| The game of golf, as we know it, was developed in Scotland
in the early 1700's. Since its humble beginnings, the game
has exploded in popularity around the world. From its legendary
stars like Slammin' Sammy Snead to the current crop of rising
young stars on the PGA and LPGA tours, the game has been played
many ways.
Then, there is {First Name or Nickname} {Last Name}'s way!
{First Name or Nickname}, along with {Friend(s)}, often
tees it up on their favorite golf course, {Favorite Golf Course}.
When this happens, the only thing safe from their golf shots
is the middle of the fairway. Worms, trees, ducks, fish, and
birds are in mortal danger!
Rumors to the contrary, {First Name or Nickname} is no cheapskate.
{First Name or Nickname} may be a bit frugal when it comes
to less important issues like retirement planning, dental
work and back-taxes, but not when it comes to golf equipment.
{First Name or Nickname} learned long ago that golf is a
game you play to win. After all, there's usually a wager or
two at stake.
Over the years, {First Name or Nickname} has learned to
hold her breath on her backswing, play the ball where it lies,
and never worry about a little water.
Golf is not the most important thing in {First Name or Nickname}'s
life. She knows how to set priorities and how to put things
into perspective. It is not true that {First Name or Nickname}
once played an entire round of golf in a tornado.
She played 17 holes, and then her golf clubs blew away!
A perfect game happens when every drive is down the middle
of the fairway, every green is hit in regulation, and every
putt is knocked into the center of the cup.
Some golfers even aspire to the ultimate accomplishment:
shooting one's age. {First Name or Nickname} has no trouble
shooting {Age}. The problem is that she does it on the first
few holes.
Most "good" golfers have a collection of shots
for every occasion. These include a fade, a draw, a bank shot,
and a bunker shot.
{First Name or Nickname} also has a collection of golf shots,
including the worm burner, the skull, and the pop-fly. Her
best shot is called "Ooops, that's a mulligan,"
so named by {Friend(s)}.
Years ago, a golf handicap system was invented. This system
was designed to let golfers of different skills and abilities
play against one another on an equal basis. The idea is to
take the best 10 rounds of a golfer's last 20 rounds and use
these to determine one's handicap.
The system has one major flaw for {First Name or Nickname}:
she has never played 10 rounds of golf that were worth counting.
One of the reasons {First Name or Nickname} plays golf is
for the exercise it provides. Other activities were just not
right for {First Name or Nickname}. She tried swimming, but
she kept sinking to the bottom. She tried tennis, but the
net kept getting in the way. Jumping to conclusions was fine,
but it tired her out.
Golf provides exactly the right amount of exercise for a
finely tuned athletic body like {First Name or Nickname}'s.
After most rounds of golf, {First Name or Nickname} usually
joins {Friend(s)} for a visit to the 19th hole. This provides
them with a chance to rehash the shots of the day, settle
the wagers, and plan their next outing.
The scene is usually the same. {First Name or Nickname}
delays in the pro shop until the drinks are bought. Then,
she rehashes all of her unlucky bounces, pays off her debts,
and leaves just before it is her turn to buy.
Despite her apparent lack of skill, {First Name or Nickname}
still manages to hit the occasional good golf shot. There
is still talk about the birdie {First Name or Nickname} got
last year, when she miraculously hit her shot out of a deep
bunker and right into the hole."
{First Name or Nickname} {Last Name} and her partners play
golf for the love of the game. For them, it's an outing, a
chance to get close to nature, and a way to relieve tension.
{First Name or Nickname} once said, "Every time I hit
the golfball, my stress level goes down."
Otherwise, why would he hit so many shots?
{First Name or Nickname} has always dreamed about writing
her own golf book. Some of the titles she has considered include:
{First Name or Nickname}'s Tips on Lining up Your 4th Putt
Golf and Divorce: Do It {First Name or Nickname}'s Way
The 19th Hole: How {First Name or Nickname} Never Buys
Despite suffering through years and years of frustration
playing golf her way, {First Name or Nickname} has always
remained a good sport. Her demeanor is beyond reproach, she
never loses control, and her voice is never loud enough for
anyone over a mile away to hear.
This, together with the fact that {First Name or Nickname}
always pays off her losing bets, makes her the perfect partner.
The game of golf is certainly a challenge to {First Name
or Nickname} {Last Name}. Many friends, including {Friend(s)},
ask why she even plays the game. The reason is simple: {First
Name or Nickname} enjoys watching miraculous events such as
a long putt dropping in or an iron shot finding its way into
the hole.
{First Name or Nickname} would enjoy it even more if she
were the person hitting these shots.
Dear {First Name or Nickname}:
Enjoy the game as you play it. Don't let your scores ruin
your day. Think of golf the same way you think about bowling:
a higher score means a better game.
{Dedication}
{Book From}
{Date of Gift} |