by Andy Weddington
Tuesday, 12 April 2016
Competitive golf is played mainly on a five-and-a-half-inch course... the space between your ears. Bobby Jones
The Masters was Jordan Spieth's to lose.
He did.
He, last year's champion leading all the way and by a handful of strokes after 65 holes, quadrupled the par 3 12th. It was ugly.
Thereafter was glimmer of a rally until missing a birdie putt on the 16th. The earlier four count too much and downed a master swinger.
Mr. Spieth is 22. And human, as he proved.
To hear the sports personalities on Sunday, and read the analysts and writers since, you'd think it was the worst thing that could happen in life.
Pardon, but it's a game - a golf tournament.
There's a difference between losing and getting beat.
Jordan Spieth did not get beat.
The man Mr. Spieth gifted the green jacket to, 28-year old Englishman Danny Willett, has his head on straight.
Only because his son was born less than a couple weeks early did he play. Otherwise, he was not going to. There's a breath of fresh air.
It's a golf tournament.
Some things are meant to be.
Some call it fate. Others embrace karma. In this wacky sport, there's ever mention of golf gods. Whatever.
A green jacket for Danny Willett, courtesy of Jordan Spieth, was meant to be.
Congratulations, Mr. Willett!
Tend to your five-and-a-half-inch course, Mr. Spieth.
It's a game - a golf tournament.
See you two next year in Augusta, God willing. After all, we're only human. And, like golf, life is full of traps and hazards; some for making worse than bogey or even quadruple. And in the real game sudden death is not a continuation of play.
In the meantime, gents, relax, smile, and enjoy being a master swinger - hit 'em long and straight.
And ever practice Jim Courier's (a master swinger, too, but with tennis racket) thoughts on competitive play, "Sportsmanship for me is when a guy walks off the court and you really can't tell whether he won or lost, when he carries himself with pride either way."
That's the mark of a professional, trait of a leader, the epitome of a gentleman, and applies to the course, too.
Bobby Jones, a master swinger and founder of The Masters, was that sort of gent. Follow his lead! For youths, with dreams of club membership, are watching - every step, swing, and stroke. Count on it! So lead, show them the 'fair way.'
Posts
1 comment:
What's good/refreshing to see is Jordan Speith's graciousness when interviewed, and then when presenting the Green Jacket to Mr. Willett. He is unusually well grounded for a 22-year old, due to his upbringing in a very solid, 2-parent family. Oh yes, he still walked off the course with $880K.
Post a Comment