The U.S. Women’s Open went off without a hitch. The sun and crowds came out. Our anticipated favorite, Michele Wie, won to our delight. I wish I could say the same for my own world as I was hit with an unexpected blow right in the middle of the tournament.
Wednesday afternoon I picked up my dog from my neighbor’s house and noticed he was acting kind of strange. Not wanting to miss my favorite beach music band, The Band of Oz, I quickly fed him and sped off to Southern Pines. Since dance and worry don’t make a good mix, I stayed for just about an hour then came home. Later, I went to give him his last potty break for the evening. As I reached for his collar, without any advanced notice, he turned around and feverously bit me.
Three trips to the vet and a day and a half later, on Friday at 3 pm, I had to put down my beloved American Eskimo Spitz, Teddy-boy. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. He fought a valiant fight against that dreaded disease of diabetes. At fourteen years old, a bacterial infection complicated his already weakened state and when he quit eating, he quickly debilitated beyond hope for recovery.
Death, loss, grief and two more days at the U.S. Open. You wouldn’t think those unlikely dynamics would make good playing partners, but somewhere in the heart of Providence, they did. As a performance coach, I am always thinking about how to accelerate progress in people’s lives. I knew going to the Opens for two more days would tremendously help to keep my mental focus outward. Continue reading →
I have taught golf for a long time and have heard just about every reason why someone wants to play golf and doesn’t want to play golf. Recently, however, a lady golfer came to me sharing a deep lament regarding her inner golf conflict that took the cake. Frustrated at her debilitating scores and heightening frustration, she had plaguing thoughts of quitting the game. She confessed to me, “I can’t quit golf. I have too many golf outfits!” Continue reading 
