, I head out to my local course, but upon arriving found the parking lot filled with the cars of other like-minded linksters. Undaunted, I check into the golf shop, pay the greens fee, grab a cart, and head to the first tee. From my vantage point it looked as if the first few holes were wide open, ahh, I’ll said around here in 2 hours! Wrong! After the third hole, I’m at a log jam with senior husband and wife hacking their way down the fairway, and two foursomes of slow walkers out ahead. I may just get in nine, but it’s a beautiful day, I’ll enjoy my beer, the sunshine, and of where I am. A golf cart pulled up behind me on the 3rd, it was George from New Jersey, we struck up an immediate conversation about the day, getting in a quick round, and how we might not get in a full round. I invited George to join me, and we’re off, albeit at a slower pace which helped with the wait. Jerry from Baltimore pulls up to us at the 6th hole, same drill, and Jerry joins in. We were barely waiting now, and there’s hope we’ll get in a full round, when at the 8th tee, Chuck from Chicago joins us. At the turn, it’s beers all-around for the four new-found friends, and to our pleasure we found that the two foursomes ahead were only playing nine!
Nice shot George, great putt Chuck, beautiful sand save Jerry, big drive Jay, we were all friends now. George had a a couple of sons, but the one with Homeland Security, based in Africa, was of most interest. Jerry and his wife were never blessed with children, but oh the dogs they’ve had. The current two, they tested the DNA, and found one was a Doberman/Collie mix, the other, there was no telling. Chuck has lost his job four years ago as a big shot sales manager for a tech firm, and at 58 hasn’t been able to secure anything stable, fortunately his wife’s work as a school teacher saved the day with here salary and benefits.
On the 18th, we removed our caps, shook hands, and to a man commented on how much we all enjoyed the experience golf provided today. Four quick friends for a moment in time all united by the game we love, and a day made for the experience we’ll all tell our wives or dogs over evening cocktails.
Cheers!
