It's just beautiful, is it not? A true and honsest statement by a man who was the perfect example of both those words. It's hasn't been a a couple months yet but I still miss him. Strange? Maybe so, but the truth. I know he was growing old and his time was in. He lived a charmed life, worked hard, played harder and made a huge impact in peoples lives, for thousands upon thousands of people, golfers and non-golfers alike. I can't really get over it, what he did in his long life on and off the golf course. The reverence is unmatched actually and totally deserved.
His statement rings true and it's why I love the game like I do. There is no game in the world like it, enabling people to play over several generations together, being able to compete against others that are many many years younger or older. Golf is that way. It's fair. It's hard. But, nothing is so rewarding in the sense of self achievemnet when one competes against onesself or others and coming out on top. Watching the last PGA tournament this past weekend, it rang true again, Rod Pampling won in Vegas, beating guys half his age and doing it with solid ball striking and last round flat stick magic. I think he one putted the last 7 holes, draining a 30 foot bird to clinch his first victory in 10 years. His jounrey to the winners circle this time was long and hard. Coming back from The Web.com tour and fighting his way to it. Very motivating and something I keep in the back of my own mind and soul... Anything is possible. If you have the desire and ability - anything is possible. Anything.
Stories like Rod Pampling's are the reason I don't give up or give in - keeping the dream alive by watching and feeling it deep down inside the golfing soul - thank goodness for modern day tv and the chance it gives us to see things just like his victory and in some ways his redemption for all the years of hard work. He never gave up on himself and beleived in his ability to do it and he did. Super cool and a beaken of light for all us old farts that still have dreams of playing against the odds and winning....
Great played Rod Pampling!!!
