Josh, Mike, Richard, and myself at an Outing
One of my goals in retirement was to work part time at a golf course. I envisioned working the pro shop a few days a week and enjoying free golf as one of the benefits. Happily, that goal became reality in March when I began working at a local course I have enjoyed playing for the past six years.
And, for thirty-five years I have played the game I have enjoyed getting together with friends to play in golf outings. For those not familiar with the game, many nonprofit organizations hold golf outings to raise funds for their worthy work in the community. Golfers pay an entry fee to pay for the golfing, with some left over for the organization. Prizes are awards for the top finishing teams.
Sadly, there are people who see these outings as a means to win prizes and bragging rights, with no regard for the charitable aspects of the outing. And to ensure they do both, they cheat. At one such outing last year, my team and I watched the team in front of us flail away all day, rarely hitting a good shot. Then, miraculously, they turned in a scorecard of 58, fourteen under par. At another outing a few years ago, we watched the team behind us methodically cheat on every hole. They too turned in a low score well beyond their abilities.
Aside from the fact that these cheaters are using a charitable event to steal prizes they do not earn, they are showing a complete disregard for the game itself. Unlike any other sport, golf is a game where the rules are enforced by the players. There are no referees following along to call penalties. The players are expected to know the rules and abide by them. In other sports, players work hard to circumvent the rules without getting caught. In golf, such a thing is not even considered. The principle is very basic, you play the game honestly and accept the outcome with grace.
This is one of the reasons my sports watching has been reduced to golf only. My tolerance for the ‘look-at-me’ attitudes of professional athletes has worn out. The multi-million dollar contracts for average players is also a turn off. Instead, I watch a game where the players get paid according to their performance that week. Miss the cut, you do not get paid. It is a great system for sports because it reflects how things should work in life.
That is until recently. You may have heard about the new LIV Golf Tour that has started this year. In short, it is a series of events limited to fifty players, most of whom received guaranteed money just to show up. Regardless of how they play, they receive million of dollars just to be there. Several prominent players from around the world have joined this new tour. Many say they are thinking of their family’s future. Really? These players net worth is measured in millions. Adding a few more zeroes isn’t about taking care of their families, it is about amassing more wealth. More prestige. More fame.
Thankfully, most professional golfers are sticking with the PGA and European tours. They value the game itself, the competition, and what the existing tours have done for them more than a larger bank account.
With all that is going on in the world, talking about golf may seem a bit ridiculous. The myriad of tragedies, conflicts, and violence in the world are for more important than a game. And that is true. But I do think there is a good lesson here. If we live our lives like the game of golf is to be played, just maybe things would not be so bad. What if we went about our days evaluating our actions and ‘calling a penalty’ on ourselves when we violated the rules of honesty and integrity? In other words, we always own up to our mistakes and accept the consequences. And what if we desired no more than what we have earned? No more trying to grab all you can get away with, but rather do an honest day’s work and be thankful for the result.
There is another aspect of the game of golf that can be an important insight to how we should live our lives. You can see it on all the professional tours and usually at the local course. While golfers are competing against each other, they are at the same time respectful and supportive. Should a player on tour make a hole-in-one, those in his group will congratulate him or her just as much as friends would during a casual round on a weekend. And players watch to not do anything that would interfere with the play of their opponents but strive to compete honestly so the outcome is one of fair competition.
Do I think we can right all the wrongs of the world by living life like playing golf? Of course not. But it is something to think about and perhaps reflect on. Especially when we stop to realize that there are people all over the world who are living there lives just like an honest golfer plays. With honesty, integrity, and respect. When your life on this earth is over, will you turn in an honest scorecard?
1 Chronicles 29:17
I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
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