Seve Ballesteros learned the game on the beach near his home in
Pedrena, Cantabria, Spain. During his prime, Seve looked at home
playing the seaside links of Scotland.
I was no more than twelve years old when my father tried to introduce me to golf. After a few lessons we ventured out to the local chip and putt. I enjoyed myself and was confident enough to request a trip to a "real course." After two hours basketball never looked better. It was too hot and I couldn't see the hole. "Where is it?" "Just aim that way," my father said.
About 10 years later a friend invited me out to play at a local club on caddie Monday and my curiosity with the game finally caught hold. I hit my share of shanks, duffs, tops, whiffs and the like but I'm sure I stuck a few squarely. I borrowed a set of old Taylor Made blades (I wasn't aware they were not the clubs for me) and sought a cheap course where my lack of eminence would keep embarrassment to a minimum. I found it not far from my home growing up. Valley Forge Golf Club was where I learned to really love golf.
The course itself was in decay, a recent sale of the property left the owners in a state of ambivalence. But it was cheap and it was fun. I could show up at any time and get out for some holes, often for less than $20. Super twilight rate: $10 after six. That should give some idea of the condition of the course. The tee boxes were missing grass, the greens were furry and some fairways were non-existent but my tastes had not yet sophisticated, I was still learning the simple things like etiquette, how to mark a ball on the green, and the rules.
If I hadn't learned the game there, and if the course was still around, you probably couldn't pay me to play a round at Valley Forge. But this humble course was where I first discovered golf's endless supply of minor pleasantries. The sound of shafts clacking together as bags are lifted and carried down the fairway, a warm 8 o'clock breeze in August with just enough sunlight left, conversations with strangers turned golfing friends likely to never meet again. I didn't discover all of what I love about the game at Valley Forge, just enough to keep me playing and searching for more.
