Don't Give Up, Don't Ever Give Up!

I have had several people encourage me to quit writing about golf and life but I can't! You see I have never given up during a game of golf so I'm thinking why should I give up on writing my blog about golf and life. No matter how bad I've played over the 30 plus years (and I can play as bad as anyone), I have never walked off the golf course.

As I stand on the 7th tee I'm thinking about how important it is to never give up and my mind drifts back to 1993, the ESPYs and a basketball coach by the name of Jim Valvano. If you have even the slightest interest in sports you know who Jimmy V is! I don't know that I've ever felt more inspired in my life than when I saw this live back in 93. Most everyone knows the story so I won't bore you with the details. The video pretty much speaks for itself. Even if you've seen it before I promise you it's worth 10 minutes of your time to view it again...


If that doesn't move you nothing will. It's interesting I didn't start writing this blog today thinking I was going to share the Jimmy V speech but I'm so glad I did. After watching it myself I feel a little shallow writing about golf and life but I do believe there are such great life lessons in the game of golf.

How many times have you just felt like throwing your clubs in the lake and walking away from the game? With thirty plus years invested in the game there have been plenty of times like that for me. It's been the same for me in life. I have had embarrassing moments in business and my personal life where I felt like I didn't want to show up the next day. I'm certain I'm not the only one who has had these experiences. Next time this happens to you, view the Jimmy V. speech and I promise you will be moved to take positive action.

Speaking of taking action the 7th hole is a 172 yard par 3 over water to a green that is the size of a postage stamp. I'm thinking the guy who designed this hole was smokin something when he thought up this hole. Standing over the ball I can't help but think how important it is to avoid the traps. I actually say a little prayer to the golf gods -- "Please don't let my ball go in the water." I make pretty solid contact with the little white sphere and it hits the lip of the bunker on the right side and settles in in the middle of the beach - dry as a bone! After a mediocre bunker shot I two putt for bogie - Now I'm back to three over headed to the #1 handicap 8th hole. As I exit the green I find myself repeating the now famous words of Jimmy V - "Don't give up, don't ever give up!"