Throwback Thursday

From husband Bill, August 13, 2026, home from the hospital on August 11, 2026, after 8 days in the hospital (with pneumonia)

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 (great guy) 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.

Oh, by the way, I met my first of only two girlfriends during the adult section of the school/camp in July 1981. We broke up in February 1982, and I would not have another girlfriend until November 2000. I married my second girlfriend in February 2006.