For the love of golf …

 

My motto when meeting new people is to find something in common quickly and build from there.  Maybe that’s the  swift thinking the  starter supplied when two couples, decades apart in age and several states apart in location, were paired.

These couples had a major thing in common,  both were celebrating wedding anniversaries.  The Mathews, T. J. and Julie were on their maiden anniversary round, while the Demicks,  Larry and Debi …..counted an even thirty on their score card.

A breath of fresh air was my accounting as the two twosomes melodically melded into a foursome.  And the big bonus for me, as a tag along, was to meet players who are married to the game of golf and hold horses in their family cache of treasures.     Larry and Debi Demick hail from Virginia and had decided on a Pure Michigan tour dotted with golf.

Debi is the best armchair golf adviser I have met, to date…”knock  the window out Lawrence,” was one of her one-line zingers, encouraging his long drive that lay ahead.   Debi became my new com-padre in my love of equines and all they do for humankind.  And what a human she is.  She started and operates:  wwwhorseshelpingheroesproject.com .

This volunteer work with Veterans currently involves four horses, three of which are  wheelchair safe.  As it turns out, we easily whispered the same language as big play was at hand on the Bear.   T. J. had his lovely bride  aboard his cart.  Julie is a golfer in her own right, however, she demurred to being a supportive passenger on this flight as she is my delightful Goddaughter and we had some catching up to do.

The course was in stellar condition and packed with seasoned players from hither and yon.   T.J.’s mantra is.. High risk… high  reward…and so it goes.  He circled his score card with the birdie on six  and a  great chip, to a tap in.  My claim was that he made his first Birdie after devouring my gluten free bar bearing the same name.  Either way…the birdies were singing from there on out and the ladies were enjoying their own brand of relaxing.

Curiosity was killing this cat so I asked Larry to bestow some sage marital advice to T.J. After a little thought he said, ” be her best friend.  Without that, there is no reason to be together.”    Turnabout is fair play so I asked Debi to dole a tidbit to the young bride.   Debi’s advice was a two word shot dished without much ado:  “have patience.”

Julie  offered a knowing smile and nodded enthusiastically.  It appeared that Debi  had a leg up on that motto which set me to thinking she was  chock full of patience in order for her to tirelessly train her horse friends to aid our Nation’s Disabled Veterans.   I see some Birdie bars finding their way to join the Demicks in their home town of hams and heroes.

I love golf!