I have had a long time love affair with the game of golf. I came by it through my father. He was a humble man, a product of WWII, and I am an early Boomer born in 1950. Dad used the GI bill to get an undergraduate and a graduate degree after the Army had sent him to the University of Chicago for 2 years so he could teach radio operators in the field how to troubleshoot and repair their equipment. He was from a working class family and was the only one of 6 children to get a college education. He even had Enrico Fermi (Nobel Laureate) as a professor for a Physics class. He became a secondary school teacher spending 37 years inspiring his students, many of whom I still communicate with. He was the kindest, most respectful man I ever met.
He cut down a 5 iron when I was 10 or so and I would caddy for him pulling his cart. After we were away from the clubhouse, always at a public course since he never had a desire to join a country club, I would pull out the 5 iron and would hit a few balls. His playing partners were mostly average income people, often other educators. They were always fun and respectful men who treated me wonderfully.
Over the years I became more interested in the game. When I was 13 I was able to get a $75 junior membership at the local Municipal course. I played on my HS golf team. I find it to be a very Zen game. It is about mind/body coordination. When I have had my lowest handicap, in the high single digits although I have ballooned to a 14 now, there was a rhythm to the game and to my life. A good golf game can translate into a stable life. (Notice I said can not will.)
Golf for me was never about status. I have been a member of several clubs in my life. I never exactly fit in although I was able to become a part of various groups of players. Over the years the conservative political and social attitudes of the people I played with was something I had to deal with. I try to be respectful to them and try to not engage in, and redirect if possible, the comments and discussions about women, liberals, immigrants, etc. Since Obama took office it has been more difficult. Awful statements about him and liberals in general have increased. When Hillary became Secretary of State and then announced she was running for President it became terrible for me. Most of the time I would speak up and shut it down.
But I have had enough! A few days before the election I received an email from a member of a golf league I am in that was forwarded from some conservative site about Huma Abedin claiming to prove she was an operative for terrorists. I am dropping out of the league. I cannot be part of it. I will no longer be able to hold my tongue and just enjoy the game and competition, I would get angry quickly and let them know how misinformed and mean they are. That is not how I want to play the game. I no longer want to play with people who have those attitudes. I am looking to share my passion for the game of golf with people who respect others of all kinds and have a caring attitude about the world. I am sure there are others out there like me. Let me know if you would like a playing partner who wants to enjoy the game and the camaraderie without the conservative attitudes.
John-Michael Caldaro