May I suggest something? in honor of Rory setting The Masters record of making 4 double bogeys on his victory and completion of the grand slam… they should serve Sloppy Joe’s at the Champions Dinner next year. Maybe we could even have Adam Sandler as Lunch Lady there to serve and sing it.
Yet seriously… What a story. What a finish. Sure he made a sloppy mess of that second nine final round, but he got the job done. There were so many moments of back and forth — thinking he had this in the bag! He’s gonna coast to a victory… He’s sealed it! Then, it’s over, he blew it, how could he really be blowing this? Not again. This guy is taking a holy shit on Amen corner… Ups and downs, stumbles and right backups… There were moments of undeniable excellence and shots that were unbearably embarrassing.
While I was pulling for Rory to win, I had also been rooting for Justin Rosey all week. Both stories are worthy of cheering on. On top of that, I was somewhat disappointed to not see the hyped-up duel between Dechambeau and McIlroy play out. They’re all chasing a dream! None of it is my dream or contributes to my life… yet I’m gripped by all of it!
Rory is always full of heart, you truly feel his emotions while he plays.
Maybe for a moment on 15 on Saturday, we saw a little bit of Tiger in him, maybe it was the shot plus his determined stride — maybe he channeled something from the icon he grew up watching. A moment of pure strength and total conviction in his own abilities. But it didn’t last.
When you watch Rory play, it feels nerve-racking… like how I might feel if that were me at the Masters! I feel my arms move to jello as he’s standing over a wedge nearing Rae’s Creek. My knees weaken watching him at 18 aiming through a chute of trees. You can tell when he’s mentally rattled. He’ll be the first to admit it. At times he shows the heart of a lion, on the next shot, the fragility of a baby deer. If Rory were a Disney character he would be a flip-flopping mash-up of Mufasa and a young galloping Bambi. Grown and wise, yet still on his rite of passage into the legendary esteem of conquering the Masters and joining the immortal ranks of the golf’s grand slam champions… Side note, he sure would make a great voiceover as a lion for a future animated movie too.
However, he did it. He got it done. He played well. Well enough anyway. His talent is undeniable. His heart and emotion were on full display. His will and persistence, his belief and ability to see through the ups and downs and just stick with it, is incredibly inspiring to all who witnessed. His words to his daughter, “Never, ever give up on your dreams. Keep coming back, keep working hard, and if you put your mind to it, you can do anything.” For good reason is echoed by so many golf writers and news outlets… heartfelt, spoken like a seer, and a true believer. He was a shining example of proof and a source of light and optimism. You can’t help but be inspired.
I took those words straight to heart too. You don’t give up. You stay with it. You believe in yourself. You keep going and do what you do. You stay the course. You put in the work. You hold steadfast to your dreams. Keep going and you’ll achieve what you set your mind to. 17 years of attempts, putting himself to the test, he got it done. It begs you to ask yourself the question in your own life, “What have I been working on the past 17 years of my life, have I stayed committed? And how will I keep going?” That’s one way The Masters mattered to us all.
We watched a lot of grown men cry on television during this even.... Jim Nance was borderline moved to tears in Butler Cabin and put Rory under a crying spell.
There were a lot of moments to be moved. But for me, above all, the moment that got me… The one that made me realize why the world of golf transcends sport and inspires human behavior. For me, it is the moment after Rory won, after he fell to his knees and celebrated... Right behind him was Justin Rose, waiting at a mindful distance to shake his hand. They embraced with mutual respect. Looked one another in the eye. Shared words of honor toward each other. That immense gesture of respect. Competitive spirit, shifting to camaraderie and reverence.
One man's dreams realized, another’s slipped away. And again, another thorn in the mind for Rose in a playoff in The Masters. I would have been happy to see either one win. Both were deserving. Both are competitors and forces of nature on the golf course.
To see them be examples of fierce competition, but honor each other in the following moment — that’s what golf brings to the world. That shines a light on something more purposeful. Human beings at their finest, chasing the grandest of dreams, the deepest desire to win, but also the humility to know there’s more to life.
The way we treat each other, even the ones we oust in the heat of a contest. Their praise and mutual respect for each other can’t be overlooked or understated. It’s a reminder of why I have so much respect and cherished feelings for this game. It’s why I think golf and this institution will continue to matter for ages to come.
At the end of the day, golf is golf. Competition is simply competition. Money and prizes and titles, records, and grand slammers…they’re just a bunch of stuff. Jack Nicklaus, the golden fella with more green coats than anybody, tries to seed that idea into interviews whenever he can. A friendly reminder to all of us, that there’s more to life than golf. Sure, it’s a thrill. But at the end of the day, when the game is said and done, the winners are celebrated — what matters is how we treat each other.
No doubt, I watch The Masters to be inspired. To be part of something bigger, somehow it fuels my dreams too… On my own quest, maybe one day I’ll get to be a sportswriter, spending time in the media center, walking the grounds, getting the first hand, seeing it with my own eyes, being one of those people talking about how privileged I am to be there in golf’s sacred ground… among the magnificent magnolias and amazed by all the azaleas. Maybe one day I’ll get to go and take somebody who matters to me… It’s something I sure do dream about. In the meantime, golf’s great moments, push me to master my own craft of writing and creative storytelling. This is my little swing, aiming to make a dream come true.
I don’t give up either. I make a lot of mistakes. I lose focus again and again… but I keep on. One day, I’ll feel the burden of relief release, when I finally break through with my teeth into the crust of one of those peach ice cream sandwiches.
Sweet relief!
Until then I'm gonna keep working hard, keep treating others well, and keep feeling as peachy as I am... Steady working on my own masterpiece.
by:
Johnny Michael
FromTheFringe.golf
Johnny Michael is the founder of From The Fringe, a creative production agency specializing in solutions for brands in the golf industry, providing compelling storytelling and a unique presence.