The 10th Green (Dragoons Drop) as seen from the tee

I'm the man!: Part 3

I began playing golf forty-three years ago. My earliest rounds were with my father and my brother, Bob, at the American Legion Golf Course in New Castle, Indiana. My father and I were both left-handed and so we shared his clubs. My brother, insisted that I play every shot with a 7 Iron when I began. Bob said that it was a good club with which to learn the basics of the swing. (In later years I have suspected that he only did that to speed up play.) But, in retrospect, I have always felt quite comfortable with a 7 iron in my hand.

Finally, the higher-ups at the golf course required us to quit sharing clubs because they felt it slowed our play. Quite ridiculous, in hindsight, because my father barely stopped walking before he would hit his next shot. On the day I got my own set of clubs (which Dad purchased for $19.95 at Arlans Discount City) we played a round and in a fit of excitement over a made putt, I hit my father squarely between the eyes and almost rendered him unconscious. My brother reminded me of that event in a touching eulogy delivered at Dad's funeral.

Forty-three years and never a hole-in-one. I had begun to wonder if I would ever get one. I'd been close, and made some long second shots on par fours, but the hole-in-one remained elusive. That is, until today. I went out at 7.00 am to get a round of golf in before my work day began. That time of morning I can knock out 18 holes in just under three hours. On the tenth hole, Dragoons Drop, I pulled out my trusted 7 iron and sent the ball toward the green. A ball mark and two bounces later I had a hole-in-one. No witnesses, except the sheep in the next field who took little, if any, interest. I didn't yell, I didn't jump up and down. I just smiled and chuckled to myself. As I walked toward the green my thoughts turned to Dad and my brother. How I wish they could have been here to share the moment with me. Thanks Dad, for sharing your clubs and your life with me. Thanks Bob, for making me feel very comfortable with a 7 iron.