A Proud Sister and a Little on Caddying...

            I am bursting at the seams, and I want to share some good news.  My brother qualified for the PGA Championship a couple of weeks ago!   He has been playing golf since my dad placed a club in his hands when he was 3.  It has been his lifelong dream, and I am so proud of his perserverence and dedication.  

     When he qualified, my dad (also a pro) was caddying for him and he was just beaming - so proud of the son he helped become the player he is today.  One of Micah's sons ran up to him after his final round in Oregon and excitedly asked, "Daddy, does this mean we get to go see Tiger Woods?!"   Micah replied, "It sure does buddy." and little Cristoffer ran off yelling to his brother and mom, "Mom! Jakob!  We get to go see Tiger Woods!!"  Too cute. 

     Last weekend I caddied for my brother in the Colorado Open.  I don't care for Denver much, not because of the city itself, but it brings back memories I would just as well forget.  However, on the bright side of things, I didn't pass out from carrying a bag full of clubs 7 miles each day for 4 days in the wretched heat, nor did I cause him any penalty strokes.  Sure, I grabbed a club out of the wrong bag once but luckily he noticed.  (Needless to say, I am not in high demand for caddying jobs)  

     Golf is a sport in which good sportsmanship and respect abound.  Everyone plays their own game, assists in finding a ball if needed, they give eachother encouragement, and each respects the time it takes to play your shot.  It shows in the lack of movement and stillness within the group and gallery.   

     I found I had to be a servant, totally giving of myself and put him first.  (Hard to do when the person happens to be someone who used to pull your hair and try to pass gas on you when you were kids)  It isn't just about carrying a person's clubs.  You have to be careful where to stand, pull the pin, tend the pin, hand the pin off, where to leave the clubs, being careful where you stand and walk, when you can talk, when you can and can't rake the trap, estimate yardage, find distance markers, making sure his needs are met regarding food and hydration, sunscreen, being prepared for the next shot, keeping score for the other player, keeping up with fast walkers, cleaning clubs, reading greens, familiarizing yourself with the course, etc...  I had no idea it was so stressful. 

     He had just played in the National Championship the weekend before, so many of his peers came up to congratulate him on qualifying and telling him they watched him on tv.  It felt like being with a mini celebrity.  :)  It was just he and I in Denver so it gave us a great opportunity to bond and we had a lot of fun.  He was leading up until the last hole and ended up taking second, which still afforded him a good paycheck but the money isn't the main reason he plays.  My dad always taught him to play from the heart, because it is what he loves to do.  There were times over the years when Micah would struggle and I would look over at my dad and he would be pointing at his heart and nodding his head.  Micah knew what he meant. 

     Our entire family and long time family friends will be in Tulsa in August to support him and to watch his dream unfold.  It will be so sweet seeing MIcah take his first swing on the first tee of Southern Hills and looking over at my 68 year old dad - proudly standing there next to Micah's golf bag, readily waiting to haul that thing around in the biggest tournament of their lives.  It will be a fulfilling day.  We will feel his jitters and love the excitement.  I just can't tell you how happy we all are for him.  

     Hard work really does pay off and he certainly deserves it, regardless of how he plays.  Just getting there is the biggest accomplishment of all. 

- A Very Proud Sister