Life Lessons from Golf
I started playing golf when I was a young kid, getting my junior card to play when I was 10. Golf was a great sport for an energetic, competitive kid. Golf taught me respect, etiquette, honesty, and unfortunately bad language. All lessons learned have continued into my later life although I do have a pretty good person-specific filter, for my bad language. Golf also fostered many friendships.
As a player, I had some success in tournaments at the junior golfer, high school and community college levels. In addition, I had distance off the tee, especially for a tall lanky guy. (The lanky is not so much, anymore.) My longest competitive drive was 360 yards…the downhill helped…. back in 1982. I did not win a 1972 Pinto.
One of my best life lessons came during a golf lesson from a pro in Spokane. Bill Welch was a well-known head pro at the Indian Canyon golf course in Spokane. This is a beautiful, highly rated golf course and Bill was a great guy and instructor. (Bill used to play golf in Spokane with Bing Crosby.)
I was taking a lesson from Bill at Indian Canyon, trying to fix some problems in my game. Oddly, I hit the ball pretty well during my lesson. Bill gave me three separate bits of advice. Two were directly related to golf. The other related to golf and life.
Bill shared, when someone gives you advice (this could also be an idea or opinion), let it in and allow it time to bounce around a bit. If you can use it to improve your game (you, your business, help others or the country) keep it, otherwise, let it go. Some great advice! You are remembered, Bill.
My golfing buddy Brad Fisher and I after playing a round at Indian Canyon. Brad passed in 2020 after a courageous fight with brain cancer. He was one of my best friends and I miss the Fish very much.
