A blog or two ago I wrote of a pending game of golf that was to be played amongst family members. I am here to say the game is now history. It was played in near-perfect weather (for north-central Kansas): a slight breeze and 90° temperatures. Everyone showed up early for the tee time (thanks to Trevor’s wake-up call to Tara); cold beverages (adult and otherwise) were strategically placed every third hole or so for our convenience and solace. It was a grand day despite a 5+ hour round of golf and nearly 2 hours worth of fundraiser auctions.

We all had our moments around the course. Some of us had longer moments than others (the author for one and for the most part). Missed shots, missed putts, missing golf balls, and cart partners missing their ride (thanks Dad). What made this game special was the May’s made up two of the 30-odd foursomes playing. Dad/Grandpa was so proud when the course Marshall broadcasted the shotgun starting holes as “on the number 1 tee…all the May’s”. That was really kind of cool for all of us, not just Dad.

My son Tyler traveled the furthest to play – about 750 miles. Although niece Dani had logged more miles coming all the way from Delaware (from a business trip-not her home) on Thursday to tee up with us Friday morning. Ahhh, the benefits of youth is being able to do those sort of trips….

Laughter was common throughout the day. Unintentionally, I provided much of the comedic relief having a game that suffered from a lack of practice, skill, effort, and concentration. After being able to “sleep on it” now for a few days, I’ve come to the excuse that it was a payback to my brothers (see my 21-Bizarre Salute blog). My play was a pitiful display talent, but a stellar show of sportsmanship (my game was laughed at by all the entire day without once getting upset). For some odd reason the two May foursomes saw humor in the fact that I can “whiff” a golf shot so easily and also stated amazement with my uncanny ability to advance a golf ball (legally) without the club ever striking it (thank heavens for taking large divots of turf with my swing). At least two of my shots didn’t clear the ladies tee, and one shot advanced 3 paces forward and 10 paces to the right (yeah, Tony measured it). I don’t know how many golf shots went undiscovered, out of bounds and were played from an adjacent fairway to the hole in play.

Let it be known for the next 12 months: with this write, I stake an official claim for “the shot of the day”: a PERFECT execution of a 9-iron approach through the steering wheel and into the glove compartment of Dad’s golf cart (his cart was slightly in front of my shot so I did, technically, advance the ball). It ever-so-softly, no, magically settled into the passenger side glove compartment, coming to rest next to my camera and cell phone without leaving a dent or breaking a lens. And it (the golf ball) stayed there the rest of the day. I make no excuses for my game, however I adamantly refuse to pay the dry cleaning bill of my brothers golf apparel as it was they who saw it fitting to fall on the ground (laughing) and thus obtain the heavy grass stains on their clothes. Nor will I pay Dad’s chiropractor’s bill as he jerked his neck and head skyward looking for my golf ball only to be told it was 15 feet behind him…in the glove compartment of his cart…told to him by my fellow golf partners…in broken sentences…almost unintelligently because of the predominant laughter… annoyingly verbalized in such an unsportsmanlike, un-brotherly manner, I might add. But like a true loving father, his intentions of spotting my should-have-been shot was admirable (thanks again Dad).

The “Youngens” beat the “Old Guys” by one stroke again this year. Tara had an incredible all-around game, Tyler proved practice paid off with contributing golf shots all day, Dani’s short game was better than her tee box however she did wait until #18 to hit a wonderful drive off the tee to clear 100 yards of water (I was the only one to put that shot in the drink that hole by the way), and Trevor’s 40-yard chip in at #10 is what got the Youngens winning (and cocky) and started their Tiger Woods march to the 19th hole.

The Old Guys bought the beer (or should I say, TR did). The Old Guys bought the auction items (or should I say, TR was the largest financial contributor unbeknownst to him). The Old Guys cooked the burgers afterwards (or should I say, TR ran the grill). Thanks TR – your contributions for the day were more than you realize!

A great time was had by all. I not so sure I’m anxious for next year, but I look forward to another golf game with everyone regardless.

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