Today was a day designed to take Rob and I completely out of our comfort zone. The tournament director was out of the country so I was in charge of running the 150 player US Kids tournament field. Max and Bear were out of the state at the Optimist Tournament of Champions at PGA National, so Rob had to caddy for himself (my efforts at finding him a caddy from the hosting golf club failed). The tournament location was 1 1/2 hours from our home and I had to be there by 6:30am. The high temperature for the day, 50 degrees. Temperature at home when I walked the dogs at 4:15 am, 38 degrees. We rode all the way there in the dark, Rob fortunately sleeping most of the time, as we chased sun rise all the way across town.
It was a good day with no computer problems, no crazy parents (at least none screaming at each other over the scorer’s table) and no complicated rules officiating, although an unfortunate 2 point penalty was called by a dad of the 3rd playing partner on two 11 year old boys – one asked what club the other used for an approach on to the green and the other answered (both contravening Rule 8-1). In a testament to strength of character the answering boy did not let his mind dwell on the penalty and ended his otherwise even round, 2 over with head high and lesson learned.
Rob decided he really liked caddying for himself. Of course he played in a 2 ball with a playing partner, and his mom on the bag, that he has played with often – so it was very friendly territory. But I had a feeling he would enjoy being out there on his own – and he did, and shot just 2 off his personal best which included a quadruple on a par 3 which started with an impressive shank into the woods.
Me : What happened on that par 3 ?
Rob : I don’t know. I was lined up. I took my time. I followed my routine. And then it just shot into the woods.
Oh well. I’m sure he appreciated no-one around to nitpick every bad shot.
A daddy caddy walked in after the round : That was worse than ridiculous. I’ve never quit anything in my life but I came this close to quitting today, just walking off the course and taking him with me.
The player in question has a lot of talent and is a prime candidate for caddying on his own. I hope his dad lets him try it sometime.
They say that outside of your comfort zone is where the magic happens. We both hung out on the periphery of the zone today. Not necessarily magical – except a potentially black type that swept that par 3 shot inexplicably into the deep, dark woods – but I suspect that the magic is more of an evolutionary process. And we’ve got all the time in the world.
