Life Preservers

Golf, Friendship, Life

August 4, 2013 at 6:03 pm Leave a comment

It’s official. My favorite day of the year is a Friday in August, the one day of the year that I golf.

Those of you who know me are shaking your heads in disbelief because you know, when it comes to golf, I don’t know my ass from a hole in the ground that is a gazillion yards away and to the right or maybe the left, who the heck knows?

But, this past Friday I was golfing in memory of the inimitable Damon Garde, If you knew him, you’re a lucky soul. (If you didn’t, just believe me when I tell you that, even if you are a hopeless mess on the golf course, you would show up to golf in his honor.)

So, today, some thoughts on golf, friendship, and life:

• We cannot get where we’re going in this world alone. Especially during a golf scramble when your tee shot barely makes it out of the box on a par 5.
• The “cool people” are not those who go to trendy places, wear branded clothes, or drive expensive cars. The cool people are those who will look you straight in the eye and call it a practice swing.
• Life is too short to chase after every lost ball.
• Don’t avoid a fun time with friends because you’re afraid they will discover that you’re a clumsy, uncoordinated twit. Please, believe me: They already know you’re a clumsy, uncoordinated twit.
• Fear is crippling. And quite boring. Buck up. Show up. And keep your head up. (Or, in some cases, keep your head down and your knees bent and your forearms straight, you stupid freaking idiot.)
• Take the mulligan.
• Winning is fun. But–little known fact–losing is fun, too, if you do it with the right people.
• There is always more than one way to earn a trophy. (Right, Lisa?)
• At least once a year, put on your crazy pants.
• There are all kinds of people in the world. You’re, uh, going to want to let a lot of them play through.
• It’s a relatively short game. Seek out those who ease your soul, heal your heart, and make you laugh from your belly. Throw your arms around them, keep them close, and celebrate every blessed moment you have with them.

So, yes, I spoke the truth. My favorite day of the year began on a golf course.

It ended with beer and burgers and card games and late-night hyjinx, like this year’s impromptu Putting Wrong-handed in the Dark contest, which a clumsy, uncoordinated twit, barefoot and tipsy but in the company of friends, just happened to win.

Thank you Ed and Cheri for making it happen. God bless ya, my teammates. Hugs to all my golfing Life Preservers. And cheers to you, Damon. Always missed. Never forgotten.

Entry filed under: Life Preservers. Tags: Damon Garde Memorial Golf, friendship, golf.