Memories From a Late-Blooming She-Nut.

Nut #4144,  one of the Golf Nut Society’s more “active” Nuts, takes a few moments away from the course to remind all of us to cherish the way the Game Of Golf got into us.

With the exception of a few dates at the local Putt-Putt in my early teens, I simply refused to chase a little ball around a park until it fell into a hole.  What was the point?    I was never athletic growing up and didn’t play any sports.  I joined the Army in the 80’s and just about died the first time I had to run a mile, don’t even ask me about the push-ups and sit-ups. I married my husband 24 years ago and built a business.  We wintered in Phoenix , Arizona and I put together a book I called, “Things to do besides golf in and around Phoenix”.  Golf was everywhere I wanted to be, I just didn’t want to golf.

Then, we moved into a golf course community in Henderson, Nevada.  My husband decided it would be a good idea to join the country club so we could meet some of our neighbors and since there was a golf course here, we could learn to golf.  I finally decided to take lessons from the club pro in the fall of 2003.  I was hooked, as most are, from the first time that my club connected with the ball and sent it sailing a million miles out into the driving range.  Semi-drunk at the Club’s 2004 Super Bowl party I agreed to play my first real round of golf. The group let me tee up for my fairway shots and I had to pick up after 10 strokes.  I think I shot a 172, but probably more.  Thank goodness for patient friends I can’t remember if they drank a lot that day, but I know I didn’t.  I was exhausted.

The club pro left during the summer so the next winter I started lessons with a much younger, cuter instructor.  My handicap improved from a 42 to the low 20’s in 6 months.  The first time I broke 100 was on New Year’s Day 2005, I bought my pro and his girlfriend dinner at one of the best restaurants in Las Vegas. This was repeated when I broke 90 as well.  I plan to break 80 this year and have stone crab claws again. I still use the same professional instructor and if I ever break 70, YIKES!!!!!  I’ll have to include all his children and grandchildren too.

If I could play everyday, I would.  I love the challenge.  I love the friendships I’ve made.  I love the fact that I am getting old and forgetful and can forget a bad shot as soon as I choose a club for the next one.  I finally put my beads away.  I usually remember all the strokes from the tee to the cup and can count them on one hand, with a few extra fingers.  In the beginning, it took both hands and both feet.  Thank goodness for those bead things.

2 years ago, while a low 20 handicap, I entered my first state amateur – my goals were, have fun, meet new golfing friends and DON’T COME IN LAST.  I succeeded.  Since then I have participated in several amateur events.  I love the competition; I need the competition. I find that if I am playing with friends without a friendly wager, I will just bang the ball around the course until we get to have lunch.

I helped to start the DragonRidge Women’s Golf Association in 2007, and have the privilege to sit on the DragonRidge Golf Committee and to be a delegate from DragonRidge at the Southern Nevada Women’s Golf Association monthly meetings.  I try to encourage new female golfers wherever and whenever I can.  Every one should try this sport and if you don’t love it, I’ll still be your friend, but you’ll have to put up with my raving on and on about my game and all the minute details every time you see me.

Now that I am semi-retired, my husband asked if I thought I was paid too much.  My response – “I think of myself as a tour pro in training; I am getting used to the lavish lifestyle, but my golf game still needs some improving.”

Hope to see you all on the course sometime.  Golf is the greatest game I know.

Karen Tieken #4144

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