Golf Course Time Machine

Recently had the opportunity to visit one of my childhood memories. One of the major influences on my life was my grandmother. In spending an enormous amount of time together, she taught me about so much in life, but one of our cherished activities was golf. We had our course- a small nine hole course that in the eyes of a youngster seemed as monstrous as the modern day Pebble Beach. Our routine was the same- check in at the modest clubhouse, a few quick putts on the putting green to determine early bragging rights, a walk down the asphalt entryway to the first tee and none holes of golf exchanging fun-loving barbs. It always ended the same as well- a 7-up and snickers bar on a small table in the clubhouse while adding up the real scores and phantom “do-over” shots that were always hotly debated.

I happened to be driving the neighborhood the other day, and while I knew the course closed almost four years ago, I drove by to see if there was anything left. As if given one last chance to say good-bye, there stood the course in it’s entirety…although brown weeds were now the fairways and greens and the clubhouse had been left to wither away. The open gates to the drive-way were a clear sign that I was being given one last chance to walk the grounds. A few things struck me as I toured the premises by myself:

**I didn’t spend near enough time enjoying this in the moment. Life is so fast and we constantly are reminding ourselves to enjoy, but I honestly don’t think any of us- especially me- do enough to stop and enjoy what we are doing…and who we are doing it with.

**I’m reminded that “Father Time is undefeated”. The romantic side of life would leave everything the same and fresh in our memories…it just doesn’t work that way. A recent agreement has houses to be built and soon the only left of this will be what’s in my head…and that erodes day-day as well.

**Some things are never forgotten. Amazingly, the most emotional moment was walking down the hill to the first tee. I couldn’t remember a certain shot or specific day, but I can remember walking down that stretch of uneven asphalt time and time again…it was though I had done it yesterday. The feel, the smell, the decent angle…everything felt real and the same…

…and I guess lastly, I just miss my grandmother!