Life, Golf and the Pursuit of "it"
Golf has always mirrored life — a cliché, sure, but one that feels truer the longer I play. There are highs and lows, good breaks and bad. I’ve been around the game my whole life, but never played as consistently as I wanted. My priorities always strayed elsewhere. I'd start a season here on the east coast with the goal of golfing every weekend and planning a golf trip, knowing the ultimate joy the game brought me. Those goals would slowly unravel until a pinnacle moment that forced them to a hard stop.
Just over a year ago, my mother passed after a long and grueling battle with early onset Alzheimer’s. She was the light of our life. A large roaring fire that's glow reached its way into all of our lives and reminded us to stay calm and work hard. Even as she dwindled into a version of herself we barley recognized, a small pilot light remained, slowly stoked by her physical presence. When she passed it was hard not to feel like that seemingly eternal flame passed with her. I stepped away from life for a couple weeks. Even when I returned physically, I wasn’t there mentally - at work, with friends, in general. I wasn’t golfing for a bit either. Golf just felt pointless and hollow.
But then, during my first round of the season, I found it again. I found the joy that simply being outside with 3 friends can bring. The same joy the sunlight brought my mother who, even towards the end, would still force a smile when the sun hit her just right. It didn’t matter that my ball seemed to find every rough, bunker and body of water. Sunlight and laughs. Club throws and missed putts. Somewhere in that round, I found a little peace. I remembered why I love this game.
And maybe more importantly, I remembered how healing just being present can be. It reignited the flame for me. I know my purpose now is to carry that flame like an olympic torch and share it with whoever's path I cross.
As we launch our brand, Fringe Golf, I want to also announce that a portion of all proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Association. If you or someone you love has been affected by this illusive disease, you’re not alone. Let’s keep raising awareness, funding research, and fighting for a cure. 💜 #ENDALZ #AlzheimersAwareness #WalkToEndAlzheimers