When you work in golf as a non-golfer/beginner/newcomer to the scene you have opportunities every day for learning. Rules, tournament organization, how to count up a score faster in relation to par, and setting tees. I've learned all that before.
Coming into the current Vermont job I knew I'd learn some new things, but wasn't exactly sure what those enlightening bits would be. Course rating is something I'd like to learn. I've also never had much experience with website creation, so I'm getting that. But no, that's not where my best training has come at all...
I work with an incredible group of over-50-year-olds who have taken me under their wing, accepted the fact that I have no friends my age in the area, and brought me into their worlds. Yesterday at lunch my favorite director/volunteer was on a story typical of all great 77-year-olds I know, referring to a lovely town in New York and helped us visualize with "If you were gonna give the world an enema, that's right where you'd wanna stick the tube." There's a saying to cherish and re-use!
At the Vermont Open, an event with many more young players (pros and amateurs), my boss's wife introduced me to a young guy they knew from our town. After he walked away she said "I wouldn't kick him out." I look at her, puzzled, not recognizing the saying, to which she responded "for eating crackers in bed!" I definitely didn't know that one. Making a note.
The 77-year-old former engineer I mentioned above heard me use the "I wouldn't kick him out" phrase at another tournament and he said "He can put his shoes under my bed" - why are none of these used anymore?!
So let's go back, to a simpler, more respectful time of innocence, posterity, and upstanding citizenry. Back when boys were allowed to leave their shoes under your bed or even bring snacks to your bed and make a mess! Maybe I've been too harsh with guys...
And don't go to Newburgh, New York. Another thing to never forget.
Coming into the current Vermont job I knew I'd learn some new things, but wasn't exactly sure what those enlightening bits would be. Course rating is something I'd like to learn. I've also never had much experience with website creation, so I'm getting that. But no, that's not where my best training has come at all...
I work with an incredible group of over-50-year-olds who have taken me under their wing, accepted the fact that I have no friends my age in the area, and brought me into their worlds. Yesterday at lunch my favorite director/volunteer was on a story typical of all great 77-year-olds I know, referring to a lovely town in New York and helped us visualize with "If you were gonna give the world an enema, that's right where you'd wanna stick the tube." There's a saying to cherish and re-use!
At the Vermont Open, an event with many more young players (pros and amateurs), my boss's wife introduced me to a young guy they knew from our town. After he walked away she said "I wouldn't kick him out." I look at her, puzzled, not recognizing the saying, to which she responded "for eating crackers in bed!" I definitely didn't know that one. Making a note.
The 77-year-old former engineer I mentioned above heard me use the "I wouldn't kick him out" phrase at another tournament and he said "He can put his shoes under my bed" - why are none of these used anymore?!
So let's go back, to a simpler, more respectful time of innocence, posterity, and upstanding citizenry. Back when boys were allowed to leave their shoes under your bed or even bring snacks to your bed and make a mess! Maybe I've been too harsh with guys...
And don't go to Newburgh, New York. Another thing to never forget.
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