Playing "The Coach"

[dbuck47]

I grew up in a small town, and learned to play golf at the local country club. The club had a nice little 9 hole course, a swimming pool and a tennis court. The club was private, with a mostly middle- to slightly upper middle class membership, but certainly not eliteist. We had the odd family or two with a decent pile of cash, but most were working class folks with decent jobs.

 

The local high school basketball coach and his family owned a home that backed up to the golf course. They parked their golf carts in their backyard. The whole family was pretty good, and a formidable team in club events. Both sons played college golf, and one was on the tour for a while. Not many at the club kept official handicaps, but I would guess the coach in his prime was at least a single digit.

 

On Thursdays at 1;30, there was always an informal game. Usually the game was "2-low", composed of as many 4-5 person teams as were available. The best golfers would pick teams from whoever showed up. Everyone put up $5, and the winning team took the pot. Everyone played their own ball, and the 2 lowest counted on each hole. Lowest total score wins, playoffs on the course.

 

I have been a bogey golfer most of my life, but at this particular time in my late twenties, I could have probably played to a 10 or 11.

 

On this particular day, a shower ran most everyone off before the game got started. This was my only day in the week to play golf, so I stuck around a bit hoping the rain would quit. The coach stuck around as well. The weather cleared, and I asked if he wanted to play and he accepted. Level match, $1 per hole. I was playing the same Staffs that are in my bag right now.

 

I can't give you stroke by stroke (I started to write a semi fictional recount but decided to spare you :) ) but we played really well. We both shot 38, and I took $1 from "The Coach". I should have framed that dollar and got him to sign it (it was a rare event not accomplished by many) but I didn't. It was a friendly match, but it remains one of my best golf memories.

[oldschoolrocker]

Thanks dbuck. I certainly enjoyed it.

[ScooterMcTavish]

Wish I had great stories like that....

Being thrilled at finding a yellow Wilson Aviator after sneaking under the fence just doesn't have the same panache.