Friday, February 02, 2007 How was your first golf tournament? By Imee Garcia
THIS is such a fun question to ask any golfer. If you get to meet a golfer and ask him that question, look at his face. No matter how terrible his first tournament was, he usually makes a silly facial expression at first and with a nice smile and lots of excitement, he starts to tell you what happened. He'll say at first, "ohhhhhh!" or "ewwww!" or "hahaha!" or "yikes!" or "oh My God!" Then say how embarrassing it was. Sometimes, it takes him forever to finish his story, so be prepared to listen...for a long time.
It sure does bring back memories. I remember my first golf tournament, the first time I heard the phrase "On the tee, Imee Garcia" on the megaphone, (with everyone around watching) I was so very nervous, and I was praying. At first, I prayed, "Lord, please make sure I hit the ball straight and far," then, after a few seconds, I changed my prayer to--"Lord, never mind `far,' just please make sure I hit it straight." Then after my practice routine, and after addressing the ball and getting ready to make my backswing, I changed my prayer again to--Lord, never mind `far,' and never mind `straight,' just please make sure I hit the ball..period!"
No one expects you to do well and score well on your first tournament. Expect the worst. Murphy's Law--what can go wrong, will go wrong. Expect a high score, more than a hundred strokes. (A note to non-golfers-the more the strokes, the worse the score) I will bow at players who scored less than 100 on their first tournament.
Regardless of how terrible your game was, and regardless of how many strokes you've had, just make sure you finish the game. It says a lot about a person, you know, if you quit in the middle of the game, I mean. And the people around you will notice that bad trait of you. Don't be a quitter. Finish with pride! And go back to the driving range where you belong. Hahaha!
Please make sure to check all the scores--yours and your playing partner's. Please don't forget to sign the scorecard and let your playing partner sign too, or else, you both will be disqualified.
I remember the number of times my ball went to the sand trap and I couldn't get it out. I remember the number of times I missed short putts (which I still do even at present). I remember the expression on my playing partners--that frustrating look, being paired with a super beginner, wishing they could blast and putt for me so we can finally move on to the next hole and maybe finish the game before the moon comes out.
The first golf tournament jitters...I feel like covering my face just thinking about it. But I got through it. I wonder if the other golfers experienced what I felt then--the trembling knees, the shaking hands, perspiration, stiffness of the body, praying for a good first shot, heart pounding fast, doing a `look-up' after the shot, which is obviously wrong. Haha! Well, there's only one way to find out...ask them the question.
FYI, Chihiro "Chichang" Ikeda, my 15-year old golf buddy is now with the Philippine Ladies Golf Team based in Manila. I am so proud of her! I spoke to her last night. She is on her way to China along with another fellow Filipino junior player. She is a half Japanese-half Filipino Davaoena--another great golfer in the making. Let's all hope she does well in China. Let's all wish her luck and include her in our prayers.
