Golf

              Recently, I read an interesting thought expressed by the writer Logan Pearsall Smith: “There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want, after that to enjoy it.  Only the wise of mankind achieve the second.”

              During the summer of 1989, I had the privilege to score for the Senior Golf Tournament, held in Indianapolis that year.  I had a great time and was even privileged to see Arnold Palmer. He wasn’t ten feet tall as I had imagined him.  Unfortunately, I was not able to get his autograph, and I was surprised how short he actually was. (I learned later that most really good golfers are relatively short – something to do with the physics of swinging the club.}

              The people in charge assigned me to a man who had spent his entire life playing golf as his main line of employment.  As he played the Pre/Am round before the tournament started, he was given a golf cart. He invited me to ride with him as his caddy measured distances and the four amateurs in his group played for various charities.

              Trying to be polite, I asked him what he thought about the game of golf.  He took a deep breath, looked me straight in the eye, and said, “I hate this G—D--- game.”

              I was stunned!  “Why?” I stammered.

              “Golf has cost me two wives,” he continued, “and a close relationship with my children.  When I should have been home being a husband and father, I was on the putting green or driving range, trying to improve my game.”

              I found myself at a real loss for words as he went on, “Golf has paid me a decent living.  I have competed on some magnificent courses – the Masters in August is especially beautiful – but as I look back, I realize I should have spent more time at home.  I see now it was more important to be a dad and enjoy my family than to win at golf.  My third wife is here with me for this tournament.  She will travel with me through this season and then I plan to retire and never pick up a golf club again.”

              Driving home that evening, I grieved for this man.  How very sad.  An entire adult life invested in an occupation, ironically a game that has given him no satisfaction and no enjoyment.

              I have never forgotten this experience, even though I have forgotten the golfer’s name.  Since then I have been more aware of some people – no doubt, you have also – who have invested their entire lives in a career that has given them no joy, no contentment, no sense of fulfillment, no feeling of accomplishment, almost no sense of worth.

              Ever since then, this golfer’s words have been like an “Aha” moment for me.  I do not want to come to the end of my days, regretting how and where I have invested my life.  Logan Pearsall Smith is right.  We do need to work hard to fulfill our dreams, but while we fulfill these hopes and aspirations, we need to take the time to discern that we will be happy with and enjoy the results.