|
|
Posted by readygolfer in Untagged
|
|
I've had lots of great times on the golf course with my family and friends, but one of my favorite golf moments occurred while I was in Salt Lake City on a business trip about 10 years ago. Before a flight home I decided to play 18 at Wingpointe Golf Course, which is an outstanding links layout on the grounds of the SLC airport. From some of the holes you can see the passengers in the planes waving as they take off and land.
It was a beautiful morning. I had a great warm-up on the range and expected to post a good score, but I started bogey, bogey, double bogey. I wasn't rushing. I had plenty of time before my flight and the course was wide open. After a couple of pars I got back on the bogey train and stumbled my way to a front side 44. I was steamed and considered quitting. I would have rather sat in the airport terminal and finished my sales reports than played like that.
But I decided not to quit. As I stood on the tenth tee and looked back at the inspiring mountains that frame Salt Lake City I took some deep breaths. One of my playing partners shared a funny joke and another encouraged us to "relax and have some fun." I told myself to forget about the scorecard and be grateful for the bright blue sky and the company of my foursome.
After three solid pars I made a 30-foot putt for a birdie on the 13th hole. After another par I made three birdies in a row. Somehow I had slipped into "the zone". On the final hole I made an up-and-down for a par that gave me a 32 for the back side, the best nine-hole score of my unheralded golf career. By the time I finished it seemed so easy and effortless. Go figure. I felt defeated and was ready to walk off after the front nine. I'll admit to doing that a few times when I played poorly. I'm glad I didn't that day. Just by turning my attention away from my score, I "stayed in the game" and shot one of my most satisfying rounds ever.
