Friends and Golf

Today, was an excellent day. I went to the golf course this morning with the intention of hitting a few shots, and then going out to the course. I wanted to try out a set of irons that have different shafts than my current set. As soon as I got to the course, the guys told me that a friend of mine named Adam was looking to play. I told them I would be on the range for a little warm up, and then I was ready.
As I drove up to the range, I saw some other friends getting ready to play. Donnie Hammond, Fred Gibson, Fulton Allem, and Larry Rinker were on the range warming up. These guys are great to be around. There must be close to 100 years of professional golf knowledge in just that foursome. I have been fortunate enough to play with them a few times, and they are fun. The most enjoyable part of playing golf with guys like that has got to be their sayings. That much time in golf and the good stuff can really fly. Every nickname in the book about hooks, slices, toe-shots, and healers!
I chatted with those guys for just a few minutes, before they went out to tee it up. Adam met me on the range, and after a short warm-up, we drove over to the putting green. Just as we were about to go our good friend John pulled up. John is one heck of a golfer who is getting ready for the senior tour. He is a great athlete, and completely self-taught. It is really impressive to watch him play. Adam, John, and I went out to play. We played from the forward tees again, just to see how low we could go. John shot four under on the front, and I shot three under with an eagle on the 9th hole. After that, we stopped in for a quick bite to eat, and a break from the 95-degree heat. Lou Holtz the football coach came out and was looking for a game, so we chatted in the grillroom for a bit, and then we were off for another eighteen holes.
Spending time with friends like this on the golf course is what it is all about. Adam, John, and Lou are all very competitive. We give each other a hard time, and encourage one another, all in the same sentence. It is a blast.
Being around a person like Coach Holtz is also tremendous. He has an incredible amount of energy, and has always been very encouraging to me. The thing that makes guys like him so impressive is that they are human. It is so encouraging to get to know someone who has been on the Johnny Carson show three or four times, written three bestsellers, and won two NCAA football championships. He is a normal guy, who makes great decisions, and becomes an extraordinary guy.
Being around good friends is a blessing, and today I felt blessed. I definitely feel lucky to have experiences like this. The game has already given me so much, now it is time to go get a Masters trophy!