It took me awhile to get here, but I think I’m actually going to give this golf game a whirl. Prior to last week I hadn’t golfed since high school — a requirement for PE. Before that it was when I was a little girl accompanying my grandfather to the golf course and mostly driving the cart.
Yet, golf seems as much a part of my life as all the other sports we follow. (As I type this, my husband is stretched out on the couch watching the AT&T Byron Nelson Tournament.) Sidenote: When I first started dating my husband he explained to me that Masters weekend was his weekend. It was a cute idea, but he generally spends part of it watching and part of it running our kids around.
I previously thought I just didn’t have what it takes to golf. Thanks to our very own Pam DeBruyn, I was able to join the Chamber Outing and get my first real 18-holes of golf in at Westwood Golf Course. I’ll be upfront — I’m not amazing, but I don’t suck. My foursome was impressed that I’m able to hit the ball straight, which I guess is a common mistake. When I whiffed the ball six times in a row while teeing off, they encouraged me and didn’t laugh.
Being able to golf with these ladies meant the world due to my former hesitation. My husband practically grew up at the Newton County Club and knows a lot about the game. I was afraid if my initial outing was with him he’d be a knowy-know-it-all. In fact, when I said I was golfing in the Chamber Outing he chuckled, I shot a dirty look and then he promptly arranged for some clubs to be waiting on my cart for tee time.
So having never golfed I knew the first thing I wanted to do — get a proper golfing outfit. My husband said that I “get a new outfit for everything,” which is false. But isn’t it great he thinks that? I could totally make that happen. Anyway, when a work conference took me to Coralville just a day before the outing I knew it was my opportunity to hit Scheels and scope out the gear. Totally cute stuff, guys! So with some dri-fit performance gear and visor (had to) I was ready for my inaugural game. Pam has since nicknamed me “princess,” which is fine. I’ve always felt like Princess Abigail has a nice ring to it.
But, as it turns out, people don’t actually wear that stuff to the Chamber Outing. I didn’t care — in fact when I saw professional photographer John Lee taking photos of the foursomes I was actually rather pleased. Look at me — I look like I know what I’m doing!
Another great thing about the outing is that it’s best ball tournament. The seasoned golfers on my team pulled the majority of the weight, but I also had some decent shots we used.
With temperatures in the 70s, a bright sun and cold beer we made our way through our beautiful city golf course. I have no idea what our score was. I just know we shared many laughs and had fun. If there was any distracter from the day it was the missing porta potty on hole 5. We ladies were really kind of counting on that one.
I felt so good about my experience I suggested to the hubby that we should hit the links, to which he responded, “seriously?”
On Memorial Day weekend I was able to golf the same course I once frequented with my grandfather. My husband wasn’t a knowy-know-it-all, but he did provide some tips — after asking permission to share his insight. My largest lesson learned that day was that I need a decent driver. Although my husband’s isn’t the correct size for me I can send a golf ball sailing with it.
So cheers to new pastimes and new adventures ahead — and new golf outfits. I love the golf outfits.
Contact Abigail Pelzer at 641-792-3121 ext. 6530 or apelzer@newtondailynews.com