Your Game's Origins

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.