“Thankful for Golf”

As we approach Thanksgiving, I thought it would be a perfect time to reflect on what I am thankful for when it comes to this game.

Don’t misunderstand me, the true meaning of Thanksgiving is not lost on me. Of course I am thankful for the turkey, stuffing and all the fixings – not to mention the dessert – but I am also very thankful for the game I enjoy so much.

There’s no way to list everything that I’m thankful for when it comes to golf…so, in no particular order, here are 7 things about golf that I am thankful for this Thanksgiving:

• It is Ageless. There are very few sports that a 72-year-old woman can literally school a 26-year-old in the game. (Am I right Deb?) I am thankful for golf because it is the great equalizer.
• It builds relationships. Golf brings moments and people together. There’s no better place than the golf course to get to know somebody. The course is perfect for new and old friends. The bond that has been created between my playing partner and myself is something I wouldn’t trade for anything. This game gives me a great deal of time with the love of my life – what more could there be?
• The Sweet Spot. Golfers know what I’m talking about. That swing. That impact. That follow through. That finish. That feeling that makes me believe I was born to play this game.
• The Reality. That feeling –“that sweet spot” – in golf that I am thankful for? Well, truth be told – it only comes around every once in a very long while. Indeed, golf is a very humbling sport and for that, I’m thankful.
• The 19th Hole. Yes, I love the game. But a big part of the game is the post-round libations. Talking about my best shot, comparing scores and stats is all part of the game. Not to mention that sometimes it is just fun to kick back and enjoy a nice cold one after a round!
• The Mulligan. If only there were mulligans in life! Golf, depending on who I play with, sometimes gives me a second chance. I always make sure I make the most of that opportunity!
• The First (or Last) Tee Time.  There’s just something nicer about playing when the course isn’t so jammed up. In the mornings, I can play at my pace, there are no spike prints in my putting line and I’m usually home before lunch. A twilight round comes at a reduced rate and I get the added bonus of the sun setting.

Quite honestly, for a gal who has no particular talent to play and started with no real connections or background in the game; golf has provided me several lifetimes of friends, memories, experiences and adventures. And though my opportunities are more than most, I also know that there are millions of people who share the exact same sentiments I have regarding golf and what it means to them.

I am truly grateful to have traveled the globe, and now this great nation, all the while sharing golf with others. I am grateful for every muni course I have played, just as much as the opportunity to play a round at St. Andrews.

Loving golf has no boundaries.

And finally, I am thankful for every one of our gallery members. (Sometimes I wonder if anyone is even reading this stuff.) Our blog is only the beginning – you, the reader completes it.

To each and every one of you we send a huge THANK YOU!

Thank you for taking the time to read our blog, sharing it with others, and giving feedback!

Happy Thanksgiving from 18 Holes and Counting!

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting!

Written by Kathy Festa