This weekend I was fortunate enough to represent the New Golf Club in a team competition against a group of players from Ireland. The weekend started with me being introduced to 12 strangers and finished with me having 12 new friends and an invitation to attend the away leg in Ireland next September. The dinners on Saturday and Sunday also allowed me to get to know my fellow NGC members better too; some of whom I know and have played golf with before and others I didn't know.
This friendly competition has been running for 18 years now and while there is a trophy at stake, it is much more about the bragging rights, friendship, fellowship and hospitality of all the players involved. It was a privilege to be asked along as a new member of the team. The weekend perfectly captured how golf brings people together from all different backgrounds. The common language of golf, tales of holes won and lost, shots both good and bad, breaks down all barriers.
It was great to spend time in the company of my playing partner Neil and our opponents DJ, Mark, Mike and Conner (all of whom will be looking for revenge next year). I'm happy to say that Neil and I came away undefeated and that the NGC won the trophy back for the first time in 4 years. Making the weekend even more special, two of the home team players achieved their first-ever hole-in-one. Stevie got his on the 9th of the New and Dave on the 5th of the Jubilee. Another member, Andrew, also holed out from a bunker, not once but twice, to really sicken his opponent!
The weekend made me think about all of the friendships, old and new, that I have made through golf, the courses I've played, the people I've met and the conversations I've had. Sometimes I wonder if I would have any friends at all if it weren't for golf. My closest friends all have a golfing connection. In fact, sometimes it's the only connection, but it's enough!
I don't know why these friendships have endured better than others. Maybe it's a bond that comes from the mutual suffering caused by trying to conquer this game. Maybe it's the fact that you are more "present" when playing and are generally free from the distractions of modern life. Golf should be an escape from the rest of your life and I've lost count of the number of rounds I've ruined by checking my phone and subsequently getting distracted. Other than putting the world to rights in the pub, I can't think of anywhere else I've had such wide-ranging conversations, especially with strangers. Most of the chat is usually about golf and shared experiences, but quite often it goes well beyond what you might expect. Men are often bad at talking about what's bothering them so maybe the golf course is a "safe space" where they feel comfortable opening up. I'm reminded of some of the great interviews that Peter Allis did on "Pro-Celebrity Golf" and more recently by Iona Stephen over on her YouTube channel "On the road with Iona". Unlike them though, what's discussed on the course with me, stays on the course!
I look forward to getting to know my new Irish friends better over the years ahead.
Golf - it's not just about the score!
Agree wholeheartedly... golf is a safe space and a space where its easier to be more present than almost anywhere else in life these days.
A beautiful piece that wonderfully captures our sentiments exactly. Great to meet you and we look forward to years of competition and banter
The Irish team