Yesterday it was 12 C, the wind was blowing and it was raining. I decided to go to the Golf Club to drop off my new clubs, load my locker with clothes and money for losing bets. Make everything pretty for the upcoming season.
When I arrived I was astounded to see that there were no parking spots available. First time I have ever seen this in 35 years.
I looked at the warm-up area and they were lined two deep waiting for a spot to hit balls. I went in to the pro shop and discovered that the course was fully booked!
Meanwhile there was a steady stream of people heading over to the 9-hole Dixie course and a mob practicing putting.
My first thought was “does all that cement in their heads make their neck muscles sore?”
I am obviously entering the final days of my life because I couldn’t have golfed yesterday if Jack Nicklaus had asked me to play a few holes with him.
I was miserable having lunch because it was so cold in the dining room.
And adding even more mystery to the scene…many players had just returned from playing golf all winter in Florida. I don’t get it. Do golfers lose their minds over the winter?
I am almost sorry the winter is over because I’m going to be on a constant guilt trip for the next 5 months for not playing golf every day the sun comes out.
Thank goodness it is pouring rain today so it isn’t even possible to drive out to the club and I can sit in front of the fire, semi-conscious for the entire day and night, binge watching Netflix.
At any rate, I’m all-good to go for this new season . I have new everything and more golf clothes and accessories than any sane person would have in their inventory. All I need is to find some desire to get going.
It seems like such a hassle. Driving all the way out there. Getting covered in greasy sunblock, whacking balls to “warm up” and then stumbling around for 4 hours with the bugs etc and don’t get me talking about practicing.
Who wants to do that? My sessions last 10-12 minutes and then I’m bored. Not a good reward for all the start-up and shut down required going out there.
As I'm running out the clock I wonder how this all ends. Last Night we went to the Annual meeting and dinner.
I have been a member for 35 years. Out of our current roster of 1600 members, I now can say for sure that I know 35 of them!
Although "know" is a strong word. I can recall first names for at least one member of most of the couples and I nod at many others while moving quickly through the crowd without stopping to have a conversation. Eventually, I am going to suggest we wear name tags.
I know this sounds quite negative and so you wonder why I don’t just quit and be done with it?
I can’t give it up …it’s my best sport and I can't find anything else to fill a whole day with mindless effort.
At any rate I am sure the desire will ignite any minute now and I will be all excited to play. At least for the first 5 or 6 holes.
I will follow up with you when the anti-depressants kick in.
Regards.
Bill Meder
