In the Beginning

How it all started…..A golfing story of Kathy and Marc!

In 1998 Kathy and I had been married for 11 years.  We knew that in order for the two of us to have a long, happy marriage we would have to find something to do together that we both enjoyed. 

For years we tried different things.  We tried racquetball.  I got much better much faster than her. 

Then it was softball.  She had played 1st base for the Navy and I only played one season of little league baseball. This started out good.  I am 6’2” and at the time 215 lbs.  So, I was always picked right away for teams.  That made Kathy upset.  She knew she was the one they really wanted.  Well the teams usually figured that out soon enough.  From then on I would be riding the bench. 

It went on like this for many different sports: Cycling, canoeing, tennis, running – we even tried scuba diving.  It all ended the same.  One was always better and the other demoralized. 

Then one day Kathy’s big sister Debby, told us we should take up the game of golf.  She said it didn’t matter if one was better than the other.  The game was designed for players of all levels to be able to play together and still enjoy the round.  She also highlighted that we would be together outside on beautiful courses.  And, we could play all over the world.  This was important since we were a young military couple, routinely posted overseas.

Well, golf just didn’t sit well with me.  I thought hitting a little ball as far as I could and then walking after it just to hit it again was a waste of a good day.  And down right stupid. 

Then my best friend Ant took up the game.  One year I was home visiting him and he convinced me to join him in a round of golf.  I drove the cart and watched him play.  He wasn’t that good yet.  But, we had a great day.  And since I didn’t do anything except drive the cart and laugh, I thought golf could be it.

The final straw for anything else was a game of racquetball.  Kathy and I were playing and I was destroying her.  I tried everything I could to make it an even match.  I played left handed, gave her starting points.  But it was all over when I said to her “play harder”.  She turned and looked at me, dripping with sweat and said, “I am playing as hard as I can.”  Then her eyes got as big as quarters and she asked, “What are you doing sitting down?”  I told her I was sitting between every shot to make it even.  Her racquet hit the ground faster than any ball she hit that day.  And golf was the only option left.

So, in 1998 Kathy and I started to play golf. 

The first course we played was the Rota Golf Club while stationed in Rota, Spain.  It wasn’t long before we decided that we would give golf a real try.  Learning quickly that it took patience, skill and an even temper.  Well, the temper part wasn’t learned as fast as everything else. 

After playing for a few months we were asked if we would like to volunteer at the Valderrama Royal Club for the European Open.  Of course we said yes.  We had no idea what we were getting into or what we were going to do.  However, they needed us and told us what to do.  We did everything they asked.  And we never looked back.  We were hooked. 

Golf has become a part of who we are as a couple.  It has traveled the world with us to well over 150 different courses.  We have met pro players and pro caddies.  We have played in pro-ams.  And have enjoyed every minute that this game has afforded us. 

Now we are planning our next round – we have retired from moving around the world.  We have purchased an RV and plan to golf in all 50 states – creating our golf bucket-list!  

We are going to rate and review them along the way and hopefully entertain you as we do it all.  We aren’t anything special in the way of skill.  And we certainly are not looking at this from a professional point of view.  I am a 12 handicap and Kathy is a 20 handicap. Our goal is to bring information to you that is relevant from the recreational golfer’s point of view.  Something we hope you will enjoy!

Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting.

Written by: Marc Festa