It has become my belief in recent months that the Lord created the game of golf to keep all men humble. And I do mean "all men". If you are reading this and a golfer you know exactly what I mean.
This past Monday I was able to be apart of The Master's College annual Robinson Ranch Golf Tournament Fundraiser (I know that is a lot of words, but it describes what it was). For me personally this is one of the funnest parts of my job. I get hang out with students from 6 am to 9:30 am as we set up for the tournament. It seems so crazy as we stuff bags with books and prizes, load golf carts, arrange tables, direct golfers, check people in, give directions, and basic meet and greet sorts of things. I am amazed at how such craziness is so well organized. Once all the prep work is done most of the students head out to different holes to give away prizes or watch to see if someone gets that illusive hole-in-one.
I got the pleasure of sitting on a hole that gave away some sweet Callaway golf balls. They had the TMC logo on them and were the new tour series. Plus if someone got a hole-in-one they would have gotten $25,000. So as far as holes to sit on I got one of the cool ones. People love getting gifts, well at least I know I do, so everyone is super nice no matter how bad the golf game is going. This is the second year I have been partnered up with Lindsay Talbot. She is a little blond ray of sunshine from Alabama and we have a blast chatting with all the players. This year it was especially hot and there was not shade in sight. We gave a quick call to our support team and 20 minutes later a golf cart came around the corner carrying a huge patio umbrella. Kent Haney came to save the day. It was a site to see. We had this large table staked with golf balls, two folding chair, this massive umbrella and Lindsay and I sitting under it sipping Snapple and listening to Casting Crowns.
Okay, you are probably wondering about the humility part. I'm getting to that............I need to set the scene. Now, the hole marker stated that it was 135 yards to the pin. But in golf that doesn't always mean it is exactly 135 yards. If it is up hill for instance it plays more like 139 to 142 and then there is wind and temperature to be considered. So as part of my job I was to inform the players of this tactical information. After about 3 or 4 sets of golfers coming through you start to sound like a real expert and that you actually know what you are doing.
Here is where humiliation comes into play.
A particular set of golfers arrived at the hole and we did our ceremonial chit chat and then I gave my tactical briefing. The first couple of players hit really well and since the play from the best placed ball, the last guy offered me to hit. I quickly informed him I had only been playing for about 3 months and we not very good. He kept insisting and stating over and over that he knew I really wanted to hit. So I finally gave in. Now, it is bad enough being a beginner and not hitting well but add to it the pressure of 4 very good golfers watching you. Now, I only really play with a 7 iron. I don't know why I just seem to be able to hit most balls well with a 7 iron. Well as my luck would have it, I was given a 6 iron which only added to the awkwardness of the situation.
So there I am up at the tee with a 6 iron in my hand and a crowd of semi-pro golfers watching me along with the little ray of sunshine, Lindsay. So I addressed the ball, pulled back, swung with all my might................and took a 3 inch divot out of the green. Humiliation abounded as they all broke out into laughter. Being undaunted by this early defeat I again addressed the ball, pulled back, swung with all my might...........and made contact. You would have thought this was the positive point in the story. Guess again. The ball bounced off the lower tee and sailed far to the right and into the pond. Laughter again broke out and as I turned most humiliated I locked eyes with Lukas the photographer who had happened onto the hole as I was up to swing. Though I don't have the photo's yet, he assured me he has the entire episode of humiliation on film.
