Golfdom, May 2014

A BUCKET OF BALLS A BUCKET OF BEERS Keeping up with The Jones I asked what was next on the agenda for his birthday He didnt know but he knew what he wanted to do for his 13th birthday Come back here SETH JONES Editor in Chief Happy birthday Nathaniel I n the past four weeks Ive been on both Augusta National and Pinehurst No 2 But it was two miles from my front door at a driving range pitch and putt where I saw something I dont get to see often But Im guessing you do Its 9 a m on a Monday Jeff Burey a former pro at both Pinehurst and Prairie Dunes and I are standing there chatting when in walks Bill and Nathaniel Huffman Nathaniel is celebrating his 12th birthday and the one thing he asked for was that his dad take him to the driving range so they could smack some range balls Jeffs eyes lit up when he heard he had a first timer in his pro shop Nathaniels head was on a swivel soaking it all in Bill a twice a month golfer smiled recognizing he had brought his son to a friendly place for beginners As Jeff sent the Huffmans out with the jumbo bucket Update The question Ive been asked by readers most often recently is a fun one did I ever sell my Z28 Camaro I wrote about a few issues ago Its bittersweet to report that yes after reposting my 2002 Camaro on Craigslist this spring it quickly sold It went on two test drives A father and son who were looking to buy it as a replacement car for the Mustang that the 17 year old had just totaled both the Camaro and I trembled at the thought of this kid driving my car and a guy about my age who had owned a few other Camaros and was looking to get back into one With the guy my age he asked me if I minded him romping on it as we entered the interstate I told him to go for it this wasnt a minivan So he gave it everything pushing both of our eyeballs a little deeper into our heads than God ever intended Sold A few minutes later this guys dad showed up with an envelope full of cash A handshake later hes asking me if Id like a ride home There was a steakhouse nearby I had him drop me off there Buddy let me tell you that was the most bittersweet steak of my life But good news Ive since put my 1964 Impala in a friends garage to get some work done My days of driving a badass car arent dead yet Email Jones at sjones@ northcoastmedia net of balls 1250 he stopped Nathaniel one more time to hand him a junior sized 6 iron This is for you he said Your own golf club for your birthday Nathaniel smiled in awe As I finished up my lesson I walked over to see what Nathaniel thought of his first golf experience It was fun I liked it a lot I think I hit it pretty far he told me I asked him what was next on the agenda for his 12th birthday He didnt know but he knew what he wanted to do for his 13th birthday Come back here he said I get to see a lot of maintenance shops around the country get to interview a lot of really great superintendents sometimes equipment manufacturers even trust me to operate their machinery But seeing Bill and Nathaniel out there father and son enjoying a moment like that For just a little bit it took my mind off the business side of the game and reminded me about the pure enjoyment of the game Its something I hope you get to see often because for me it gave me a little extra focus It was a nice reminder that this game is great for reasons beyond making a buck or beautiful fairways or the well struck 5 iron Moments like Nathaniels 12th birthday which hell probably remember for the rest of his life make it especially great Happy birthday Nathaniel I hope you find many fairways in your golfing days 6 Golfdom May 2014 Golfdom com