Round of My Life

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 Back in 1984 we lived in Mill Valley, California. I was just 19 years old. There was a golf course - ‘Golden Gate Golf Course’ that I could walk to.

I went at least 4 days a week and one day, I was hitting the ball long and straight and playing that often, I learned the course. 

I shot a 39 and a 40 for a 79.

Since then, I’ve aged considerably and my game got a lot worse when the kids were young because I wasn’t playing.

These last few years we have played a regular schedule and have visited the same, really nice course each week.

I love the place and I knew that someday I could have a great round again.

I shot 80 there twice in the last few years. Great rounds - but not good enough.

I started the round with a par, bogey, birdie, par, par and it entered my mind.

Didn’t look again until after hole 16.

“I need a par and a bogey for a 79,” I told my buddies Pops and J.C.

They were really rooting for me.

Chippy was the star of hole 17 - from off the green to a tap in for the par.

“Only a bogey left.”

We were playing behind three guys who were slow, horrible, shooting the green, marking putts and getting on their knees to read the green.

So, I had to wait, and I could feel myself choking.

“Relax, keep it in the middle,” Pops said.

I did on the first two shots, and then chunked one.

Uh-oh.

Still had 3 shots to get it in from 110 yards out.

Hit a decent shot that I felt good about, but when I made it over the ridge, my heart sunk!

My ball was in the sand!!!

I had one thought:

“I wasted my day with that bad break. That’s golf.”

I thought of my buddy Chris telling me to stand up straighter when I was using my irons…

…and I then hit the absolute best shot of my life.

My ball was within 2 inches of the hole. 

I have never once cheered on the golf course.

I did there…

…and the best part was the smile on the faces of my buddies - wish Scotty wasn’t hurt - I walked up and tapped the gimme a foot wide of the hole just to make Pops scream.

I knew I’d done it.

A 79!

The next one will be when I’m 99 years old.

I know it means absolutely nothing to anyone, and it shouldn’t - but it was a goal I’d set for myself.

And I freaking did it.

Same ball I used all day found a spot in my kitchen window - next to the small figurine of Peter Griffin that Jake gave to me 20 years ago.

I’m going to look at it every day.

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