Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2018 - 48

BACKSPIN
* BY MARK CRAIG *
Smiling in the Sand Bunker
A dad finds fun (and a few laughs) out on the
course with the kids.
T
he Big Three had reached the ninth tee box at Eagle
Lake Youth Golf Center's pitch-and-putt Birdie Course
in Plymouth a few years back.
Arnie, Jack and Gary? Not exactly.
Caleigh, Jessica and dad. Caleigh was about seven. Jessica was
about 17. And Dad was just ... old.
I've played Augusta National-walked where the Big Three
walked, sliced where the greats have striped it, and stood there
in awe at Amen Corner wondering: Why did Hootie give a mutt
like me the opportunity to four-putt the
same hole Larry Mize chipped in on to win
a green jacket?
But as exhilarating as that day was, I
have memories from Eagle Lake that match
Augusta in longevity, and exceed them
in hilarity.
So,
trust me, golfing parents:
If you
haven't taken the young'uns to a par-27
pitch-and-putt, do so this year.
The Birdie Course at Eagle Lake
my recommendation. And it's
is
lighted,
so there's plenty of hours available for
moments that last a lifetime.
I chose Eagle Lake because the " green
monster " on this track is the 90-yard fourth hole. That's huge
when paired with a seven-year-old who's never touched a club
and requires ample time for 10 whiffs between eight-yard
worm burners.
Back to the Big Three: They stepped to the 50-yard first hole.
On Caleigh's sixth or seventh whiff, I figured it was time to say
something (or have her life-flighted to Mike Barge's emergency
clinic at Hazeltine National).
" Just have fun, buddy, " I said. " And try to hit the ball. "
Don Berry, I am not.
Apparently, telling someone who can't hit the ball to try and
hit the ball makes them miss the ball. Who knew?
A couple of holes later, Jessica hit a nice shot. Then dad hit
one close.
" You're just like Tiger Woods ... you know, when he was
good, " Caleigh said at a time when Eldrick had been struggling,
48
MINNESOTAGOLFER Spring 2018
though still a mite better than Caleigh's pop.
A few more holes. A lot more whiffs.
I thought of the advice a starter once gave me on the first tee
in Myrtle Beach a couple of decades or so ago. The old man
patted me on the back, looked me straight in the eye and said,
" Young fella, swing hard in case you hit it. "
Now didn't seem like the time to share that one, though, so I
" I prayed for one of
Caleigh's balls to
leave Mother Earth
for any length of
time. And one did-
hitting me right in
the chest. "
kept it light and prayed for just one of Caleigh's X-out balls to
leave Mother Earth for any length of time.
And one did-hitting me right in the chest.
Never has getting beaned felt so good (and
been so funny). There are relatives who aren't
even born yet who are going to be told about
the time Caleigh beaned me at Eagle Lake.
Finally, we made our way to the last hole.
A 62-yarder with a greenside bunker to
the right.
" Don't hit it in the trap, " I said.
" What's a trap? " they asked.
" The sand up there, " I said.
" Why do they call it a trap? " Caleigh asked.
" Because if you go in there, it's impossible
to get out, " I said.
Yeah, I know. It's not impossible. And I
shouldn't have passed down my knee-knocking fear of the first
of two shots it takes me to exit a bunker. But let's face it, most
people would like to adopt my father-in-law's No. 1 rule of golf:
" Senior rules, " which he'd always say while reaching for the rake
that would improve his lie.
Back at Eagle Lake, the Big Three putt out. Caleigh takes a
hard right. She marches into the bunker, makes a couple of
circles and exits with a puzzled look on her face.
" Dad, " she said, " I didn't have any trouble at all getting out
of that sand. "
Ha.
That scene took 60 seconds. And yet, years later, I still think
about it and smile inside whenever I step into a sand bunker.
Mark Craig is the NFL/Vikings columnist and a golf writer for
the Star Tribune.
mngolf.org
http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Spring 2018

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