Watching The Golf Channel’s original movie presenting the
life and career of Arnold Palmer had me riveted. I was not around in the middle
and late fifties as Arnie caught the attention of everyone. Nor did I witness
the birth of Arnie’s Army. I was amazed at his ability to transcend the sport
and “rule” over many aspects of the modern-day sports figure and celebrity:
televised sports, fan base, owning and flying a private jet, IMG partnership,
golf course design and infrastructure support, endorsements, The Golf Channel,
Arnold Palmer Hospital and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. I
smiled when I saw the picture of him with Olympic champion-turned Hollywood
movie icon Esther Williams and then Supermodel Kate Upton. Little does Mr.
Palmer know that he caught the attention of another “covergirl” twenty-two
years ago.
It was 1992 and the seniors were
playing at Saucon Valley Country Club’s Old Course in Bethlethem, PA. It was
July and I had completed my first year teaching physics at Delaware Valley
Regional High School in Frenchtown, NJ.
A
friend of mine had dropped by to chat on his way over to the Senior Open. He
happened to be a sports editor of a local and at the time largest weekly
newspaper in NJ. “What’s the
Senior Open?” I asked.
He
proceeded to explain that it was a golf championship put on by the United
States Golf Association. In this case, men of a certain age (50-years plus) and
skill level were competing for our national championship.
It
sounded interesting to me. I enjoyed
sports but growing up on a farm left little time for after-school activities.
Actually, no time for sports, organized or otherwise, were part of my
upbringing. In my own mind, I lettered in manure shoveling and hay baling. But
still, the Senior Open sounded pretty exciting and the event was being held in
my own back yard.
“Name
three professional golfers and you can come with me,” he said.
Now
I was in trouble. I sat down on
the couch and thought a bit before I answered. This was an all-or-nothing type
deal. I closed my eyes and thought hard.
“Arnold
Palmer,” was my first answer. I paused, still thinking, trying to remember news
stories about golf earlier in the year. Some of my students were on the golf
team and would talk about it. I know that I asked them who their favorite
golfers were just like you would ask about a favorite color. Think, Lydia,
think!
“Okay,
Arnold Palmer,” I started again.
“You
already said him,” he interrupted, ”you are running out of time.”
And
then I remembered, they were talking about the U.S. Open earlier this year at
Pebble Beach, who won? What was his name? It was near the end of the school
year and some teachers had it on in their rooms. Got it!
“Tom
Kite!” I declared.
“Name
one more,” he said,” and I need to get going soon just a couple more minutes.”
I
was blank. I kept going back to my students talking about it at school. And I
had seen bits and pieces on television. Just one name. I just needed one name.
“I
will give you a hint.” he offered,” Think about good ole St. Nick.”
Sounded
familiar. Writing this now is so funny because I could name golfers male and
female in bunches. But back then, I did not golf myself and did not follow the
sport.
“Nicklaus?”
I said thinking it sounded something like that.
“What
is his first name?” he challenged.
I
really did not know. As I sit here typing this story it seems impossible, but
truthfully I did not know Jack Nicklaus’ first name.
I
did get to go to the Open championship that day. And I got to see a lot of
golf. But the biggest thrill for me was following Mr. Palmer. It was so cool how he played. He really
cared and tried and played with heart and gusto.
Near
the end of my day there.… a huge crowd was following him… I cannot tell you who
his fellow-competitor was. But I can tell you, that when I perched myself up on
a large rock and waved madly at him, Mr. Palmer pointed at me, smiled and
waved.
And
I was hooked! That was it. It was all it took. My friend (now husband) and I watched that “other golfer” -
Jack Nicklaus - on our way out. He proceeded to hit both flagsticks on the last
two holes we watched. Pretty cool.
But
what stuck in my memory, even as I write 22 years later?
Arnold
Palmer pointed, smiled and waved back at me that day.
Thank
you, Mr. Palmer. You hooked me on
a sport for life and ten years later I would be lucky enough to land the cover
of the United States Golf Association’s 2002-2003 edition of The Rules of Golf.
I am the unidentified female golfer perched above a bunker looking at a ball
with a horrible lie.
The
excitement of that day at Saucon Valley, along with plenty of help from my
husband, spurred me into a golf career. Becoming aware of the game in the early 1990s
while teaching physics in high school, I later became a serious player, started the first high school varsity girls’ golf team program in Hunterdon County, NJ, continued coaching for seven record-breaking seasons (the final two, winning the NJSIAA TOC state
championship) along with creating and directing a Girls Go Golfing junior program for girls ages six to 18.
I
also traveled to Lithuania (I am a dual citizen) in 2004 and played in their
National Championship (though the country was in the rudimentary stages of the
sport). I won the event (beating all the men as well), but more importantly put
on golf clinics at the country’s only(in 2004) golf course.
Later that year I represented Lithuania in the World Amateur
Team Golf Championship in Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, I became ill early that
week, could barely walk and failed to play the final two rounds. And to this
day am still battling a mysterious disease that has significantly limited my
play.
However,
I continued to support the sport and ran a Girls Go Golfing program in New
Jersey for four years until my illness forced me to step down.
I still blog occasionally (www.girlsgogolfing.blogspot.com)
and remained a volunteer albeit electronic mentor/coach to the high school girls golf team
through the 2014 season.
I am the lone female member of the New Jersey State
Interscholastic Athletic Association’s Golf Committee (tenure 2008 -2018.) My
husband and I direct the NJSIAA’s north sectional qualifying tournament forhigh school girls golf teams at Stanton Ridge golf and country club in Whitehouse, NJ.
I am a member of the French Creek Golf Club in Elverson,
Pennsylvania the layout designed by Gil Hanse in 2004. Of course, Hanse is now linked
to building the 2016 Olympic Course in Argentina.
I
am determined to learn how to manage the latest iteration of my illness
(systemic exertion intolerance disease) and soon return to full time supporting
the sport, especially for girls and young women.
Thank
you Mr. Palmer!
