Throwback Thursday

Throwback Thursday

In July 1981, when I was 20 years old, I was a golf instructor / counselor-in-training at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club -- https://www.pineneedleslodge.com/ -- which ran Golfari, a golf school / camp for adults (one week) and children (two weeks, ages 10 to 18, formerly 8 to 18) in Southern Pines, North Carolina. I attended almost every summer from age 11 in 1972 to age 19 in 1980. I was given special permission to attend as a "camper" when I was 19 years old.

As per tradition, on the last day of the kids camp, the instructors / counselors served the kids their dinners in the usual dining room. Here I am (in July 1981; age 20), wearing a waiter's jacket, and holding a fork and a half-eaten bowl of salad, as I helped clear the tables.

You know, I got flack from the director / owner of the resort for sporting a moustache. I thought it would be OK because the previous July, an instructor / counselor had one. He let me keep it.

During July 1981, I had the honor of playing a round at Pine Needles with PGA touring / teaching pro Pat McGowan, who at the time was the boyfriend (future husband) of the daughter of the resort owners. He helped my game immensely. He was like a machine. I shot an 82. He set the course record at that time with a 64. Amazing.

One summer in the 1970s, when I was a teenager at the school / camp, I eagled the par-four 18th hole. I hit a long drive and then a strong nine iron. The ball hung on the lip of the cup. By the time my three golfing buddies and I reached the green, the ball had dropped into the hole.