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J. DUANE LEFTWICH, Dallas, Texas, USA
I try to always play in a mind-set of gratefulness—grateful that I am capable of physical activity, that I am given the time to
spend in this challenging game, that I have a wonderful place to enjoy the game, and for the fresh air that I breathe during the round.
I try to maintain an awareness that others observe my actions and responses to the ever- present "rub-of-the-green" that
so often tests the mind and body. Some of these observers are brothers in Christ and some are not, but all will judge how I respond to the test. I want to "allow my light to shine."
And finally, I try to enjoy the bonding experience this game provides. Certainly, we all know spending four hours pursuing a common
goal together creates an enduring bond, but there is more to it. This game is complex. It is mentally and physically challenging. We enjoy a seemingly unending list of stories to share with whoever will listen
about our equipment, gadgets, courses, weather conditions, encounters with wildlife (animal and vegetable), etc., etc. Most of these stories include how we enjoyed/endured the experience with at least one other
person. We have this "link" with others. I hope to use this link to glorify God every time.
SHELAGH BRAWAND-FRASER, Golfclub Interlaken, Switzerland
Well, you can rake your opponent's bunkers with love.
On the occasion of my hole-in-one at a season's final tournament, I tried to donate an extra large sum to the local
Salvation Army's home for transients. However, the president of the club wouldn't have this same "compassion for the poor." In the end we came to a compromise and made a donation to the Juniors'
Account. I am still mad at myself for not pushing more for what I felt what God was telling me to do.
RONNIE GAUBATZ, Rockwall, Texas, USA
To play golf like a Links Player means that my self-worth does not come from my handicap. My character is more
important to God than my score.
This is very hard to get your arms around in the heat of battle. Whether it be a Saturday skins game, personal or professional
life. We are conditioned with the need to be successful. A playing partner of mine said it perfectly last weekend: "No one has ever beat me, but I've beaten myself countless times." How true
is that? In all areas of my life I've beaten myself silly at one point or another.
Playing golf like a Links Player means getting out of God's way and free swinging with confidence. Confidence that this crazy
game really means nothing, Confidence that eternal life is much more important than earthly success.
MICHAEL GERSCH, Whittier, California, USA
Golf has always been an individual sport. When we play poorly, we beat ourselves. When we play well, we defeat our own mental
demons. How often have we finished with a lower score than a buddy but felt less than satisfied because we played poorly? Likewise, how often have we lost to a friend but still felt good because we played well?
Our relationship with Christ bears a striking resemblance to our performance on the golf course. We have days when things go well,
but we know we didn’t live up to our own Christian standards. Likewise, we’ve had days when we’ve given our best Christian effort only to have situations turn out worse than expected. However, in our
Christian lives like in golf, tomorrow brings a new opportunity to perform well; knowing that God will judge us on our efforts, not on the outcome.
TOM PATE, Albany, Georgia, USA
As a follower of Christ, I have had to determine how my faith meets and deals with my regular group at the club. We play as a large
open group, with random pairings.
Playing with different members, I am sometimes paired with a bad temper, profane language, or off-color storytelling.
If I keep an even temper, reflect on the blessings of the day, and pray silently every other hole, I can sometimes have a steadying effect within my group, even if my golf is not good. Praying while on the course
also helps to keep me in tune with God, and keeps the priority of the game in place. I have had an opportunity to talk with players after the round about my faith. I don't use golf to chastise or preach, but as a place where I attempt to show an example of a walk with Christ!
JON EVANS, Lewiston, Idaho, USA
My friends in golf and in God
got together 10 weeks ago. We kicked off a 6 a.m. Wednesday morning golf group with 12 of us. We play nine holes of golf, in twosomes, but on each hole, we also have a “life question.” The questions
revolved around the aspects of being a good Christian man—things like being in the Word, spending quality time with our wives and children, demonstrating honesty and integrity, and how we are doing living out God’s
purpose for our lives. We called the group “The Master’s”. On each hole, you got a golf score, but you also got a life score, and, the questions were rated just like a golf hole: par 3’s, 4’s and 5’s. So at the
end of nine holes, you actually had an 18-hole score, when you combined your golf score with your life score. During each week it helped us stay focused on living life like a Links Player should, but also developed
some great fellowship, too.
BILL GASSETT, Huron, Ohio, USA
I really like what Tom Lehman said about golf: "Golf is a game where who you are with is more
important than what you are doing."
G-O-L-F could stand for....... GROUP OF LOVING FRIENDS
G-O-L-F ............................... GOD OFFERS LOVE FOREVER
G-O-L-F ............................... GOD OFFERS LIFE FOREVER
G-O-L-F ............................... GOD OFFERS LOVING FORGIVENESS
The "F" in G-O-L-F definitely stands for FRIENDSHIP. I don't enjoy playing golf alone.
I don't think golf was intended to be played alone. God gave us this great game of golf so we could make friends and share the Good
News of God's love with many.
A Links Player is far more interested in making a permanent, eternal friend for Christ rather than winning
a temporary tournament for a reward that will fade and tarnish.
To play golf like a Links Player is to live out 1 Peter 3:15: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who
asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
NEIL SEGOTTA, Raton, New Mexico, USA
Like life, there will be good "holes" and bad "holes." Take each, one shot at a time, and don't try to force a
shot you cannot make. Let God guide you to make the right club selection, right flight path and the right overall decision.
Like the fairway to the green, we often have a narrow path to follow, as is our path to heaven. But if we stay focused, if we
see it, feel it and trust it (as Dr. David Cook has said), we will achieve our ultimate goal. The birdies and pars will come as long as we stay true to our abilities.
LARRY CAMPBELL, San Diego, California, USA
When we play a round of golf by adhering to the five standards of a Links Player,
we will have mastered the game of golf and played a perfect round. By loving God and our fellow players, we will have "Christianized" our environment and created an atmosphere of peace and joy. There will
be no arguing or disagreements when we integrate Christ into every aspect of our round. Our opponents will become our friends because of our Christian example. We will have compassion for the poor and
needy player who is having a bad round. We will share our relationship with Christ during the round and at the 19th hole, and encourage our competitors to do the same. And tomorrow, we will tee it up again.
"You have not chosen me; I have chosen you. Go forth and bear fruit that will endure." (John 15:16)
GARY TAYLOR, Brookfield, Missouri, USA
God doesn't do anything by
accident. So, I keep reminding myself that anytime I am able to carve some time out of my schedule to play golf, it isn't me but God doing the carving.
He places us in situations so we can be of service to Him. Sometimes it is just acting like a Christian when we
play—either good, bad or ugly. Other times, we have opportunities to witness verbally. Whatever the case, I try to remind myself that I am representing Jesus no matter what the opportunity. So, playing
like a Links Player means to me taking advantage of all opportunities God gives me to serve and witness for Him, whether it is in church or on the golf course.
DAVID MAGEE, Mount Dora, Florida, USA
The first thought that comes to
mind is getting together with other like-minded Christians to enjoy God’s creation—the course, the grass, the woods, the lakes, the ponds, the hills and valleys, the wild life; all the beauty of God’s earth,
where we can relax and enjoy His world.
The second thought is the meeting and greeting of new (and old) acquaintances who have the same belief and faith in our Lord and
Savior—the sharing of spiritual experiences (from our guest speakers) and others gives us all a common bond and strength; the learning and realization that there are so many others out there like you that are
looking for the same answers to help us in our daily lives; maybe most of all: having a good time with the Lord right by your side, along with your friends.
KERRY JESSEN, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
Well, it sure doesn't
necessarily mean that you play golf really well, at least not for me! I certainly try to play well, but, as I get older, just don't play as well as younger days. But, I actually do enjoy the game more, mainly
because of the peace of mind I have received from the Lord Jesus Christ. I figure, how in the world does a bad golf shot compare to what He suffered through for me? And, on the other hand, how does His grace compare
to... well, a hole-in-one? I guess I've learned to keep the game in perspective. And, even when I still lose to my older brother, Hans, I can still say "congratulations, my brother in Christ!"
KEN PETREHN, Shawnee Mission, Kansas, USA
To play golf as a Links Player
is to put your arm around your playing partner as you walk down the first fairway and say a prayer of thanks—thanks for a breath when waking up in the morning, thanks for bringing us all safely to the course, thanks
for allowing us to play a round of golf that will bring glory to the Lord. J.C. Watts said once that "we may be the only Bible people will ever read," after hearing Zig Ziglar say "a
person who lies about their golf score will lie about other things also." So it is important to have the armor of God on before even setting up the tee time!!!
To play golf as a Links Player is to keep the game in perspective. Pat Riley stated that "in the department store of life,
sports will be found in the toy department." So play on, play hard, but play with joy, peace and understanding.
To play golf as a Links Player is to have all other areas of life addressed before going off and having a lost weekend with the
boys—letting the night life lead to areas that you don't dare go near during the day. The old adage, "What happens here stays here" does not apply! Otherwise, we are just wolves in sheep's wool when
we come home and pick up where we left off. As Links Players, we should never have left off in the first place.
WOODY KAYE, Roslyn Heights, New York, USA
For one thing it means learning
true humility. As a pretty good player (2.5 index) who's endowed with a competitive spirit, I can fall into the trap of setting the bar too high and missing the pleasure parts, like fellowship and enjoyment. God is
teaching me to lower expectations and be more grateful for the good shots and accepting of the poor ones. Peace does rule my heart (Colossians 3:15) when I reflect on His sovereignty and grace. I'm
truly grateful for the chance to play the game.
JOHNNY BRANSON, Botetourt County, Virginia, USA
Being completely transparent, I must admit too often my Christian walk parallels my game.
Occasionally it's fairways, greens in regulation, two-putts, and on to the next hole. More often there are errant tee shots,
mis-hit approaches, skulled chips and three-putts. Those are the days when it’s difficult to “avoid the big number.”
I tell myself, “Don’t follow a bad shot with a stupid one.” Guess what? That 200-yard low cut out of the trees just disappeared
into the six-inch rough 20 yards behind me. The more I attempt to extricate myself, the worse it gets.
At times in my walk I have treated my salvation, given me by His sacrifice, grace and mercy, with the same recklessness and
neglect. I ignore the consequences of the temptations and dangers.
Once in a while I can pull off a miracle shot. But in life He’s the one with every shot in the bag, every time. No matter how far
out-of-bounds, how deep the hazard, how thick the rough I put myself in, He’s always willing to help me get it back in the fairway. All I have to do is ask for His help.
That’s the true miracle shot.
CHAD MCMULLIN, Rowlett, Texas, USA
"Although you may view the land from a distance, you shall not enter it—the land that I am giving to the Israelites." (Deuteronomy 32: 52)
Just south of Tucson, Arizona, is the little border town called Nogales. In Nogales, there are people who live as
"squatters." Most of these people have fled from their hometowns in the hope of coming to the United States of America to have a better life, to pursue the American dream and to find freedom. Most of these
people are left to fend for themselves in this border town, working long shifts in the maqueladoras (factories) only to bring home enough to almost feed and clothe their families. They are stuck between two worlds, living in cardboard houses with dirt floors, on someone else's land (hence the term squatters). They live with the promised land just on the other side of a border station and a huge green wall of steel. Many of them die every year trying to reach the "promised land" that we know as home.
Several years ago, I spent one week with a "squatter" family in the city of Nogales. I slept on their dirt floors,
and shared the use of the community toilet and showers. This family taught me the true meaning of hospitality, and they also taught me that true happiness is not a symptom, it's a choice. Regardless
of being on the wrong side of the fence; they chose to love, to be happy, and to reach out to one another. They functioned as a community, and I felt ashamed of myself as I realized that I don't even talk
to my neighbors—and that my happiness is often dependent upon the state of my finances. They had all the things I thought money could buy—only they didn't have any money at all. They carried themselves
with dignity, and they all had personal integrity. In many ways, they were experiencing the blessings of the "promised land," even more so than many American citizens. Five pesos won't buy you a taco
in Nogales, but most of them survive on less than that every day. As a reminder of my week with this family, I kept some of the coins of Mexico. One in particular, a very attractive piece of silver and
gold now doubles as my golf ball marker—it's a five-peso coin.
Without fail, every round of golf brings challenges—and plenty of opportunity to be frustrated (sand traps, chili-dipped pitching
wedges, birdie putts left short, etc.). I have to admit that I often do succumb to the temptation of my frustration (occasional curse word, anger, slamming my club down, etc.). However, once I finally reach the
green, I pull out that five-peso coin, and I remember just how blessed I am to be able to play this game, and that I can choose to enjoy my round, or I can choose to throw clubs and act like the spoiled brat who
wants so desperately to break 80. This coin has served as a reminder to me, that even though 80 is just within reach, it is important to get there with dignity, integrity, and with your head up high, and that in the
grand scheme of things it's not which golf course you're on that makes it the "promised land," it's who you are to yourself and how you treat others that makes every place on earth a promised
land.
JERRY MOSER, USA
I have, on occasion, played as
a walk-on fourth, especially when on vacation. I show up at a course I am not familiar with and play with golfers I have never seen before and most likely never will again. Will who I am change with how well I
play or whom I'm paired with?
Sometimes I get to play with what must be the club champion and the two runners-up and feel the pressure of "keeping up"
with their pace and skill of play; other times it's with three people who only play golf when on vacation. In any case I could act and play like anyone I want; I won't see them again anyway. But I love to
get paired up with different people to build my character and touch their lives.
Golf has a way of revealing the true character of the one who plays it. The roller coaster of emotions and sudden changes in
fortune have a way of popping who we are into the open at any time.
I look at the LINKS title and know what kind of person, let alone golfer, I need to be for each day.
DON HUTTON, Visalia, California, USA
For me, my actions on the golf course should always embrace proper demeanor and a spirit of fellowship.
At the risk of offending many folks, I offer the following observations. The reader should know that I was at
the U.S. Open Monday Wednesday, Thursday and Friday—probably about 30 hours at Torrey Pines. I was able to watch almost all of the playoff on TV. From this experience, along with marshalling the 2000 Open at
Pebble Beach, I can say with clarity that Tiger Woods is not an example of what a round of golf would look like by a Links Player. Conversely, in Monday's playoff, Rocco Mediate demonstrated Links Player-like behavior.
Let's be clear. Tiger Woods is the greatest player in the game today, period! But my reality with Tiger is that he signs no
autographs, is basically rude to marshals and just about anyone in his way. He walks the fairways with arrogance and aloofness! Tiger sticks his club in the ground and fires off "f-bombs"
regularly.
Meanwhile, players like Phil Mickelson, Zach Johnson, Rod Pampling, etc., etc., sign many, many autographs even on the course on
Wednesday while walking between the eleventh green and twelfth tee!
Back to Rocco, on the day of his life Monday, he was continually smiling, engaging people around him, even clapped for Tiger on a
couple of shots. For me personally, I would be horrified if someone watching me play golf gave a "Tiger like" description of me! Ah yes, you say, but that is their business, we shouldn't hold them to
the same standard. Actually, you're right, they should be held to a higher standard! We all should remember that someone may be watching us from afar while we play!
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