Back in 1956, Harvie Ward and Ken Venturi took on Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. Two amateurs vs. two professionals. Best ball. It was dubbed “The Match.” Great book. Worth the read.
Yesterday, Lil Jeggie and I took on two OSU golf coaches (one current, one former) in our version of the match. Was epic. The three studs played from the tips, while the old dog played the blues. No strokes. No handicaps. Just best ball and see what happens. Squirrel was on my bag. Asher on Lil Jeggie’s. It was some of the most fun I’ve had on a golf course in I don’t know how long. They birdie the first to go one up. We draw even by the third and the lead would go back and forth from there. Neither side ever getting 2 up. It was tight. We were loose.
So much fun to play golf with those much better than you, friend. Raises your game and your joy. This is a truth for life – play ’em as they lie and play the tips (until age 50, and then play the blues – no whites or greens).
We came to the 18th one down. None of us hit the green but we were all around it. Smitty and I were in the back bunker. Dead. Coach Jay was in the right rough and knocked it to five feet for a near certain par. Lil Jeggie was in the rough just ahead of the front green side bunker. He’s got to knock it in for a birdie to tie. So, he does just that. Two hops, a little check, and right down broadway. Was an epic ending. As we reflected over the round and the three of their time together as player and coaches, the laughs kept coming as we lunched together post round. Did. Not. Want. It. To. End. Baggar Vance was right…
Golf is a game that cannot be won, only played.
So, friend, is life. Play more. Play free. Play loose. Play filled with more love than fear. Play for a beer (in our case, a milkshake). Play hard. Play with a smile. Play with worthy foes. Play with close friends. Play to win. Play to the end. When the game is over, remember this – if the game was good – don’t fret, get your calendars out and play it again.
Yes, my friends, we will play it again. Damn.
Live hard. Love ❤️ harder. Much harder…
BUILT TO LEAD 