Great Opportunities, Lifetime Friendships
“Golf can best be defined as an endless series of tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle.” – Author Unknown
Many people like to make acronyms to give meaning to words that are important to them. I was once told that GOLF stands for Great Opportunities, Lifetime Friendships. This has stuck with me for years and I believe that this is the truest definition of the game.
Golf is more than just a game. It provides its’ players with the opportunity to forget their lives for a brief moment in time. As frustrating as it can be at times, several people head to the links to relax and enjoy themselves. Myself included, when I’m on the course I tend to forget about most everything that is going on in my life at that particular time. I get to focus on being on a beautifully manicured course, enjoying the outdoors and the peace and tranquility that it provides. Things seem to slow down while at a golf course. You don’t have the hustle and bustle of cars racing by, the noises you hear through the buildings downtown. There are no references of time…unless you’re checking your watch or phone. It’s just you and the course!
Any time you play you typically arrange to play with good friends or family. You enjoy the company you are with. It isn’t to often that someone would make a tee time to play with someone they don’t like. Even if you are paired with other groups by the course, you will typically enjoy the company you are with. You are all there for a common purpose, to play golf. When being paired up there is always the awkwardness of playing with others you don’t know, wondering what they think of your golf game. But after a hole or two, everyone has relaxed and you have a great time.
Golf is a sport, a game, a pastime, and hobby. But it is also a part of all of our lives. If you have played golf at all, I will promise that you have at least one great memory that involves the game. It could be a great round you played, a particular shot, a golf course, or just the group you played with. Whatever those memories are for you, they likely are good, positive reflections of your past. It all adds up to us being a part of something greater, a game that we love and will continue to play and make more great memories.