January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Well done, Michael!
Michael's golfing achievement earlier this month at the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament, and the road he had to travel to get there, is significant. While Michael no doubt fell short of his goal, which was to earn exempt playing status on the PGA Tour or the Nationwide Tour, he nonetheless has shown, again, to all who understand what it takes to play at that level just how good he is at his chosen sport.
It has been said before, it will be said again and it is certainly worth saying now - all golfers who compete will know that there is a big difference between golf and competitive golf.
Golf, that wonderful, sweet and sour, four letter word, is a hard enough task master. It requires you to show up on time, weather (usually) not withstanding, bringing with you a variety of different bats, some balls, and an assortment of other rather odd shaped bits and pieces. Oh, and you'd probably be wise to bring with you a few extra dollars to settle up those golfing bets that you were convinced you wouldn't lose. As dedicated golfers, we look forward all week to getting out there with our buddies, weather (usually) not withstanding, hoping to play well enough so as to break 80 or 90 or whatever our personal goal happens to be. And at the end of it, we either pat ourselves on the back or we tell ourselves better luck next weekend, and then we happily slope off to the 19th hole to shoot the blarney with our mates, telling a slew of "if only" stories.
Competitive golf requires you to do exactly the same, weather (always!) not withstanding, but with one additional, and rather important, requirement - you must perform or be prepared to get swallowed up by the guy behind you who wants your spot.
Competitive golf is all about being able to play the right golf at the right time. In competitive golf, you cannot afford to hit a slightly bigger draw than planned, or hit a power cut that gets away from you just a little more than you wanted. In competitive golf, you cannot afford to three putt, and in competitive pools like Michael is swimming in, the greens will be undulating and fast, running at 10 and upwards on the stimpmeter. For the average golfer, greens like that will produce three or more three-putt greens per round. They also cause nightmares and can result in severe mental disorders. Trust me, I know.
Unlike team sports, golf is a sport that you cannot hide in. You are on stage the entire time and your performance, be it good, bad or indifferent, is right there for the world to see. So, this weekend, before you get ready to hit your first tee shot, and while you are trying to suppress that ever-emerging thought you're having that the rough and trees this morning on the right look much more severe this weekend than last, just take a minute to reflect on what Michael Sims has achieved. I'm sure you will tip your hat to him and recall the Tour Players' mantra of "These guys are good". They are and so is Michael.
Well done, Michael - we are proud of you.[[In-content Ad]]
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