Golfing with my Dad has always been my most favorite times in my life, they were those rare moments that I got him all to myself. You see, my Dad worked very hard to make a family business thrive (something that I have always been proud of him for succeeding) during the years I was developing into a man and I think I wanted him to spend more time at home. So when we got to go golfing together those were the most precious moments for me, golf became my sanctuary. It was my Dad who introduced me to the game and it was those precious moments on the course that made me fall head over heels in love with golf and that love has deepened everyday since. To this day the saddest time for me on any golf course is the eighteenth tee, the round is coming to an end, my time in my sanctuary will be over until the next visit. Those visits have been few and far between, my wife gave birth to twins almost two years ago and she is expecting a third in March, throw in a few moves, life has been hectic. But its those times that I do get to play, I get as excited the night before as a kid on Christmas Eve.
Pulling up to the course, putting on your golf shoes, throwing your bag over your shoulder and head to the clubhouse. Check in at the pro shop get a bag of balls and head to the range to warm up. Stand there for a moment and take it all in and size up your imaginary opponents. “I can beat him” I say to myself and then turn to hit an iron stiff for a kick in birdie. Leaving the range, you walk over to the putting green for a few quick rolls to check the speed. They are never like the putting green on the course, unless you’re playing a private club. Next the sweetest sound blares from the old worn out PA saying that you’re next on the number one tee. Introductions are done and that’s were Sanctuary really starts for me,………..looking down that first fairway. You tee up your ball, swing the club and watch your ball sail down the fairway……….Okay, you watch it go someplace other than the fairway, doesn’t matter you are on the course.
I like to walk when I play it makes my time in sanctuary seem longer. When I have to ride I find that I’m at my next shot faster and you miss out on the serenity and energy of the golf course. Walking allows me to study the course get to know her and maybe understand her enough to give me a few breaks here and there. You always need those. But what I also enjoy most about walking is you get to smell the course, freshly mowed grass, the grill at the clubhouse, the changing of the seasons. If you are lucky enough to play by the ocean, waves splashing, the smell of salt water in the air and birds talking to one another.
That to me is my sanctuary, my private time in public. My Dad did that for me and I thank him with all of my heart. I think he knows what playing golf with him means to me and I know what it means to him. He long ago set the motion for what I am meant to do, In November of 2008 I passed my playing test and in June of 2009 I became a PGA Apprentice. I play and teach golf for a living and I am working towards my PGA Tour card. But the biggest thrill that I could ever have would to be able to play a round with my Dad in the sanctuary of sanctuary’s……..Augusta National, the home of the Masters!
I’m getting sleepy, going to bed and dream of golfing with my Dad and Son. Tomorrow is another day of practice and teaching the future of the game. I hope they grow to love the game as much as I do. Maybe one day golf will be my Son’s sanctuary, one can only dream.
