We all carry comments and preceptions about ourselves inside
our heads. My “voices” say to me things
like: “You are a good cook.” “You have pretty eyes.” “You are not artistic.” “You talk too much.” Another thing they say is, “You are not
athletic.” I never played sports in high
school. In PE, when I HAD to
participate in baseball, I played right field and spent the entire game watching for rattlesnakes. I was on the drill team rather than the
basketball team.
So when friends
discovered that our new community had a 9 hole golf course, they all asked, “Are
you and Jay going to play golf?” Playing golf was not part of our plan, but after walking to the
golf course a few evenings, seeing the beautiful greens, looking out at the
ocean, feeling the breeze, hearing the birds, we looked at each other and said, “Maybe?”
Determined not to spend money on something we
may not take seriously, we set out to find some used equipment. Jay found a complete set of clubs and a bag
at a rummage sale for…$5.00. I asked
around and had a nice neighbor offer me her old clubs for free and I bought a
golf bag at the GoodWill store for $8.09…with my senior discount.
After practicing putting with Gabe
and playing the
first hole over and over again and then venturing to the first 4 holes,
we decided to join the Golf Club and just get
to know some of the people.
Imagine my surprise when a neighbor, Maybrit, called me a
few days later to invite me to play in her foursome in the Womens/Guest Annual
Tournament. Though I professed my
non-Nancy Lopez status, she insisted I could do it. It was a scramble which meant that you always
played the best ball hit and there was no pressure…I could just have fun and
meet some new friends. I said “yes!”
Those who know me, know I am not a costume person so I
graciously accepted the costume I was expected to wear for my “team” and was a “Wonder
Woman” she picked me up at 8:30 am.
It was foggy but that didn't stop the women.
After coffee and donuts, Suzy gave us the rules and we were off.
Half way through there was a little refreshment stop...Bloody Marys...provided by the course angels.
Bottom line, she was right.
I had a wonderful time. My team
of Maybrit, Linda and Ann made me feel very welcomed and they encouraged my
attempts.
I even feel like I contributed
to our second place win for Low Gross because they used one of my tee shots,
one of my chip shots…and…drum roll please…I putted for a birdie!!
I will never be Nancy Lopez, but I am glad I did this
because now I know that I can at least hold my own on the course and will enjoy
going out with Jay when we decide to venture beyond the first 4 holes! Who knows, I might even develop a new voice in my head... As long as I am breathing, I can continue to change and grow!
