The Father’s Day ads are starting to take a toll on me. Regrettably, I was all about baseball as a kid, fortunate enough to play into college. I was also a late baby, my parents were in their 40’s, and I guess couldn’t wait to be grandparents, so they started over.
My dad passed when I was 22. From what I understand, he was a darn good golfer who was near scratch. He was also a hard working, self employed man who didn’t spare himself much free time. And probably the biggest issue, for those few times I grabbed a club as a teen, it was left handed.
My dad saw me swing his clubs, and while they were opposite from how I batted, it didn’t feel totally foreign. His only advice, which I still cherish, “let the club do the work”.
I was a dumb kid at the time, but John Lennon described it best: “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans”. At 22, my baseball career was over, and my dad had just retired; I thought I’d have plenty of time to tee it up and learn the game from my dad. Sadly, it never happened.
I miss my dad for so many things more important than golf. But I’d love to learn more of those life lessons from him during a round on the course. Sons, daughters, mothers, fathers and everyone else, don’t share my regrets. Make your tee time for today.
Love you Dad!