Today was one of those days that seems to come up every 6 months or so and only seems to happen to me. Now, keep in mind that I understand how this might make me look but I would just say that at least I have my child alive and I am not willing to give that up for better decision making abilities. Here is what happened...
There is a golf store in Norman that is going out of business and has slashed the prices on all of their clubs. I went in there on Monday and purchased a fairway wood that I thought might help me take my game to the next level. I have been invited to play in the World Series of Golf in Vegas coming up in May and I am trying to reignite my passion for the game. The weather is getting nicer but I haven't had a chance to go play and test out my new weapon so each day I go out into my front yard and swing the club. Yesterday, I saw a stray golf ball in the flower bed and thought about hitting it up the street. Now as I stood there looking up the street and thinking how I could pull this off without hitting anything, like any golfer faced with a big shot, I begin to size up the area.I live in a neighborhood that has streets lined with big houses worth somewhere around 700k and up. My neighbors are doctors, lawyers ect and am feel quite sure NONE of them would give me the green light on this shot. BUT.. as I stand there I really started seeing the shot and as time went on became very comfortable I could pull it off. I went to sleep and thought more about it so when I got home this afternoon, I again reached in the trunk of my car and like Tiger Woods talking to his caddie, I asked for the 7 wood. My wife had taken my son to the eye doctor , I was home with Caytie and it seemed like the perfect time to pull it off. The plan was to hit the ball apx 200 yards up the street and where it intersected with another street, the ball would bounce on the concrete and go over the fence of the big house on the other side of the intersection and land harmlessly in their back yard. I put the ball down in the front yard, told my 6 year old to keep the noise down and I approached the shot. I made sure the streets were clear and I took the club back, everything felt good until I got to the top of my back swing. As I started down, I paniced and thought I need to scale back the shot and only hit it 180 yards in the air. That doubt made me slow my downward swing and as Tiger could tell you, that is going to make you raise up as your club gets to the ball hit it thin! The ball takes off about 5 feet off the ground like a missile out of a cannon! As it reaches the top of the street, a Chevy Yukon rounds the corner and my ball goes slamming into the front of the car making a sound as if someone had been shot at the top of the hill. The car swerved and went towards the neighbors yard and then regained control and headed down the hill where i was standing, 7 wood in hand. As the Yukon reached the end of the street, the window rolled down and the 17 year old son of one of my neighbors poked his head out. I stood there leaning on my new club and he looked at me in shock, neither of us choosing to speak. After about 10 seconds I said, " ah , words can not express how sorry I am for the events that just took place." I could tell you I thinned the shot and if I had stayed down, this would not have happened to you and for that, I am sorry." To my amazement, the kid said," no big deal.Not a problem. " Now, I am smart enough to know that even if it truly isn't a big deal to the 17 year old, it IS going to be a big deal to mom and dad. I followed him to his house and again tried to pay for the damage to his car but with neither of us being in the dent repair business, it was an awkward conversation. I feel like Bobby Brady right after he broke the vase while playing catch in the house and I am trying to throw money at a high school kid that isn't sure what he is suppose to do! After all, I am suppose to be the adult!! I return home and as I am walking back to the house, my wife pulls up and asks what is going on, I simply respond, " well, there was an incident." After I regroup, I decide to go up to the place I would go to get my car fixed if some jackass hit a golf ball down the street and damaged my car. As I pulled up to the dent repair place, I look over and guess who is there getting an estimate on his car? None other than my 17 year old victim. Mom and dad apparently thought it was a bigger deal and told him to get an estimate. I got out and paid for the dent, a car detail and offered him some new rims. He declined and settled for the detail and repair. I consider the matter closed and hope we both have a better Thursday.
I am having a tough run in hoops but am confident it will turn. I am still up on the season and am very excited about the tournaments next week. Have a good week.
