The Gentlesmans' Sport...

"Life is all work and no play...is exactly on the opposite end of the truth spectrum," he would say on days like today...

We were up at sunrise to make his regular tee-time!  We were the first ones off every Saturday morning!  I think that it was that alone that motivated him...he was "kiddy" as we walked up to the first tee box...

We enjoyed golfing together...in fact we probably golfed too much!  He had standing tee times 3 days each week and he seldom missed them...We were also a "sub team" on two evening leagues...There were times that I felt "overloaded" with golf...but because we played together...it was a blast!

Our "play" was quite unconventional...

Hit the ball...
Toast to celebrate a brilliant hit (no matter where it landed)...
Drive to it...
Hit it again...and...
Repeat every step...

We supplemented the routine with heavy discussions...most of the topics were those that we had no time to talk about while enjoying "the play" in other aspects of our lives...we actually played golf (from my perspective) in order to give us uninterrupted philosophy time!

He had a unique golf strategy...he never used his driver...most of the time he "teed-off" with a club no larger than his 5 wood...then he jumped into his irons 5,7, 9, wedge and then putt...He played absolutely perfect sub-bogie golf!  He'd par the 5's consistently (a rare birdie was celebrated)...the 4's a little over 50% of the time and the 3's his demise!  I struggled to do the same...but was a consistent challenge to him and a good team mate!

Today the stars aligned and we were playing more like the regulars who arrive a few hours later than us...and show disgust at pars!

We were reveling in a pair of par 3 birdies (a rarity).  He poured another drink and then asked..."Many people claim that golf and business are much alike...do you know how these two are the same?"

We were playing so good...I wanted to concentrate on my game...but I knew better...

I gave him a long winded answer and he patiently listened...sipped his drink and subtly motioned that I should do the same...It was a hint that I should "shut up" and listen...

I ignored his hints and continued talking until I gave my entire perspective...he smiled and told me that I was totally off base!

"OK...then...how are they the same?" I asked...

"Both endeavors are gentlemens' sports...In golf...everything short of a hole in one is a mistake...an error...or less than adequate performance...every shot from tee to hole is making up for your inadequacies!"

"The exact same thing holds true in management...every day (except in some rare occasions) is sub perfect and all subsequent efforts are around correcting for the initial shot-fall and those that follow!"

"I never looked at it that way!  The best players treat that situation with grace and class...recognizing that they are pursuing a nearly impossible goal and that they are constantly playing catch-up!"

"But you called it a gentlemens' sport...what do you mean by gentlemen?"

"Although the mechanics of golf and business are nearly identical...it is the gentlemen part of it that brings the two into the same arena..."

"A gentleman is an individual with "class.""

"A gentleman is a person who controls extremes and is astutely aware of the impact that his behaviors has on others..."

"A gentleman NEVER lowers himself to the tactics of the "lower classed" people around him...he or she is a person of firm integrity!"

"A gentleman stands out in the croud...not because of dress...but because action..."

"A gentleman is a person of charity...they are constantly appreciative for the blessings that they have received and never steal credit where credit is due..."

"A gentleman recognizes their strengths and weaknesses and does not veer from reality..."

"I could go on for a long time with the characteristics of a gentleman...the important thing is to set yourself apart..."

"Business is not a game of aces, or birdies or even consistent pars...not for most of the players..."

"We would love to believe ourselves of being capable of consistent birdie golf...but then we'd be making a living doing that!"  "Get REAL...we have to stop deluding ourselves...and see ouselves for what we are really capable of..."  "There is a huge difference between a perfect game...a score of 18...and a par game of 72!"  "And we celebrate a great game when we are 54 strokes away from realty..."

"We are blessed by the fact that there are so many poor players that our meager efforts look like birdie golf!"

"But if we get realistic...we are limited by those around us..."  "That is one of the reasons I like to be the first one off when I play...I have noone in front of me to slow me down..."

"The important thing is to be a gentleman about our efforts...and the performance of others..."

"Look at the most of the early morning players...they curse...they throw clubs...they outwardly show disappointment!"

"Those people are not gentlemen!"

"Think about a majority of the meetings that we attend...many of those players curse...throw thensleves and show disappointment...there is no difference..."

"Acting like that in business is no better...and does not increases one's class or cash!  Those behaviors do not take a single stroke off their game (in golf)...or...make the company's performance better..."

"So remember...unless you make a hole in one...you are playing catch-up...don't deceive youself into believing that you made a great shot...if it didn't go in the hole..."

"Then remember to be a gentleman about it all..."

"Be thankful that your shot didn't go into the woods!"

"Gather yourself up..."

"and try again!"

"Do not give up..."

"Catch-up..."

"Get to the hole..."

"AND be a gentleman about it all..."

"Show the world who has class and who doesn't!"

"There are a few professional players that we try to emulate...but the fact of the matter is...a vast majority of players...whether it is in business or golf...are "wanna bees!"

"They are amatuers..."

"Put any of them in the arena with the true professionals and they are embarrassing losers!"

"Don't emulate a loser..."

"I am so entertained by any of those people...golfers or business people...who act as if they are professionals!  They lack the most basic components...a sense of reality!"

With that...I walked up to my tee'd ball...and hit the best grass burner I ever hit...

"Great hit!" he sincerely noted... 

I smiled and said..."I can not wait to see what my next hit will be like!"

"I have a lot of catching up to do!"

"Pass me my drink...Here's to you...a gentleman and a scholar!"