Back
The outside world has some pretty concrete and specific stereotypes associated with golfers. But those of us inside the game know better. Part of what makes the golf community so great is that it welcomes all sorts of different personalities, from the straitlaced to 50 shades of eccentric.
I recently played a round with Rick Bennett, a building contractor in Brevard County, Florida, who owns course records at two area courses. An excellent player with designs on PGA Tour Champions Q-School, he is no one-track golfer, not even in the midst of a round. When we played together at Viera East Golf Club (his 63 from 14 years ago still stands), he took the opportunity during a few tee-box waits to get some other activities in. While we waited for the foursome in front of us to clear the 10th fairway, he cast his fishing line into a nearby lagoon. A couple holes later, he produced some competitive-grade disc-golf discs from the basket in his cart and let them fly down the fairway ("My second career," he said). His neoprene beer koozie headcovers added to his eclectic setup.
Then, when it was time to hit, Rick got right back to unleashing 300-plus yard drives from his 160-pound, 50-year-old frame and lacing majestic draws with his irons into the greens. Concentration and focus are important to playing great golf, but if taking the odd mid-round fishing break could loosen me up to hit the ball like Rick, I should head for the nearest tackle shop.
