[Joircarm]

Last Fall I brought three loan officer clients of mine to my semi-private club for a round of golf. One was a beginner and was telling me how he was really progressing and loving the game. We met in the parking lot and I took him down to the range and went and paid the fees. As I'm walking down the hill to the range I see his swing and say to myself, oh, oh, this is going to be a long day. So we're hitting some balls and this guy is barely getting the club head on the ball. I'm facing him in the next range area because I'm a lefty. He takes a mighty swipe and shanks it almost straight right like Costner in "Tin Cup". I watch it go past with a quick turn of the head. Behind me another member had stepped forward two or three yards out of his hitting station to pick up a tee and the ball hits him right in the groin and drops him to his knees.

It was an "America's Funniest Home Videos" special. He's swearing a little bit and my client is actually kind of chuckling. I couldn't believe it. All I could do was apologize over and over. The guy was more stunned than really angry, thank God.

Then the other two clients showed up and the day got worse.

5 hour 45 minute round. We must have let 15 groups play through. The shanker spent a good part of the day on the phone which was really classy, and probably shot 140. One of the other guys lost at least 20 golf balls yet amazingly kept making five, six, and the occasional seven. The third guy was so embarrassed by these other two that he offered to pay for all the rounds. I declined, but appreciated the offer.

Most embarrassing day of my life on the golf course, and yet I think I shot a 78.

The member that took the shot to the groin turned out to be a really cool guy. We laugh about it, and every time he sees me walking down to the range he looks around quickly pretending to see who I have with me, and covers his crotch with his hands.

Kevin