Many of you won’t be too interested in the topic of golf, but keep an open mind and read on.
For those of you who are familiar with Robin Williams, then you will know that the first video below is irreverent. It is so irreverent! 🙂
I started playing golf in my sophomore year of high school (my 2nd year of the four years of high school). My dad “taught” me how to play, mostly just by having me walk around the golf course when he was playing, letting me watch other people play. Eventually he handed me a golf club so I could practice imitating those golfers. I didn’t take lessons. I just started hitting a ball and playing golf. And the rest is history.
In my junior year of high school, my third year of high school, another junior girl and I were doing really well in our grade level golf group. At the end of that year, she and I won the tournament against all of the other junior girls, and all of the junior boys. And then, well, then! The school decided to set up another competition, another set of rounds of golf between the senior high school players and the two of us junior girls.
Yep, we beat the senior girls, and we beat the senior boys, all of them. Both of us. The two of us, each of us, as juniors in high school (grade 11) beat all of the girls and boys who were seniors (grade 12). And I beat that other junior girl as well. I beat them all. I loved that. That still makes me grin today. 🙂
So, when I got to college, I figured I’d have an easy A+ by taking golf as the PE (physical education) requirement. That did not work out so well. I tried to change my game according to what that young woman instructor taught (she was a golf pro) but it messed up my game so much that I never did play well after that. Still, I’ve enjoyed playing a game of golf every now and then … fresh air … a nice walk … good fun with friends.
And I’m Scottish (and of course you all know that golf started in Scotland). And so I really like this video wherein Robin Williams so irreverently talks about the beginnings of the game of golf in Scotland. 🙂 [We have to forgive Robin, or NOT, for saying the Scots drank a Guinness, an Irish beer. The Scots ne’er wid hae dane that!]
Interestingly to me, most of my diehard golfing friends pronounce the word “golf” not as “golf” but more like “gof” or “gowf”, without the L in the word.
Here’s another video with actual historic information (and a bit of humor as well) that supports the pronunciation of the word “golf” without the L sound … and with lots more real information and real history, if you’re interested. 🙂
My very good friend, Mae Schoenrock, a life-long golfer (and a very good golfer indeed), traveled to and played on the old course at St Andrews (Saint Andrews) in Scotland. Maybe some day I will have that privilege as well. 🙂
But in the meantime, here at home, some years ago I attended an LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) tournament here in Washington State. Oh, no I didn’t play! I walked the course with friends and watched the professionals play that game, watched those extraordinary women play the game. Patty Sheehan won the tournament. The surname Sheehan is Irish. My grandmother, Anna McNamara was Irish. Maybe my game will get back on track with that connection? Hmmm, or not. 🙂
Here’s a photo of Patty Sheehan. She often wore traditional knickers (pants) when she played golf.
Fun stuff. 🙂
I’ve played golf most of my life. Didn’t know most of this!!
It’s fun to learn stuff, isn’t it? I gotta go play more golf! 🙂
Loved your story and!!! It reminded me of my Dad!!! 💖
Oh Melly, you bet, it reminded me of your Dad too!! Doug was always racing off on a weekend morning for 18 holes. He loved golf! Well, but wait, he actually really truly actually loved his family … he loved you so much, it was so obvious to those of us who were simply “related”. He loved you so much. Ok, enough of that, let’s go hit some balls! 🙂
Sheehan was super! She was only 5’3″ but she was a whirlwind, I have friends who knew/know her. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame ( …… finally including women). She won I think six championships (not just tournaments, but full championships). I walked along and watched her play one of her championships too, not the one you watched, but another. That women are finally being recognized is wonderful, thank you for that. And yet, both men and women who play golf professionally are extraordinary. Ok, I’ve played golf, not so well, lol! But at least those who play are out in the fresh air, walking, and exercising. Here’s to Scotland and to golf!
Oh wow, you know someone who knows her. That’s cool! Funny how the connections connect. Thanks for sharing that, Babe. 🙂 Great comment, thank you.
You were good! Wish that woman hadn’t messed up your game. I tried golf for awhile, didn’t too to well, LOL! But yes, it’s a great way to get out and get exercise, and it doesn’t really matter whether you’re good or not. Just exercise your body!
Indeed, playing golf is super good exercise, and it’s fun when you play with friends who don’t play any better than you do, eh? 🙂 Thanks Cindy.
Used to play golf too, but then started watching it on TV more than playing. I remember Sheehan. Fun stuff. Glad you beat those other kids. 🙂
Oh, Ben, me too. I’ve been watching it on TV way more than I play anymore. We should be out there on the links hitting balls, chipping, putting, or searching in the out-of-bounds tall grass for our ball. 🙂
Had a friend in high school who wanted to become a golf pro. Lost track of her after college but I think she did become a pro golfer … Amy Alcott? Went to school with her in Los Angeles (almost typed just LA but figured I’d better spell it out). 🙂 She was SO dedicated!!! I played some back then too, but it wasn’t something I wanted to spend my whole life doing, it was just a fun pastime.
Oh, Emily, yes … Amy Alcott is a very well known pro golfer! I’d bet you can “google” her and find lots of web-links to her. She’s very well known and highly regarded as an LPGA player. When I learn how much time and money these professional golfers spend on their “sport”, I’m so very impressed with their dedication (like you say Amy had), but me too, like you, I just didn’t want to spend my whole life doing that. And yet, the people who do are so amazing. People who do different things in life are so interesting.
I played golf as a youngster too. That was a good number of years ago. And I wasn’t very good either, but I sure liked playing, whack that ball! and had fun with friends. I remember hearing about Patty Sheehan, and I remember when the LPGA finally gathered momentum. I still watch tournaments online. Those women are terrific! Thanks for bringing back those memories, Ann.
Ah ha! Another young golfer. 🙂 It sure is fun to think back and remember isn’t it? I watch women’s golf on TV or online once in a while these days and I don’t have a clue who any of them are … ha! But I love the memories. Thanks for the comment, Jamie.
Never played golf, don’t know anything about it, but as always I learn something from you, and it’s fun and interesting. My wife is of Irish descent! What could be better. 🙂
Well, I’m about 20% Irish, so I’d be agreeing with you about that perfect Irish wife. 🙂 Thanks for being here, Tim. I really like your comments and that you’ve been here from the beginning of this blog. 🙂