Chippy the Magnificent!
Pretty damn tired today after playing golf on back-to-back days with my long-time central New York buddies.
We head out for two great courses in Binghamton and while it’s a long drive, it’s well worth it.
I got out of the car pretty stiff and my spikes were back home. It was also incredibly warm, and I was sweating profusely.
Hit some bad shots on the front 9, but my tee shot on 10 was great, and the day got interesting.
I suddenly felt good, and that feeling lasted through a couple of post-round drinks, a whole lot of laughs, and a big bowl of pasta.
The 8 a.m. shotgun start came early, and I kept hitting the ball straight but I didn’t have a truly great moment until I was off the green about 25 yards, and needing a miracle to par it.
Thing is, last week, I golfed with a real golfer and he gave me a hint on how to chip.
I whispered what he told me, and then I actually did it. I saw the ball drop, and I cheered loudly.
The guys in my foursome were happy for me, but Paul said it first:
“Oh God! Now he’s never going to shut up about his greatness.”
As we lined up our tee shots on the next hole I said:
“Did you guys see my chip back there?”
Four holes later, I shanked my tee shot, but it stayed in the middle. Then I hit a shot about 30 yards.
“This game sucks,” I mentioned.
But there is always another shot coming. I lined up shot #3 and lectured myself about staying down so I could put the 130 yard shot on the green.
I pulled up and the ball skidded across the ground toward a creek bed of rocks.
It hit a rock and bounded straight up in the air.
When it landed I was on the edge of the green, just 80’ from the cup.
“Luckiest bastard I’ve ever seen,” Kip said.
“I planned that.”
Then I walked to my ball. I had Chippy in my hand. Chippy is a club that I’ve had since 1977.
I kissed him and said, “Let’s go.”
The ball was about 40’ away from the cup when Paul said:
“No effing way!”
It fell into the cup.
“NO!!!” Paul cried.
Of course, I was loud, telling everyone as we gathered for lunch.
Four hours after I returned home, I settled in and started sending out the texts.
“Hey! Did you guys hear that I chipped two in?”
Waited a little while:
“Has anyone, in the history of golf, ever made two better chip shots in a 5 hole span?”
I didn’t get a lot of answers.
“Chippy the magnificent!”
I have a busy day tomorrow…
…spreading the word.
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