The Back Nine
Yesterday was Father’s Day and I was caught up in reminiscing. Time has a way of moving so quickly and catching us unaware of the passing years. It seems just like yesterday that my husband, the “fore father” and our young son were playing golf together. And a few years later, when our son had sons that every Father’s Day they would play golf together. I remember in later years when my husband had shoulder trouble and he couldn’t take the big swing any more. It didn’t matter, because he’d ride out the game with Ryan in the golf cart. Ryan would play the fairways and when he made it to the greens, Ron would place his ball in alignment with Ryan’s. They’d play a dollar a hole. He still had “game” – at least on the greens.
It seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all. I have glimpses of how it was back then. Now, fast forward years later and I witness my son with his sons playing golf. I was there when Bryson took his first golf lesson at age nine. His daddy told the instructor “Just think, someday you’ll be able to say when Bryson is a Pro Golfer, that you were the first one to teach him.” Gotta’ love my boy’s optimism and great expectations.
Speaking in golfing terms, it’s a “reality check” for me. It’s the “back nine” of my life and it has really caught me by surprise. How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go? I remember seeing older people and thinking that those “old folks” (perhaps, in their young fifties) were years away from me and I couldn’t fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like. But now that I’m one of those “old folks”, I’m okay with it. Speaking in golf terms again, I know I’m in the “Back Nine” of life.
Getting to the halfway point in a round of golf has lots of rewards. Often you stop for a snack and beverage to start the final nine holes; take a break and get your strength back. You have the opportunity to assess your front nine and figure out what you were doing well and what needs improvement. Most golfers report scores for the front and back separately as if they’re two different games. Perhaps the front nine was just a good warm-up for the best play!
The back nine is full of anticipation. Perhaps it’s more relaxed, yet more focused. I understand that’s the key to good golf – relaxed and focused at the same time. There isn’t a golf course of any stature that does not have a beautiful hole that approaches the clubhouse. The 18th hole celebration awaits the grand arrival at the finish. I was there at Southern Hills Golf Course in Tulsa when Tiger Woods won the “Open”. It was a mighty celebration and we cheered like he were our son.
The back nine is a grand metaphor, and there are many parallels. Just as in life, the second half may be the best. The opportunity is there to make course corrections, focus on what is important, be more relaxed, celebrate with friends and have fun!
If you’re not on the “back nine” yet…let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. Don’t put things off too long! Do what you can today, as you can never be sure whether you’re on the “back nine” or not! I know when the game is over….it’s over here on earth. But my grandest adventure will begin! In the meantime, I’m in it to win it. I’m not giving up, until I’m taken up. Let’s play our best game this day!