Maybe it's the fact I've been indoors in the golf studio for a long time this winter, maybe it's the fumes from the club building epoxy - or maybe it's just because I'm hitting the ball well. Whatever it is, my last three newsletters seem to have been quite reflective and deep. Last week I talked about Carl Tindall being the reason for the Scratch match becoming the season starting event at Brocton, the week before I was remembering my Dad's contribution to golf and life on what would have been his 80th birthday and this week's message goes even further.
Playing on Saturday at Brocton with 27 others in an impromptu game to raise money for the GIST cancer support UK charity, organised by Simon Bright and Alan Kinvig, like most of the other players I wasn't 100% sure what the charity was, but the promise of raising money with a banterous game of golf and a few sherbets was enough of an attraction for me.
I was aware that Alan Kinvig and Andy Jones were running the Stafford Half Marathon next day in aid of the GIST charity as one of their best friends, 35 year old Leon Callon was diagnosed with the disease. Alan Birch and Simon Bright were due to run too but had picked up injuries in the previous weeks and had to pull out. I too was running to raise money for the Birmingham Childrens Hospital, hence my plan to have one drink and then consume ridiculous amounts of H2O and carbohydrates ready for the next day's onslaught.
We played a harsh format, 2-ball Texas Scramble with 9 tee shots to count each - no wriggle room there - and gathered in the bar for the presentation, sharing stories of the 'walk of shame' to the 18th tee, Ali Dawes' monstrous drive on the 16th and Scruffy's spawny game as the winners were announced plus the fact that we'd raised £200 for the charity. Just then the focus of their fundraising, the seemingly young and fit Leon, chinked a glass for attention, stood up, and then totally composed and unscripted, proceeded to deliver an incredibly sincere and motivating speech. If I attempt to paraphrase hugely, in essence he thanked us for playing and said:
"I'll try to do this without getting emotional - you may not know what you're raising money for but GIST is a rare terminal cancer - Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor - normally affecting 60 year old blokes but I've been unlucky enough to attract the condition at my age too. I'm overwhelmed that most of you don't know me, yet you've come together to raise money and I've had a great day out on the course with you and I'll cherish days like this, as in 2 or 3 years I may not be able to join in. So far since being diagnosed I've raised £21,000 for the support charity and I can tell you that every penny is appreciated. I'm running the half marathon tomorrow with these nutters to show that I may have a couple of stomach ulcers and a whole lot of medication, but you can still get out and live your life and make a difference, thanks for your support."
I'm not sure anyone else noticed the huge exhalation as he sat down which belied his composed dialogue, but the momentary thoughtful silence from the gathered group spoke volumes.
There are three more chapters to this story -
Chapter 1 - The winners donated their winnings to the charity
Chapter 2 - The following day Alan, Andy and Leon were joined in the half marathon by Alan Birch and Simon Bright who fought through their injuries to run, shuffle and walk through the distance.
Chapter 3 - This picture of Alan and Leon at the finish line
Thank you for everyone who has sponsored me as well this year. In any arduous distance event there is always a point where you really feel like giving up and the urge to stop overwhelms you - that's when you end up carrying on purely for the people who have believed in you and bring meaning to what you're doing, which is often the only time you've come across that feeling - in the whole build up until then it's been bravado and self-fulfilment that drove you on. It makes me think - how many people have this feeling every day? Are they the lucky ones? I like to think the feeling of satisfaction we get from teaching people as golf coaches is our way of tapping into this appreciative state.
Events like this weekend starkly remind me how lucky we are to be able to play golf and socialise like this way every week if we wish. Okay, we might not be able to tee off exactly when we want to, we may three-putt the last or lose by one shot - but does it really matter?
It also reminds me of Scratch team Captain, Alan Birch, with his parting words 2 weeks ago "Play hard and Party hard" - maybe we could add 'Live hard and enjoy"
Here is a link to the GIST charity support page set up by Alan Kinvig.
The goal by Leon and his team of fundraisers is to reach £25,000. He's now only £2,000 away.
Well done to all the other Brocton members who ran on Sunday, a great effort - all with their own similar stories I'm sure:
Alex Humphries 1:47:06
Frank Dellicompagni 1:57:45
Mick Williams 2:11:31
Alan Birch 2:22:11
Alan Kinvig 2:50:59
Simon Bright 2:14:26
Andy Jones 1:52:32
Ryan Collier 1:43:42
Kevin Hunt 2:09:31
Jason Ashley 1:57:26
Richard Quine 1:45:36
Adam Matthews 2:01:45
Nev 1:49:06
Sorry if I've missed anyone. Special thanks to the Brocton members who lined the roads to seek us out of the 4,000 strong throng and shouted their support, there were loads of you and it was great.
Pro's Fiddle this Saturday
As the course drainage work isn't starting until next week, we'll have a Pro's Fiddle this Saturday played off the white and red tees. It will be another 90% Betterball stableford but with a twist - the par 3's will be better ball medal. The 16th hole may be a temporary green.
This week's results:
1st Steve Treadwell & Ellie Treadwell 48 points £20 each
2nd Stu Beaman & John Nicholls 47 points £15
3rd Andy Tarplee & Mark Bendall 44 points £12
4th Martin Hunt & Dave Taylor 43 points £10
5th Sean Nelson & Maurice Braden 42 points £5
Mick Dilworth & David Allen 42 points £5
Dave Parr & Bob Walker 42 points £5
Next week I promise to be back into full golf newsletter mode and the US Masters will be here - Woohoo!! Until then, don't forget to enter the Masters sweep in the shop before next Thursday.