Golf Fore the Good

Next week at this time I’ll just be finishing up eighteen holes at Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club. After a solid month of suffering freezing temperatures, I’m off to Florida for a family event. I didn’t plan it this way, it just happened… really.

Just about a year ago the family voted to celebrate our father’s 90th birthday in sunny St. Pete - as opposed to congregating on the frozen shores of Cape Cod in February - and majority rules, right? My original thought was a great escape, the husband, the dog and myself on a road trip, golfing here and there for a few weeks, stopping in for the party, then meandering home. One thing and another, and that idea fell by the wayside a while back; the best laid plans and all, as they say.

I then proceeded to book my flight, disappointed as I was that I would be traveling alone. My husband cleverly pointed out that if I extended my stay on either end by a day, not only would I avoid the weekend rush, but the fares were less expensive. A great idea, I thought. Just like that my quick weekend away for a birthday party turned into six glorious days someplace warm.

Eight out of of nine of my siblings will attend my father’s event. I am acutely aware of how lucky we are to be able to celebrate this milestone with him and my mother, both in good health. But as nice as it will be to see all those siblings, and as enjoyable as the party will be, my extended schedule has created a gap in time where, low and behold, my brother (my only brother who plays golf) and I will be the only two in attendance…imagine that! Whatever will we do with our time?

So I find myself facing not just a special family event, alone, but the prospect of a few really great days on the golf course, as well. I am feeling horribly wracked with guilt about leaving home, in the frozen wasteland, both my husband and my dog (does it show?). I can hardly bring myself to start packing or to dig through the garage to unearth my travel cover for my golf clubs.

Oh, yes, that’s right, my travel cover… the one I bought years ago and haven’t seen since. Not that is hasn’t been put to good use, loaned out a few times and, lest I forget to mention, for not one, but two trips to Ireland by my husband with his merry band of golfing buddies. That’s right, two trips to that golfing Mecca for him and I’ve yet to view those forty shades of green myself. Come to think of it, now is the perfect time to start packing.