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January 23, 2007
I am addicted to this game, because of you
Dear Mr. Palmer:
The reason that I'm sending this note to you (Mr. Palmer) is to say thank-you. I was watching repeat coverage of the third round of the Bob Hope when I saw you with Nick (Faldo) and Kelly (Tilghman). It was this segment that prompted me to write. I want to say that it is because of you sir that I became interested in this great game of golf.
Mr. Palmer, you were playing in the Senior Canadian Open in Hamilton, Ontario. I'm not too sure of the year (perhaps 1995) so I apologize. But, I was downtown completing a night shift (as a security officer) and I was walking down the street. It just so happened that you were coming out of the hotel on your way to the course (I think it might've been King's Forest that year or Hamilton Golf and Country). I remember making eye contact with you and you greeted me with a warm smile and a simple "Hello, how are you this morning?". Even though I wasn't a golfer back then I knew who you were. I still beat myself up for not asking for an autograph, then again it took me this long to say thank-you.
Well, I can tell you that the first thing I did that morning was go home, shower and head to the nearest sporting good store (yes, I had not discovered the pro shop at this point). I'll never forget my first set of clubs. It cost me $75 CDN for driver, fairway wood and irons. The irons were so bad in hindsight, they had zinc heads. Just harsh really, but it felt so soft when I pured my first 7 iron. Golf didn't truly stick with me then (I was a twice a year golfer...err hacker) as I was too involved in baseball. When I got really ill (I'm now 35) with severe diabetes, kidney and liver problems (diabetic complications) and heart problems (two heart attacks) I lost baseball and hockey. I was pretty depressed for a while and then I thought about picking up golf again. It was 2003 when I broke through and realized that golf was my game. I was playing that winter every chance that I had (as long as there was no snow) and it left me thinking that I was wasting time playing other sports. I have been playing for what would've been my third year last year. I've progressed quickly and surpassed any expectations that I had with this game.
To make a real long story relatively short, I'm hoping to bounce back from a torn Achilles last year (May 15th). I only got in 9 rounds during the season and golfed 20 rounds during the winter months. This year I'm playing on a mini-tour up here to gain experience. Maybe if I'm playing well enough this year I'm going to attempt a Monday Qualifier on the Nationwide Tour. Likely the Lake Erie Charity Classic.
In closing, I wanted to say thank-you again for introducing me to this game. I love everything about it. From the challenge of the elements, to the ups and downs of emotions it brings out in me, or just the smell of freshly cut grass. I love nothing more than driving by a course at night with my windows rolled down and inhaling that smell as it mingles with dew. Truly an intoxicating smell and game. My wife says that I am addicted to this game, and it is definitely true. But as I say to her "I could be addicted to worse things".
Sincerely,
Alexander Toth
Posted by scurry at 12:13 PM