Farquod
Short Game Tragedy
- Mar 8, 2005
- 1,165
- 0
I never really played much with my Dad, as I didn't pick up the game with any seriousness until my late 30s.
Like, 38.
A few driving range trips when I was a kid, and then a few in my teens. Fishing was more our speed.
However, we still play once or twice a year on a small executive course on the Outer Banks when we all go down for summer vacation.
This year was really kinda special. He's 80 now, and playing with him is very much like playing with Mr. Haversham from Caddy Shack.
You remember, "That was a peach, hon!"
He just has no turn. I mean none. His cartilage is all melting away, and he is just stiffening right up.
And I remember when he could belt the ball pretty good.
So anyway, we get to the 5th hole on this little course, which is a par 4 with a water hazard right in front of the green, like 200 out. And you have to play over a set of low scrub pines, which makes the tee shot blind. My dad hits a driver, and punches it out maybe 100, 120 yards.
Did I mention that he's 80?
His second shot he punches forward again, right out to the lip of the hazard. Maybe 75 yards to the stick.
He pulls out his pitching wedge, and sets up right on the edge of the water. He takes a deep breath, makes a turn--a beautiful turn--a work of art for an 80 year old--and that ball flew on a perfect trajectory, right at the pin. Landed like the proverbial "butterfly with sore feet," 9 inches from the cup.
He was a kid again, if for only a moment. Grinning ear to ear. The Tiger pump. The rest of us gave him a standing ovation.
There are times when I love this game. That was one of them.
BTW, we made him make the putt.
I loved THAT part, too.
Like, 38.
A few driving range trips when I was a kid, and then a few in my teens. Fishing was more our speed.
However, we still play once or twice a year on a small executive course on the Outer Banks when we all go down for summer vacation.
This year was really kinda special. He's 80 now, and playing with him is very much like playing with Mr. Haversham from Caddy Shack.
You remember, "That was a peach, hon!"
He just has no turn. I mean none. His cartilage is all melting away, and he is just stiffening right up.
And I remember when he could belt the ball pretty good.
So anyway, we get to the 5th hole on this little course, which is a par 4 with a water hazard right in front of the green, like 200 out. And you have to play over a set of low scrub pines, which makes the tee shot blind. My dad hits a driver, and punches it out maybe 100, 120 yards.
Did I mention that he's 80?
His second shot he punches forward again, right out to the lip of the hazard. Maybe 75 yards to the stick.
He pulls out his pitching wedge, and sets up right on the edge of the water. He takes a deep breath, makes a turn--a beautiful turn--a work of art for an 80 year old--and that ball flew on a perfect trajectory, right at the pin. Landed like the proverbial "butterfly with sore feet," 9 inches from the cup.
He was a kid again, if for only a moment. Grinning ear to ear. The Tiger pump. The rest of us gave him a standing ovation.
There are times when I love this game. That was one of them.
BTW, we made him make the putt.
I loved THAT part, too.