[Kilaoksrsa]

Sorry for your loss.

Got paired with a guy last week who just retired. 67 years old. Nice guy, pretty good golfer, former dean at a university.

Told me he started golfing after his wife died of cancer 11 years ago. It helped deal with the loss. He did say that his game was not real good for a few years. Golf was more theraputic than enjoyable.

Better to golf than some of the other options to deal with pain.

[NumStulpata]

Last Thursday my uncle passed away from his year long battle with cancer. Since my dad died before I was 2 my uncle was the closest thing I had to a father in my life. We spent alot of time together the past few weeks as he was slipping away and what he kept telling me was he had a great life and he was so glad to have had me in it. When we would talk about what made him happy in life he said, his family, loving everyone and his hobbies. So naturally I thought about what makes me happy as well. Golf is a primary contributor to my happiness and after his funeral Friday I started to anticipate getting to play in our CGA interclub match on saturday.

We stood in 2nd place needing to win to advance to the playoffs and after asking my aunt if I should play or not she encouraged me to go because thats what Bill would have wanted. So Saturday morning I went down to Cramer Mountain to play and get my mind off the pain. My two man team was the last to go out and I had to give my opponent 7 shots in the match play event. I had never played the course before and after the first 3 holes I found myself down 3 holes due to hitting the ball into the 100's of hazards around the course. I was angry and frustrated and couldn't focus on golf because I kept thinking about Bill. But then on the 4th hole my playing partner who is a good friend and is 66 years old said. At least we are looking down at the grass and something inside me clicked as to what Bill said about loving your hobbies, I was looking at the bad breaks as punishment. If in finally put my focus on hitting shots and not what was going wrong that day, I didn't shoot a great round but ended up winning my match 4&2 after making alot of clutch putts.

When we got to 18 my whole team was out there watching and came running down to see how we were doing, it turned out we needed my two points to at least tie and move on to the playoffs. So we were going to be 2nd place but after I made a clutch par at the 18th we won another point as well as my partner getting us 1 point and ended up winning the match 20 - 16 instead of tieing and we won our division with a record of 4 and 2 this season. I can't help but think how sad of a day it would have been if I had stayed home but instead of sitting around sulking I got out and did something I love and in the process was the hero of the day. Everyone at the club was proud of me and I wasn't sure if I could win going into the day but I'm glad I did and now our country club is moving on to the playoffs for the first time in 8 years. I'm James Ewing and I love golf.

[acneman]

Sorry for your loss James, but congrats on winning your match. Sounds like your uncle was there watching your match and gave you motivation and peace.

[imnaone]

first off, i'm sorry for your loss SKJ....i hate to hear that anyone loses someone close, special and important to them. secondly, i appreciate you writing this up and sharing it with us, goes to show how unique and special this forum is. and lastly, congrats! congrats on finding some peace within yourself and on the golf course.

[SHaEFU0i]

James, thanks for sharing that. I'm very sorry to of your loss and my thoughts are with you and your family. Sounds to me like Bill was right there with you. Great job!

[verybigf]

Sorry for your loss James. Prayers/thoughts are with you and your family. Glad you were able to get out there and enjoy it.

[Seisyvose]

What an awesome story! Thank you for sharing that and I am sorry for your loss!! Good luck with the rest of your tournaments

[valensds]

Inspirational stuff James.

Really sorry for your loss, but I'm glad you have something which calms your mind and gives you some peace during a difficult time. Your uncle would be proud.

[IssuessBratte]

Like everyone else I am so sorry to hear about your loss and my prayers are with you and your family. It seems to me that your uncle would have been proud that your persevered and worked through thing on the course and came out on top.

[inmeirulez]

James - Sorry for your loss. Your Uncle Bill will always be in your heart to root you on. He's just a memory away. Take care buddy...