11/05/24
January 30, 2008
First Day of Term: Despite the hour, the temperature was already into the mid-twenties. Despite the temperature, I was shivering. It wasn’t nerves; it was terror.
Nine years and a day after it happened, JJ looks back at his first round as a professional golfer.
Brilliant. Thanks.
posted by 86 at 07:38 AM on January 30, 2008
That was good. Thanks JJ.
posted by apoch at 07:53 AM on January 30, 2008
I love stuff like this. Thanks.
posted by jmd82 at 08:26 AM on January 30, 2008
It’s not polite to throw up in other people’s pools. I have to say that the story is great and the writing is even better. Thanks, JJ.
posted by hawkguy at 09:00 AM on January 30, 2008
As a high school and college golfer, this story brings back memories. In one of my first matches, the wind was blowing about 30 mph. The first hole was straight into the wind and our coach stressed to everyone to be careful and keep it low. I was number two that day, so our number one teed off first. Sure enough, he got under it too much, it flew straight up and then started to curl back. It looked like a frisbee thrown into the wind and it dropped about 60 feet BEHIND the tee. Everyone on both teams , the coaches, and the customers waiting to tee off after us, started laughing their asses off. Instead of a 440 yard par four, he just turned it into a 460 yard par three. Needless to say, he was so flustered that he shot a 52 for nine when he normally shot 36 or 37. Golf is a great game...except when played into a 30mph headwind.
posted by Shotput at 10:11 AM on January 30, 2008
Great Read, Thank You.
posted by thatch at 10:16 AM on January 30, 2008
Turning professional at golf is a bit like starting a fight in a bar; if you’re not careful, you can do it by accident. I'm sure that your writing is no accident, JJ. This was a very professionally done piece, and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Thanks.
posted by Howard_T at 10:20 AM on January 30, 2008
Good memories to have, I'm sure. Thanks for sharing.
posted by tselson at 02:08 PM on January 30, 2008
Thanks for the comments, guys. Some of the memories are good. Most of them are great.
posted by JJ at 02:13 PM on January 30, 2008
Terrific piece, JJ.
posted by owlhouse at 03:40 PM on January 30, 2008
Great story, very well told. Thank you, JJ.
posted by qbert72 at 07:57 PM on January 30, 2008
It’s not polite to throw up in other people’s pools. Damn. Now you tell me. Seriously though, great piece of writing, JJ. Thanks for the insights.
posted by cjets at 09:09 PM on January 30, 2008
Brilliant JJ. I also had a look at your website re: the ultimate olympian and found the fine writing to not be a quirk. You seem to be at once a fine writer, athlete and drinker... my kind of hat trick!
posted by bobfoot at 10:46 PM on January 30, 2008
Best. Column. Evaaaaarrrrrr. Even better than Fraziers' "Hoser's Pick 'em Week 7 2006". Thanks, JJ.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:25 AM on January 31, 2008
spare a thought for the new guys teeing off with only their hopes for company in the morning fog that sometimes threatens not to lift. Beauty. Thanks for the column.