Another Lesson From The Golf Course
The most rewarding wins in life sometimes come when you least expect them. When the pressure is off and you simply focus on having fun and doing your best, amazing things can happen.
"When in doubt, throw doubt out and have faith."
- E.A. Bucchianeri
Yesterday, I found myself on the first tee box at Three Lakes Golf Course, getting ready to play in the semi-final match for the 2024 Ladies Club Championship.
Let me set the stage for this match-up:
I am 72 years old, and my opponent is 44. She is not only younger than I am, she has a handicap of 10, which is way lower than mine (21 now). For you non-golfers who have no clue what those handicap numbers mean, it means she consistently posts scores about 11 strokes lower than I do.
I was a pretty good golfer in my younger years. I'm still decent for my age and considering my back issues. Honestly, I'm just happy to still be able to golf. There was a time when I had doubts that I'd ever golf again. I was prepared to start studying to become a rules official so I could travel around to different events, riding around in a cart and telling people what to do when they were in a situation where they didn't know what to do to stay within the rules.
Anyway, back to the match at hand. Winning wasn't even on my mind. I just wanted to go out to have fun and give my opponent a good match. I went out to do my best and leave the rest up to the golf gods.
The pressure wasn’t on me. After all, everyone expected her to win. Well, everyone except my caddie, Maria. Maria looked at me before we even teed off and said, “Carol, you can totally beat her.” I looked at her skeptically and thanked her for the vote of confidence.What unfolded over the next 18 holes was nothing short of astonishing.
Hole by hole, we went back and forth. Every time I won a hole, she’d come right back and win the next one. By the time we reached the 17th hole, I was 1 up with 2 holes to play. I knew the match was over if I could win the 17th hole. I got an awesome drive, then made a great second shot. I left my third shot short of the green. Based on what Katie was doing, I knew if I could get my ball close to the hole and 1 putt, I would win. And that’s precisely what happened. The final score? 2 up, 1 to go.
I bought the beer!The Takeaway?
The most rewarding wins in life sometimes come when you least expect them. When the pressure is off and you simply focus on having fun and doing your best, amazing things can happen. Even if the odds are stacked against you, sometimes all you need is one person’s belief in you... and a little faith in yourself.
* Image created in ChatGPTCarol Williams
"Information is FREE.
Knowledge, Experience & Integrity Are Priceless."
- Carol Williams
Retired: Real Estate Broker/Owner, Property Manager
Coaching, goal setting, and marketing consultant
Active: Golf & Travel Blogger
"Golf isn't a sport. It's a lifestyle."
SeniorWomenGolfers.com
TopTeamCarol@gmail.com
Whatever You're Doing, Make It Fun!
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