Well it’s been 10 years since I was asked to write a letter for AVIDGOLFER. I’m impressed that it’s taken 10 years for Craig to miss another deadline and come calling for help!
I received a phone call from Craig saying I had an opportunity to write once again and I must do it within four hours. Four hours! Thanks for the advanced notice, kiddo.
Craig often likes to write about me, but most of the time it is not very flattering. I figured I could give you an overview of what has transpired in my life in the last 10 years. In reality, not a whole hell of a lot, but I have 750 words to write, and this paragraph just ate up 60 of them!
I have been a dentist in Baltimore for over 45 years. I sold my practice and now work for others. At my original office, my staff was up to 24 at one time and with limited administration experience I hired consultants for some sort of direction. I now work part-time at two different offices, and would like to offer experienced advice. Unfortunately, I don’t think I would be taken seriously; just musings from a 72-year-old man.
My part-time work allows me to still play a lot of golf. I am always tempted to buy the next great product, but even on the pro tour, I don’t see scores coming down dramatically with new technology.
I recently saw a video of my swing and picked out some glaring flaws, which I corrected. I can honestly say I am playing better than ever, not with new equipment but with a more improved swing. I was a 16 then and remain a 16, 10 years later. Hmmm, I guess I am not really playing better than ever.
I am most proud of my grandkids. All four are different and all into different stuff. And they all think I’m nuts. I try to give them subtle and not so subtle lessons in life through comedy. Does it ever sink in? Nah. But maybe one day it will and they will realize that their Pop wasn’t so nuts after all. And I know that one day they will repeat my stupid magic tricks with spoons attached to the bridge of their noses while flipping other spoons into coffee cups, and their kids will roll their eyes at them!
I recently have been consumed by the need of a new car for my wife of 51 years. She happens to be a wonderful lady, but is an awful driver. She actually doesn’t believe she is a bad driver, it’s just that she mysteriously hits things. Oops my mistake, things hit her.
A deer may be understandable, but did you know that trees, garbage cans, curbs and lawns all have legs and move? There was a dumpster parked near our home for three months. She hit it three times. She claimed that the wind moved it. A month ago she even hit my car while backing up. On second thought, maybe she doesn’t need a new car!
I do have a new hobby that I started in February. I decided to take up painting in oils. Never having done anything like this before, I decided to take some lessons. Trevor, my teacher, called me “brilliant”. I’ve never been called brilliant in anything and he did it on three occasions.
In reality, I believe he told me that so I would keep taking lessons from him. Guess what, it worked! Try calling someone brilliant to get what you want, and I bet it works!
I cannot end this without saying how proud I am of Craig. Starting from scratch with a dream, and little else, and creating something exceptional. When I think of the first edition of AVIDGOLFER, I think of cartoons, a travel section and little else. It certainly was not the quality publication that it is today.
The amazing part of his success in this business is that he was a whiz kid in math, getting nearly a perfect score on that part of the SATs. However, he was so bad on the verbal side I think he actually owed points. But most of you all know that if you listen to him on the radio.
Given that I have 40 words left, I would like to leave you with a few words of wisdom:
- Brush and floss every day. It’s not that hard and you will thank me later.
- Have your kids call their grandparents at least once a week. Remember, it’s all about the inheritance. And karma.
- Please tell Craig he was “brilliant” in letting me write this letter. If he lets me write again, I promise to tell you about the time we first played golf together and how he ruined my brand new car!
See you in another 10 years.
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