GOLFING IN THE KINGDOM
Ghost Creek, PR GCSpent most of Saturday watching Tiger Woods come back from the pack in
the Masters to get within 4 strokes of front runner Chris DeMarco. Who
knew what the final round would bring - but Tiger is without a doubt
the 'best' golfer of this era which boasts some great ones - Mickelson,
Els, Goosen, Singh and add DiMarco - after Sunday's thrilling end. But
Tiger is 'the magician' who can get in horrendous trouble and despite
adversity come out on top or make a run at it. Victories in 9 'majors';
43 PGA victories, an historic streak of making 152 cuts and he's only
29! Just for the record, nobody ever started changing/lengthening
courses until Tiger showed up, why? I met Tiger's Dad at KPTV several
years ago, I saw where he get's his determination! Growing up in
Roseburg, I loved watching golf on TV - Ben Hogan was my 'favorite' and
the Masters 'the' golf tournament - which begins the golf season for
most golf wannabe's. Amen corner was not merely a challenging venue for
the golfers, but gorgeous with its azaleas and rhododendrons - the
promise of spring and summer to come. But I grew up playing baseball
not golf from sixth grade through my sophomore year at RHS. At age 16 I
'transitioned' from Babe Ruth baseball to golf. I was too small for the
next step - American Legion ball and terrified of a 90 mile an hour
fast ball. But a summer of golf did not increase by love for the game -
so I quit - never to pick up a club until age 50. Then Jason cajoled me
into playing with him as he practiced golf as a member of his high
school team in 'the Grove. I humored him just hacking around. But then
at a pre-school conference at Kah Nee Tah, Marsh Lee (historian and
golf coach at Pacific) gave me some pointers. I began believing the
myth I 'could' play this game! My addiction was just beginning... In
1996 I followed then two time US Amateur champ Tiger Woods around
Pumpkin Ridge the week he won his third US Amateur Championship, months
before he turned pro. To see him up close and personal was thrilling
and the virus that is golf set in. The Portland metro area is blessed
with some great golf courses - Pumpkin Ridge and The Reserve are the
most famous, hosting US Women's Opens and Senior Opens. What's even
nicer they are a mere 15-20 minute drive from home! We also have a
great links course, Quail Valley and a traditional tree lined course,
Forest Hills, both a short drive from home. Jason and his best high
school friend, Fraser Horn, used to team up against their 'Dads' for
some rousing matches. The 'old farts' often pulled rabbits out of the
hat to sneak bye the 'young turks'. Since Jason works at Witch Hollow,
the private side of Pumpkin Ridge, I get an occasional free round. Tony
and I have shared rounds at Yakima's Apple Tree course and Washington
National, the UW's home course south of Seattle. But my golf partners
are more likely to be Marsh Lee, George Evans and H. Joe Story - the
fearsome 'foursome'. I also play rounds with a former student, Patrick
Clark - and last summer we were joined for two rounds at Camas Meadows
and Ghost Creek with Dietrich and Andra. And then there's Marc Volavka,
from PA - with whom I've shared golf memories and experiences out
'east' and 'west'. Over the years I've had fun in Maui - at Kapalua, in
San Diego at Torrey Pines, in Tucson with George and Donna Evans, at
the 'Ranch' with Marsh Lee et al and last summer in BC at Whistler with
Whitman alum-friend - Ward Mowry. With my retirement from Pacific, but
not from making trouble in the classroom (PSU) or beyond [Metro/Salem?]
- I will have more time to work on my 'game' which needs a lot - given
an official USGA handicap of 21. But at best golf is not about the
score but a state of mind - 'living in the moment', enjoying the
company of friends and relishing some of the most beautiful scenery
around... Standing on a tee box at Kapalua and looking across at
Molokai requires no 'post-modernist' de-construction to understand the
magic of golfing in "the Kingdom".
Kapalua GC, MauiFORE!!!
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