My Fascination with Golf

For many years, I had a strong interest in the game of golf.   While I did not know how to swing a golf club, the game fascinated me and I was eager to learn and play golf.   In the back of my mind, I have always wondered who invented this challenging adventure to strike a little white ball with a stiff shaft and chase it hundreds of yards with the ultimate goal of rolling it into a little hole in the ground.   To minimize the pain, the hole on the green should be considerably larger in size.  To top it off, you do this 18 times around a course that would span over 7,000 yards.   It sounded like total frustration and exhaustion.  It was also described as FUN, engaging, challenging, healthy, good exercise, character building, and developing strong bonds of friendship.   OK, so there are lots of benefits to this frustration? There is probably much more to golf, but we can start with these elements.   There is some credible sense in this because if one could acquire all these benefits and have fun simultaneously, it would be a happy ending.

My professional career took me to Singapore and Hong Kong for over 30 years.   Most unfortunately, golf in Singapore and Hong Kong was a game that eluded me.   It was a game for those with money, status, and lots of time.  Sadly, I had none of the prerequisites.   When I first learned the cost of just joining a golf club in Singapore, before even swinging a golf club, represented at least a year of my salary, the thought of playing golf seemed far removed and out of reach.     When I moved to Hong Kong, it was even more difficult.  There was a long waitlist for a spot and the price was even higher.  So, golf seemed to be a dream that was not to be realized while I was in Asia.

Upon retirement and relocating to Seattle, Washington, the urge to play golf reignited.   Golf was very available, accessible, and affordable throughout America.   Washington State alone has over 400 private and public golf courses.  I had the time, and it was more reasonably priced to join a club and fulfill my dream of chasing the little white ball over 7,000 yards.   Just thinking about this opportunity brought a smile and encouragement to me.

There were several clubs available for consideration within an hour's drive from my home.   After visiting several clubs, I landed on the patio of the clubhouse at Inglewood Golf Club in Kenmore, Washington.   The view was spectacular as I sat looking at the 10th tee box and up its green and wide fairway lined by towering evergreen trees.  The distinct sound of a driver making an impact on the ball and sending it hundreds of yards toward the green was electrifying.  Following the ball’s trajectory as it sailed in the air was thrilling and amazing.  Though I had never held a club in my hand, I could imagine swinging the club and making an impact with the ball.  How invigorating this would be as I asked myself “How can you say no to this?” 

Tell you more in the next article.