Golf & Life, Rough Roads Are Just Par For The Course
Life and golf are both intertwined with joy, passion, sorrow, heart break, tragedy and triumph. My personal journey over the past year has had a little of each and today is a day of sorrow. We are given a precious gift from above that so often is taken for granted as we wrap ourselves in our own tiny window of activity on this earth. We feel as if we can control it all, if given enough time at the puppeteers strings to orchestrate outcomes as we see fit and manipulate outcomes.
In golf this is so true as well. I had the pleasure of talking with Dr. Bob Rotella a few weeks ago at his home. He made so many great points but the one that stuck with me was being “Unconsciously Competent”, meaning just let go and get out of your won way. We often hear about great players being in the Zone…you might be able to manipulate a swing from time to time but to play like a champion you have to get to place that you can just let go.
Last June, as I was in the midst of my personal pity party after being laid off in banking, I became totally immersed in “my” issues. Then came the reality wake up call that kicked me out of self and into the rest of the world. It was a literal wake up call.
As I sat at the pool with my kids swimming and having a great summer day, my phone rang. On the other end was someone in need of help. My daughter’s classmate in the first grade had a dad with late stage lung cancer and they were looking for donations to help the family and move his Mom here to the US from overseas. He is a single dad and the road map was clear, he had a limited time to get his plans in place to care for his children.
I was unable to help on the surface because who knew when I would find employment again in banking, after all its not the sexy job it used to be and there were thousands just like me looking for a job. I thought it was okay to say I couldn’t help and they certainly understood. As I sat poolside watching my kids splash about I began to feel like the world’s biggest heal for saying no. I quickly hit redial and said I would come up with something.
I decided since I had plenty of time I would take on a challenge to go out on Father’s Day and play golf from sun up to sun down in honor of this man and challenge others to support me. I figured if I could raise $500 it would at least be enough for a plane ticket. What happened over the next 10 days changed countless lives. I raised $8,000 over my 72 hole journey but this was just the beginning…….
I was put in contact with Jon Albert, founder of the Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Foundation. His foundation provides Mom’s & Dad’s with late stage terminal cancer with a WOW! Experience trip for the children and the parents to take a break from the rituals of the daily battle with cancer.
Long story short, I started a company to run golf events to raise funds for their foundation and others to help make a difference. What was a selfless act to help a man in need turned into a mission to help others in their Back 9 of life. One doesn’t do this to become wealthy but what I have experienced this past year is the richest experiences of my life.
I had not met the man I helped until the last week of the school year when I was picking my kids up. He was in front of me and I heard him say his name. I couldn’t believe it, here he was walking with a cane and looking tired but had a smile that was contagious. I introduced myself and was given the biggest hug and kiss on the cheek I had ever received. We stood in the hallway tears running down our faces and talked for what seemed like hours.
He was thanking me over and over but I had to stop him and tell him what he had done. His plight was irreversible but his legacy will go on for a long time. His need turned into a blessing for others. To date we have raised just over $175,000 and will continue to grow. He stood proud and humbled and for me it was a confirmation that I was on the right road.
We all struggle to understand “Why” does a single dad with two young boys have to be taken away. We talked about this and I assured him God has a plan and his misfortune has turned into a huge blessing for others in the same situation. He was thrilled to hear what has taken place and that he was the catalyst for it all.
Today, as I was doing an interview with ESPN 950 in Richmond Virginia, promoting the next FORE! Jack & Jill event and I received an email that he had passed away. It was a surreal moment. Me on the air ways encouraging people to become a part of what we are doing and his passing seemed to make it all okay.
As a husband, father and business owner I have great days and stressful days but knowing the mission I am on is just like the many twists and turns of life. Love hard, work hard, play hard and just let go because you never know what or who you will touch in ways that will alter their path and change lives.
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Tags: back 9 promotions, Cancer, Late Stage Cancer
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