Fore-thousand Miles Away
While preparing to study abroad in Galway, Ireland, I made a promise to my grandfather that I would not leave for Europe without playing a round of golf. I had no idea at the time but that promise would leave me with my greatest golf memory and a scorecard that stands at the beacon of my golf career.
Upon leaving for a trip to Scotland, a friend and I decided that it was a sacred duty as golfers to complete the pilgrimage and make the best attempt two college students can to play St. Andrews. After doing some research and placing our names in the lottery for the daily ballot, I was in disbelief to find my partner and I with a 9am tee time. The 5am train from Edinburg ferried us to the gorgeous town and as we found our way to the course, we were both left speechless. I can't imagine there is a more beautiful sight in the world for a golfer than coming around the corner and seeing the North Sea meet the euphoric 6,387 years of golf's heritage. A text I received in the locker room from my father informed me that my entire extended family had a pool going on my score so I was still determined to put together some sort of round despite my pleasantly overwhelmed nature.
The day seemed to float by in a whirlwind of joy and not even an 8 on the par 3 8th hole after getting stuck in some of the tall stuff could affect my content mood. Yes, I was smiling after a snowman; that is how happy I was. I could write pages on our experience from the group of regulars in front of us that brought their black Labrador to walk with them or the feeling of hitting my best drive of the day over the wall on 17, only to make a very nervous double bogey, but it couldn't do a justice to how I felt during that round. I was the first person in a family of great golfers to cross Swilken Bridge and I realized the roots my family instilled in me through golf, which have helped shape who I am. All the times out with my father and brother seemed to lead me to this point and I realized the only way to have made it better would have been to have them there playing with me. This was my way of carrying on my family's golf legacy, which is both very important to me and great because my handicap isn't getting any lower.
The experience has left me with memories for a lifetime and stories to tell on the tee boxes for the rest of my life, but it didn't culminate until my return home. My round didn't truly end until the joy of sitting down with my grandfather and showing him the pictures and telling him stories connecting him to a round of golf. Moments like that are why I play golf and why it is the greatest game in the world.
Oh, and if you're curious, my mother won the pool and guessed my score accurately, which only seemed appropriate.
