Summer of 1987.
Ridgewood Golf Club, Athens Tennessee.
The 4th hole is par three, 162 yards, from the white tees.
The green is big and elevated, sloping from the front to the back. From the tee, you can see the flag, but not the green.
A reminder that you can't always see exactly what you are aiming at.
He was playing alone. 21 years old, and living in Athens for the last two months.
His first real job was two hours from friends and family. That's just how it was.
An hour before dark, he could see one person ahead of him, also walking. He hurried the first three holes to catch up, hoping to play in and have someone to talk to.
He waited till the other fellow putted out and walked off the fourth green, then he teed it up. He had a smooth swing, and good distance. Which club? A full 9? A 3/4 8? Or an easy 7?
It was hot outside, and he was warmed up and confident. Nine iron.
A glance at the flag, and a big swing. He clicked it. The ball traveled high and straight. As it made a thud sound on the green, he put his bag on his shoulder and started walking.
He saw the green. The ball was not there. A divot was near the flag. He layed his golf bag just off the green on the side of the next tee. Five iron and putter in hand, he walked off the back, thinking the ball rolled or bounced long. Nothing. Then, he walked to the hole.
There it was. In the cup. A hole in one.
By now, the other fellow saw him looking, and finally picking the ball up. He asked, "Did you hit that in??"
"Yep, Sure did, I can't believe it either!" Still smiling, he walked to the next tee box and asked, "Can I play on in with you?" The first fellow said, "You go ahead. I'm not that good."
He laughed and said, "I'm not that good either, that's the first one I've ever had. I guess I hit what I was aiming for."
So he took his next shot and played through, as they say. Alone. The other guy followed a few minutes behind. When he finished his round, the Pro Shop was closed. There were a couple of cars in the parking lot. No one was there.
He went back to his one bedroom apartment, and back to work the next day. For the longest time, he didn't tell anyone. Who would believe it? He kept the ball, and the score card for a couple of years. Finally, the ball, and the score card, got lost.
Some experiences, and memories are like that. Bittersweet.
Other times, I've made a new friend, or something remarkable came from what started as an alone thing. A good example is a bike ride from April, 2010, the United Way Dogwood 100. https://rdside.blogspot.com/2010/04/100-miles-on-bicycle.html
I think about that golf shot from time to time. Lately when I'm daydreaming about a long motorcycle ride, that I don't have any business going on alone.
The current daydream is a 420 mile ride. Leave at 5AM, Home to Tellico Plains, then the Cherohola Parkway to Robbinsville NC. Lunch at Lynn's about 10 AM my time.
Then return by the Tail of the Dragon, north on Highway 129, then Dayton and Dunlap, McMinnville and back home. If I take my time, and stop to take pictures and stretch, should take nine gallons of gas and eight or nine hours. Home by 2PM.
I'm reminded of a Henry David Thoreau quote. "The mass of men live lives of quiet desperation, and go to the grave with the song still in them."
There's some truth to that. I think Thoreau meant daily routine, and surviving a ho hum existence.
Makes me believe we need to try big things. Even if it doesn't make sense. Even if it's alone.
Play golf.
Take that motorcycle ride.
Get back to a hobby or thing you once enjoyed.
Write and sing that song.
Plant flowers.
Leave room in your schedule and routine for good things to happen.
Maybe "alone things" make us better, happier people to be around.
All the while, look around and cheer for somebody.
The runners, and swimmers.
People that write, paint, play instruments, or sing.
Quiet, dependable people that no one is cheering for.
People that plant flowers and care for unwanted animals.
Emily Radford comes to mind. A beautiful soul, Emily was our neighbor and babysitter when we lived in Gray. She now shares her love and gift for growing beautiful flowers with the rest of us. Emily's garden is WillowHillFarmTN on facebook and instagram. Follow and enjoy!
https://www.instagram.com/willowhillfarmtn/?hl=en
I also think about my neice, Claire. She just got her "job-job" as my sister, Sheri says. Her BS, and Master's degree is in Biology. She leaves in a week to move to Montgomery, Alabama, four hours from home. With the excitement of the future, comes the natural apprehension about a new place, and new friends. Claire has the best qualities from her mom and dad, and will do great things in Alabama. She may get her willingness to travel and do things from her Aunt Melanie. Sheri and I are more home bodies. We are so proud and look forward to enjoying her advernture as she lives it.
We have to slow down and see and talk to people.
Remind someone that their effort makes the world a better, more beautiful place.
Experiences are what counts. Learn from all of them. Talk about it. Write about it. Someone else can learn and do better.
You may become someone else's inspiration.
Be willing to try!
It's ok if you can't see exactly what you are aiming for.