By: Charles W. Boatright, celebrating the American Dream
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and Thomas Jefferson are among some of the prolific thinkers, writers, and framers to have pined two of our nation’s most important documents that recognize the opportunities of the individual to achieve their full potential. The two opening statements of each document are powerful and inspiring statements to all that hold these to be basic rights that all men and women pursue and aspire to:
From the Declaration of Independence:
‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’
From the Constitution of the United States:
‘We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.’
One avenue that champions these deeply-held beliefs is the arena of athletics and, specifically, the sport of golf. Some of the most important events in the sport of golf provide the opportunity to all participants, regardless of status or country of origin, to compete in. The amateur golfer can stand on the same field of dreams and compete at the highest level and achieve what would be considered an impossible dream in any other field of endeavor.
One organization in particular that encourages this opportunity is the LPGA. One event in particular is the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship. Among the 144 women golfers playing in this three-day tournament are three amateur golfers, Maria Fassi, Alana Uriell, and Regina Pasencia, from the University of Arkansas Ladies Razorback golf team, and two former Razorbacks who are now professional players, Stacy Lewis and Gaby Lopez. The Pinnacle Golf Course is playing host to this tournament that is located in Rogers, Arkansas, just about 30 miles north of the campus of The University of Arkansas, Home of the Razorbacks, on Highway 70.
What is remarkable about this particular tournament is providing three amateur golfers from the same golf program with the opportunity to play their sport. Sports has always been one of the greatest promenades that has lead society toward equality. Any golfer can stand on the same field as professionals and play the same course under the same conditions. This is true equality and pursuit of a dream.
But what college golf has accomplished is developing an international exchange program with other countries by bringing talent into an academic setting, like that of Gaby Lopez. Like other college golf programs, the Arkansas program has provided an avenue for young people all over the world and within its borders to develop their athletic skills, while obtaining an education that is based on an exchange of ideas and views. One promising young lady that will be attending The University of Arkansas this fall, to keep your eye on, is Ms. Kaylee Benton. She is a gifted and humble young lady who is returning to finish her education and college career in golf.
I personally have stood on the same tee box where some of the greatest professionals have stood in golf, like many other amateur golfers have, and stared down the fairways of some of the most beautiful vistas and wondered if this is what Heaven is like. It is almost like being at a historical moment and following the same course as these professional with each golf shot. The results might not be the same outcome, but the same opportunity is provided to each of us.
There was one moment in time that was similar to this type of moment. It was called the ‘Game of the Century‘ between the No. 1 Texas Longhorns and No. 2 Arkansas Razorbacks’ football teams when they met on December 6th, 1969. I was just eleven years old, as I sat in the stadium where I not only saw The Game of the Century, with my granddad, Hemi Q. Boatright, but also experienced my first Presidential visit as I saw President Richard M. Nixon, who was at the game to present the championship trophy. I still remember Marine One landing outside the Razorback stadium where President Nixon was escorted to his seat. Razorback stadium at that time did not have sky boxes.
These is why we enjoy sports — to view and participate in, as we try to achieve the impossible dream where the only guarantee we have is our ability and the opportunity to compete regardless of our status, beliefs, hopes, or dreams.
I wish Arkansas losing to Texas by one point did came down to an Interference call, but if Arkansas could have scored in the fourth quarter the game of the century would had different outcome. Arkansas lead 14 to zero for three quarters. On the opening play of the fourth quarter, Texas scored on the opening drive and went for two point conversion. Arkansas drove down to the Texas seven yard line and threw an interception that Texas capitalized on to win the game, Texas 15, Arkansas 14. There will be always questionable calls that are decided in spit seconds.
Arkansas before 1992 was a part of the Southwest Conference (SWC). One of the biggest rivalry games in the SWC was toward the end of the football season between Arkansas and Texas, where 90 percent of the rivalry was mental. It wasn’t just limited to a week leading up to the game, but practically on the minds of players and fans for the entire season at least for the Arkansas fans. This created a situation where players and fans focus on beating Texas, the results. But games are won and lost before the game even starts, in how teams prepare for each game. Like Shawn Humphries mention on a radio program from Little Rock, AR, winning is a byproduct of practice, preparation, and experience. Teams got to get to a point that they belong in that situation. One of the keys in my book, The ESPY Golf Swing Coach, winning is a process, not just an event. And like Yogi Berra said about baseball that can also applies to winning, I substituted the word winning for the word baseball in Yogi’s quote, see the importance of how this reads: Winning is 90 percent mental, and the other half is physical.
Henry Ford had another quote about winning and losing- If you think you can do a thing, or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right!
One of the keys in improving your handicap and your golf game is to take a page out of the football play book called scrimmage games. While scrimmage games do not provide the actual game day situations, they are the next best process. I included in my book a practice routine I call the ‘405 Training Drill’. This allows the golfer to take their game from practice range to the golf course.
The ESPY Golf Swing Book
By: QATSPY GOLF Approach
Charles W. Boatright
Madison, MS
1-888-514-1228
www.espygolfapp.com
The ESPY Golf Swing Coach– Price for Paperback $15.75 and E-Book $8.99, Hardback is also available on my website: www.espygolfapp.com/store OR your local bookstore and also:
Lulu Publishing: The ESPY Golf Swing Coach, Charles W. Boatright
Amazon.com www.amazon.com/The-Espy-Golf-Swing-Coach/product-reviews/1483416356
Barnes & Noble.com http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-espy-golf-swing-coach-charles-w-boatright/1120604749
Check out my full library of BLOGS @ www.espygolfapp.com/blog or purchase your copy of “The ESPY Golf Swing Coach” @ www.espygolfapp.com/store.
Facebook – The QATSPY Golf Approach
Twitter – @cwboatright
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Once you learn WHY, you don’t forget HOW!
YouTube Videos:
https://youtu.be/ZGVNrIw_wlo (Cam & Cam-over elements)
https://youtu.be/K2FDHZ3AX9w (Figuring your proper swing plane)
https://youtu.be/TO82PMO6G8M (Developing muscle memory)
Two decisions that you can make for yourself and your kids are to get a copy of my book and place the book and a golf club into their hands. You will never look back, but only forward. You will not miss with this for yourself and/or your kids.
A Recommendation for your Golf Game:
I would like to recommend a wonderful radio program that I regularly listen to on my I-Heart Radio app on KARN 102.9 FM station, out of Little Rock, AR. They air a golf show called “Arkansas Fairways and Greens,” at 7:00 AM CT each Saturday morning, hosted by Bob Steel and Jay Fox. Bob occasionally has on his show a guest named Shawn Humphries, a Professional Golf Instructor from Dallas, Texas. One thing that Mr. Humphries stresses is the mental part of golf, not focusing on the results but the process.
Until next time– Be Synched, Tee-to-Green, with The ESPY Golf Swing!