Golf In A Parallel Universe

by Jimmy Bloodworth

  “So, tell me about your parents. What do they like to do since they retired," I asked. She smiled and looked down at the table and said “They like to play golf." “Really?” I replied. “Yep they love it. My Dad used to play a lot when they were both young. My Mom got mad at him since he played so much. So she finally she started playing, and she became to like the game a lot as well. So they both been playing for years. Of course in Nebraska they could not play during the winter. And then working and raising kids did not give them much time to play. Since they moved down here to Florida they are taking advantage of their time and playing quite a bit.” “Wow that's great” I replied. “I bet your parents are good people," I would like to meet them someday.”

  “Actually, you have met them," she said smiling. “What," I said laughing and placing both hands on the table. “When?," I asked. She smiled. “When you were playing the TPC at Sawgrass, you were giving autographs. They came up and talked to you for a minute. They said you were really nice," she said smiling.

  “Wow, I am not sure if I remember. I see so many people at tournaments. Did they say what we were talking about?," I asked. “Well you told my dad “Go Huskers!." My eye’s lit up, “Yeah, Yeah, I remember now. Your dad had a Nebraska Football T Shirt on. They did not want an autograph, they just wanted to shake my hand and meet me. I thought that was very nice," I told her smiling. “Yeah that was them," she said laughing. “You made a big impression on them, they thought you were a nice young man." My dad already had tickets to the TPC. I told him that I had met you in New York after your Masters win and we have got to know each other. They just wanted to make a point to meet you. “Wow, that is great. I would like to meet them again sometime," I told her. “Maybe so” she replied smiling.

  We finished lunch and just of hung out. It was a nice day, and we walked for awhile and just talked. It did not really seem like dating mode yet. But seemed to be getting close. I just felt so comfortable with her. I felt like I have known her for years. She is so down to earth and easy to talk to. Finally about 3:00pm, we were winding down, and she said she needs to get back. I told her, I need to do the same. It was one of those moments where we both were not sure what to say next. First of all, I am dumb at this stuff. I do not know if she likes me or just becoming friends. I have been though that friend thing a lot with girls in my life with no romance. I guess that is fine. But I sure feel like I want more with this. “But how do I know?” I ask myself.

  Finally I say. “You know things are pretty busy with me right now, I am right in the middle of the tour season and next week is a biggie, the US Open. However this week I have set aside to for some casual working on my game and some well needed rest. If you have some time the next few days, this week, I would love to see you again," I told her. “Well” she said putting her finger to her chin thinking. “I know the next couple of days, I will be pretty busy as well. My little brother is coming down from Nebraska tomorrow. He just graduated from The University Nebraska. “Great!” I replied. “My Aunt and Uncle are coming down as well. So it will be a busy for me the next few days," she told me.

  “Oh, no problem. I know you have family and it is good to get together with everyone," I told her. “Yeah, it really is, she said smiling,." “You know,," she said thinking. “My dad has plans Saturday afternoon, for a barbecue. little graduation party for my brother. If you would like to join us, we would be happy to have you.” Then she laughed with an embarrassing laugh. “Of course, I know you may not feel like being thrust into a family type situation like this," she said smiling.

  “Ah, No big deal," I replied. “I would love to attend. I love those type of gathering with family and friends," I told her. “Well that will be great," she replied. "My family is really easy going. We will just hang out for a while have some good food and conversation," she told me. “Sounds good, do I need to bring anything," I asked. “Oh, no don’t worry about bringing anything. It will be super casual." “Sounds good to me." I replied. So we firmed up the plans, and she gave me the address and everything. When it was time for our goodbye, surprisingly enough it was not stressful at all. She just shook my hand, and we went on our way.

  As I was driving home, I was thinking. I was happy but also a little confused. It's great that she invited me to meet her family, but what does that mean? As a stupid single guy, it is hard to read these things. Is this just a friend thing? She has not really showed any true affection or flirtation and I have not either. We just meet and talk, not really a date right? This stuff drives me crazy. Then I started thinking. Do I really know this girl? I know for a fact that there a lot of girls, or tour groupies that follow guys on the tour. They think we got money, which I never really had until recently. And they fool some young tour pros and before they know it they cause all kinds of problems. Trick them into marriage take their money, all kinds of things. But I don't think Emily is that type of girl, but you never know. Maybe she just thinks I am a famous golfer, and she wants me to meet her parents because they like golf. So silly of me to think of these things. But I just do not know this girl. Maybe, Just maybe, she really likes me? This is all so confusing to me.

  Finally, I get home and I am a happy, been a good day. But still confused. I grab a beer and try to think about all this. I feel so stupid going through this at 32 years old. Most people my age are married and have kids. “Oh well” I tell myself, and least I am having a good time. I really enjoy being around her and I hope it works out. Then I remember. My buddy John in New York who I saw when I was there for the Today’s and the Tonight's show. I remember he said he had a friend that worked at CBS and they worked in the same business and they may know Emily. Last time I talked to him, he said he had not talked to his friend about her. But maybe he has since then. I decide to give him a call and ask. So I gave him a call, and we talked for a while. We talked a lot about golf. I told him what I have been through the last few weeks on revamping my game and all.

  Finally, I asked. “Hey remember that girl Emily from NBC that I met?” “Oh Yeah” he replied. I told him all about how she had quit NBC and is down here with her parents for a while and we have seen each other a couple of times. I told him that she invited me to the family barbecue this Saturday. I told him about my concerns. I do not really know her that well and just curious if he ever talked to his friend about her. “Well, as a matter fact I have” he replied . As I told you before I have a friend that does the same type of work that Emily did at NBC. I asked her about Emily a few days ago and she told me that Emily had quit her job. And she told me a little about Emily. “I am all ears” I told him, “What can you tell me about her?," I asked. I was very nervous on what I may hear. Well, my buddy John sensed that I was really concerned about this and he was not going to let me off the hook easily. He was setting me up. “Well, not sure if I should tell you” he said slowly. “What, what” I asked quickly and nervously. “You said that she wants you to meet her parents?," he asked. “Yes," I replied. “Seriously?," he asked with a serious tone. “Yeah, Yeah, what's up?” I asked impatiently. He just took a deep breath. “Well you know, she had access to a lot of people that came through NBC. Lots of political figures, and all kinds of people," tells me.

  “Yeah, Yeah” I said anxiously. “Well, it was he perfect cover for her. I hate to tell you my friend. But my sources tell me that Emily is a." And he paused for a few seconds. I was really on the edge of my seat. “A Russian Spy."

  For about two seconds I bought it. Then I realized. “Oh shut up!," I yelled out. And he just died laughing on the other end of the phone. And then I started laughing. “Ok you got me," I told him laughing.

  Then he told me what he found about Emily. She is a great person. She was loved by all of her coworkers and other people in the business. She did a great job at NBC. She was very good at her job, professional and personable. And she had some good friends. But she was just not the New York type of girl. She was a small town midwest girl. Everyone took her under her wing. She had some really goo
d friends and they miss her. But they understand that show business and New York lifestyle is just not for her. And he told me she had a lot of guys in the show business hit on her. Even very rich guys. But she never fell for that. She realized that they were phonies, and she had nothing to do with them. She has strong values and hung out with her friends.

  "I don’t think she dated much at all. So what I can tell you Jim. Is that she is a really good sincere down-to-earth person and if you have chance to get to know her, then you will be very fortunate," he told me.

  “Wow." I replied. I thanked him for the info, then he started joking with me again. Giving me a hard time about dating. We had some good laughs. He is playing in the US Open Next week. We will see each other then. He he told me to keep him posted on my adventure with Emily. I thanked him for the info and we said goodbye. After I hung up I felt really good. At least I know a little more about Emily. I know she is not one of those tour groupies. I feel like there may be a possibility of a relationship with her.

  I got a big week ahead of me. I sat down and planned out the rest of the week. My whole goal is the US Open next week so I have to be focused. Tonight is Wednesday night. I will leave Monday for Pinehurst North Carolina. Tomorrow and Friday I will work a lot on my game. I plan to really concentrate on my short game the next couple of days. Also, I want to work on my swing and the techniques that Gus taught me. I plan to put in some good work the next two days, but not tire myself out. Then Saturday I will just take the day off. Hang around that morning and then drive to Emily's parents house in Tampa, which is about an hour’s drive. Then Sunday, I work on my game a little and then get ready to head out to Monday morning. I have plenty of time to work on my game until tee off time next Thursday.

  The next two days I really work on my short game. I worked on my chipping for hours Thursday and Friday. Lots of around the green shots. I also worked a lot on chips that would be way off the green, such as if I was chipping from the rough. Or where the gallery would be if I got in trouble. I know that at the since this is the US Open, the course will be tough. And a good short game can get you out of bad situations. I also worked a lot of 40 to 50 yard chip shots. I doubt if I will be laying up much, but you never can tell. I just really want to focus on my short game this week like Zack recommended. I also focused on my putting. The greens will be fast and you need to have a good putting stroke. I cannot remember the last time I focused on chipping and putting like I have this week. And this was because of Zack’s recommendations. He seems to always be right on his recommendations. I have no reason to doubt him and that's why I am doing this. If my short game saves me just a couple of strokes next week, it may be the difference between winning and losing.

  Also these two days I worked on my swing. I did not him a ton of balls like I tend to do. Instead I worked on quality instead of quantity. I concentrated on what Gus had worked with me on. And I worked on adapting to my new distance’s with my irons. And most of all I worked on my tempo. At the end of the day on Friday I feel that I am ready for the US Open. I really feel like I have a chance to win this thing.

  Friday night I decided to call my caddie Zack. We firm up plans for next week. We will both be in Pinehurst Monday afternoon. I tell him that I feel good and I have worked a lot on the short game this week. Zack is really excited as well. And for good reason. Up until a few weeks ago, he was working for a burned out professional golfer hardly making any money. It was a struggle for him and I am sure he was looking at other options. But now, he has made some great money the last few weeks. And I can tell that he really is having fun. It is nice to see that I have been able to affect his life in a positive way. We just talk for a few minutes. I tell him about my big plans tomorrow with Emily’s family. He jokes with me a little about dating and meeting her parents. But at the same time tells me that is great that I may have someone new in my life. I agree and we wind things down and hang up.

  I grab a beer and think about things. I take a look at the mail that I got out the mailbox on my way in. And I notice something that I thought was just junk mail. But I realize that it was a postcard. I picked it up and took a look. And in handwriting I read “Good job last week at the Memorial Tournament. Your tempo was excellent. Good luck next week. Gus." Wow! A postcard from Gus. I laugh because I have not seen a postcard since I was a little kid. I did not even know that those are used anymore. But then I remember that Gus is stuck in the 70’s. I laugh. There will be not text or tweets coming from Gus. But I am so happy he acknowledged me. He must have seem me playing last week on TV. And he does not give compliments easily, so it made me feel good. That just reinforces me to keep up with the plan that he has laid out for me with my swing. So I relax and think about things. Then I realize that tomorrow is Saturday and I will be seeing Emily again with her family. I am a little nervous about that. But I am ready.

  Saturday Morning I sleep late. I get up and eat breakfast and take it easy. The day is set. I will leave about 3:30 this afternoon and be at Emily's place about 4:30pm or so. I hang out during the day and I am a little nervous. Finally the time comes and I drive to Tampa. As I am driving I am really wondering what this will be like. Will it be uncomfortable? Will it be fun? What is my real relationship with Emily? Is this the beginning of a real romantic relationship? Or is it a continuation of just a friendship relationship? Finally I arrive. They live in a nice place. I get out and walk to the front door. Emily seems me coming, and she comes out to greet me. We say hello and I think she sensed that I was nervous. We chatted for a couple of minutes in the front of the house.

  “Let's go to the backyard where we are all hanging out," she told me. We go through the house and go out the back door. “Wow! what a nice view," I told her in a surprised tone. They had lake in the back of the house. This is lakeside community and there are houses all around the lake. They have a nice big back yard with a nice view. There are people in white lawn chairs and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. She starts to introduce me to everyone. She introduced me to her parents first, and I shook her dad's hand. “Hey, I remember you” I said laughing. He just laughed and said “We just wanted to meet you that day, you were very gracious.” At at the same time I shook her Mom's hand, and we all exchanged greetings.

  It was really strange. Within 30 seconds, I felt totally at ease. Her family was just so nice and so down to earth. I met the rest of the family and they were great. Then her dad handed me a beer “Have a beer!," he said smiling. “Hey, I like this guy” I joked as I took the beer. We just visited and talked. They asked me about life on the tour and how they have been following me since I won the Masters. But they did not dwell on golf. It was just good conversation and have a good time.

  It felt like when I was a kid in college. Sometimes I would go home on the weekend with my buddies and meet their family and we all got to be good friends. Even today, I still communications with my old buddies and their family. That's what it felt like here. Only this time I am not in college. And my buddie is a woman that I am hoping to have a relationship with. We all have a good time and eat some good barbecue. I also feel like Emily is getting closer to me now. I know both of us are being cautious around the family. But I feel like we are making a connection. After we ate. We walked down by the lake and out of view from her family. We were just walking and enjoying the view and we suddenly held hands. It was funny. She did not initiate it nor did I. I think we were both a little surprised but we both enjoyed it. After those first few seconds holding her hand, it felt totally natural. She thanked me for coming down and we just talked. We walked around by the lake and enjoyed being together. Nothing serious, just good conversation. “Gosh I like this girl” I told myself.

  Eventually we made it back up to the house. Things are winding down and I start to get ready to leave. Everyone shakes my hands and tells me good luck next week in the US Open. I thank her parents sincerely for having me here and Emily walks me out to the car. We talk a few minutes. “So, what your plans for the rest the
summer?” I asked. “I am not sure at this point. I gave myself a year off. I have never done this before. “This is all new for me” she said laughing. She told me she will probably stay here for another month or so. She said she may want to go back to teaching school.

  Finally it is good bye time. And as a stupid single guy. I never know what to do. But thankfully she did. She gave me a big long hug. She looked at me and said, “I know you are busy, just give me a call or text me anytime if you feel like talking. I am sure we will have time to meet again this summer," she said smiling. “Absolutely, I said. Then she gave a nice not too long but not too quick kiss and said good night. And and smiled and walked away. “Thank God”! I said to myself as I got in the car and drove away.

  “Thank God she took that step," I said to myself. Now I know. This is not just a friend thing. As I drove home all the scenarios went into my head on what this could turn out to be. And of course I have done that many times in my single life. But this is the first time it really felt real.

  Chapter 11: The US Open

  My Plane touches down at 11:00am Monday morning. “Welcome to Pinehurst North Carolina," I tell myself. I am ready for this. I get my car and drive to the course. In the professional Golf world you have your normal weekly tournaments. And then you have your majors. In Golf you have four majors. The Masters, The US Open, The British Open, and the PGA. Each one of these would be like the Super Bowl in Football, or the World Series in Baseball. This week is the US Open. It is the dream of any professional Golfer to just win one of Majors in their career. The elite players win several of the Majors in their career. I have been fortunate to win one, which was the Masters. Now I want to make a run for a second major this week. The Majors are a big deal, and you can tell right away as you approach the course. There is a lot going on here. There are several temporary tent type buildings. The building have everything you can imagine as far as support staff, security, administration etc. And then you have large Pavilions for the public which sells all the US Open merchandise and the crowds cannot get enough of them.