#He is however interested in putt putt golf

[mourningperson]

My sweet boy has fallen into a career that largely involves golfing as a form of bonding between coworkers. He is not built for this.

[kkayyerr]

Puppy!reader with season 1!Rafe and he is trying to play golf and wants her to focus on him but she keeps getting distracted.. then he gets all rough and like manhandles her.

Ugh! It’s a need!

Attention seeker.

Summary: Rafe hates when his little girl is not paying attention to him. Luckily, he has his ways to help her stay focused.

Pairing: Frat!Daddy!Rafe x Little!puppy!reader.

Warnings: Age regression, Rafe being a meanie, mostly fluff.

Rafe loved the attention, especially from you. He liked how you would watch him do anything with those small glimpses in your eyes.

It was kind of adorable. 

Especially you liked watching him play golf, clapping your little hands every time when the ball would reach the right spot. You would cheer him up even if the ball wouldn’t reach the hole, because usually you were just excited to be there and support your Daddy through his game.

However, today Rafe noticed that your attention was centered around something else. Those goddamn coloring books that he had bought you earlier. He didn’t mind you being quiet and calm, but right now he wanted to see you paying attention to him and not those childish drawings. 

 

„Hey, baby! Are you watching?”

 

Rafe called out to see your reaction, and he smiled softly at you when you finally raised your head, distracting yourself from coloring. You nodded quickly, even though you clearly couldn’t tell what he was doing the last couple of minutes. You waited until Rafe would turn around and then got your eyes back on the coloring book. 

How would Rafe notice that you are not paying attention? 

After all, he was too busy playing golf to check on you every five seconds.

Or at least you thought so. 

Rafe made another attempt at hitting the ball with the club but missed it. That small mistake made him very frustrated, but what angered him even more is that he hasn't heard any cheering noises from you. He turned around just to see you sitting in the same place, holding crayons in both of your hands and completely ignoring his presence. 

Your behavior was starting to piss him off. 

Rafe dropped the club onto the ground and headed towards you. He approached you quickly, not giving you any chances to explain yourself before harshly yanking your shoulders. 

 

„Baby, do you forget what you have to look at, or am I just not interesting to you anymore, huh?”

 

You tilted your head down, immediately hiding your embarrassed face from him. You dropped your crayons down and slowly closed the coloring book. Your cheeks turned red because of his words, and his sharp tone almost made you tear up. He had rarely spoken to you in that tone when you were regressed. Only if you would do something really bad. 

His fingers grabbed your chin, and he quickly forced your head up, holding tight enough to bring your attention but not too tight to make it actually hurt. 

 

„I asked you a question.”

 

You looked at him, trying to figure out what to say to make him less mad at you, but it seems like you screwed up badly this time. Your eyes teared up from the overwhelming feelings of guilt and fear of him leaving, so you shook your head to swipe the tears away.

 

„I won’ do it `gain, Daddy.” 

 

Your voice was shaky, but you still needed to speak up like a big girl for him to forgive you, so you took a deep breath before continuing. 

 

„I love you more than coloring!”

 

Rafe chuckled at your childish statement, but for you those were big and meaningful words. He finally let go of your chin and picked you up into his arms, letting you rest your head on his shoulder and relax for a little bit. Rafe then went back to the golf cart and put you inside, placing you on one of the seats, so you would have an amazing view of him. 

He gave you a small kiss on the forehead and ruffled your hair a little bit too rough before stepping aside and heading back to the putt. 

 

„Don’t you even dare move an inch, puppy.”

 

He said, and you nodded obediently, fixating your big eyes on him. For the rest of the day you were cheering him up, giving the loudest applause that you could, just so he would get back into the cart and reward you with some kisses and hugs.

Taglist: @tinylilacbun @aew-regression-cove @rafecameronsloverrrrr

[pleasereadmeok]

 “I thought, I should give that go! Why don’t I give it a crack?”

A very young Matthew Goode - who had recently decided that he might as well try being an actor!

@asgoodeasgold 's post today reminded me about this. From Matthew's biography page on matthew-goode.net. [I wrote this a LOOOOOONG time ago so don't judge 😂]

He does remember ‘performing’ from an early age – “Probably being the youngest and fighting for attention is something to do with it.”  “I’d always been someone who sang in the choir. I was head chorister of my choir at my prep school and we did school plays and bits and bobs.”  [Backstage]

Jenny Goode (Matthew's mum) was also an amateur theatre director –  “She did have a huge passion for the theatre, though, and ran The Campion Players, the local amateur dramatics group. She involved me from a young age. I always thought that actors were an incredibly fun bunch and smart with it.” [Red] Matthew has been on stage since a young age.  He remembers playing a singing rodent in ‘The Wind and the Willows’ when he was about 6. Matthew’s mum says – “From an early age in junior school productions, I saw that he had considerable presence on stage and found learning both the script and the music very easy. At that age of course children show a wide area of abilities, he particularly loved all forms of sport and had a good ear for singing and playing a musical instrument.”  [Devon live]

He says that his mum was an orphan and joked that – “She genuinely at one point thought she was Laurence Olivier’s love child. She had an incredible passion for it.”  [Herald Scotland]

[Matthew with his mum Jenny at the Brideshead Revisited premiere / Richard Young]

Matthew enjoyed being around theatres, amateur actors and being out until late in a “Brilliant adult fantasy word.” [Clocktower Radio].  However he never considered acting as a career and as he got older he got shy about performing because he tended to be a blusher.   He admits that his first kiss was on stage – “Michelle Halford was her name – she was a little minx.” “We had a kiss on stage.  It wasn’t particularly enjoyable but it was my first.”[New York Times Screen Test interview]  Unfortunately he gave up acting in his teens because he went red on stage, [Guardian] and he was more interested in sport, “so it sort of went on the back burner a bit” [Backstage]. Matthew didn’t take up acting again until he was in Sixth Form (about 17). Meanwhile Matthew excelled in sport.  Matthew Rhys asked him “How big a part does sport play in your life?” Goode: “It used to play a phenomenal part in my life, because I used to play a lot of county sport, a lot of sport for my school. I love team sports”.  [Interview Magazine].  He played hockey and cricket representing his County/school but golf became his main sporting passion. Matthew started playing crazy golf with his brother James, then progressed to ‘pitch and putt’ and on to the full size version when he was about 14.  His parents loaned him some money to pay for club fees. “I was the dream child for the holidays.  My parents would drop me off [at the golf club] first thing and pick me up when the light was going.” [Robb Report]  He reached a high level of skill at an early age with a handicap of 4 but that has dropped to a 7 today. [Discussion with Greg Kinnear at Dunhill Links Tournament]. Matthew talks about his relationship with his late father very fondly – sadly he died early in Matthew’s career.  He refers to how his father taught him about wine and Scottish whisky.  Matthew’s father also taught him to fish and he talked about this in an interview with his friend Matthew Rhys. RHYS: When did you first start fishing? GOODE: I will never forget it. I used to go to Wales for canal holidays. When I first started fishing, I was on the Brecon Canal in Wales. We pulled up in our canal boat and Dad got out these two maroon, telescopic fishing rods, and put a reel on. RHYS: Was your father a fisherman? GOODE: Yes, he loved it. In fact we used the tackle he used as a boy. It’s no longer with us. He put a couple of maggots on, cast it out, and handed it over to me. I would’ve been eight or nine. Then, about five second later I saw the thing just drift away and I had got one, and it was a beautiful roach—a perfect little roach, silver, about three-quarters of a pound. RHYS: What is it about fishing? GOODE: It’s quite exciting—it’s like acting, some bits are quite exciting and then there’s moments where you’re not doing anything or nothing is happening.  [Interview Magazine]

Education Matthew’s parents worked hard to pay for himself and James to have a private education.  James boarded at his school while Matthew was a day boy at Exeter School, an independent school in the city of Exeter in Devon.

[DevonLive]

Matthew studied A levels including Geography, Drama/Theatre studies and English.  He was considering a career in Archaeology. “For a time I wanted to do archeology, also because my father was a geologist.”[Style Magazine Italia] but his drama teacher, Stephanie Tratmore, had spotted his talent and encouraged him to take up acting again.

[Matthew’s drama teacher Stephanie Tratmore/Crupeck – Exeter School]

Stephanie was putting on a production of Sean O’Casey’s ‘The Plough and the Stars’ and persuaded Matthew to audition for the part of socialist ‘The Young Covey.’  He was reluctant because he hadn’t been on stage for a few years and he was still a blusher. Stephanie got her way and he enjoyed playing the part.   “it wasn’t until I was 17 that I really caught the acting bug,” [Herald Scotland] During this time Matthew was in many Exeter city productions including ‘Richard III’ (as the ambitious Buckingham) and ‘Waiting For Godot’. [Devon Live]  He recalls being in productions at the Northcott Theatre and Barnfield Theatre in Exeter.

[Northcott Theatre Exeter]

[Barnfield Theatre – Exeter]

Stephanie and Andrzej Chrupek taught Matthew drama at Exeter School.  He got top marks in GCSE drama and A-Level theatre studies but worked hard at his craft. Mrs Chrupek said: “He had amazing concentration when he was on the stage and an intensity. He was also very intuitive and had incredible stage presence.”  Mr Chrupek added: “He had a very charming smile, which is obviously his trademark. He hasn’t changed a lot. He was great, great fun to be around and he had charisma on the stage. Your eye was drawn to him when he acted.”  [Devon Live] His mum proudly says – “Towards the end of senior school, I began to see someone who could sustain and create a character and make it his own and I increasingly began to think that a career as an actor was a real possibility.” [Devon Live]

However Matthew decided to go to University rather than go straight to Drama School. “By the time I got to 18, I had to get a degree to make my parents happy.” [Backstage].  Matthew was also considering a career in sport and briefly considered Archaeology [Style Italia] before he finally decided to study Drama at University because he didn’t think he was good at anything else. There was a lot of competition to do drama as a degree course and so he needed high grades. He remembers that most drama courses required an ‘A’ and 2 ‘B’s at A level.  The University of Birmingham offered him a place if he got 3 B’s so he opted for their course.  He actually got 2 ‘A’s and a ‘C’ at A level so he was accepted to study a BA in Drama and Theatre Arts – graduating in 1998. [Clocktower Radio Interview] Matthew remembered some good times studying at Birmingham in this Birmingham Mail interview:- ‘The 31 year-old star has fond memories of the city where he attended Birmingham University to study drama. And as well as treading the boards in the city’s theatres he managed to hit a few of the dartboards in its pubs, too. “It was bostin’,” he laughs. “I had a great time. I used to live on balti. There were a lot of curry houses that used to open late that I remember fondly. I wasn’t thinking about being an actor but I enjoyed doing drama and it had a very good course.  I really came out of my shell and I met the people who are still closest to me there.  We were like cock of the walk and thought we ran the town, or we thought we did as far as the drama course went. We were members of the summer darts league at The Brook Pub in Selly Oak, which got in the way of a lot of work.” [Birmingham Mail]

[The Brook Pub in Selly Oak – now demolished from Our Brum]

[Screenshot from ‘Silent Night’.]

Towards the end of his degree Matthew still wasn’t totally set on a career in acting but he says that his friend Gary got a place at Drama School and “I knew I was a better actor than him [laughs] so I thought I could do it too!”  “I thought, I should give that go! Why don’t I give it a crack?” [Backstage]  He says – “If you ask my teachers and my mother they would say ‘We always knew’ – but I didn’t!”  [Clocktower radio interview] Matthew applied for a loan to attend drama school and got a place at London’s Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art.  I went up to London to audition and managed to get the postgrad course there.”

By the way - this is Gary - we have a lot to thank him for!

Goode fans owe this guy EVERYTHING!!!!   He is Gary Crystal - Matthew Goode’s mate from way back.  Matthew wasn’t heading for a career in acting until this guy applied for Drama school and got in.  

“I knew I was a better actor than him [laughs] so I thought I could do it too!”  “I thought, I should give that go! Why don’t I give it a crack?” [Backstage]

Gary is now a director/editor/writer.  And Matthew Goode?  Well whatever happened to him?  

[📷- IMDb]

[mistandshcdow]

the evans: they're great, actually

i recently watched high school musical 2, because it's summertime, and that's what you do when it's summertime. something that wormed its way into my head while watching and has not left is how LOVELY sharpay and ryan's parents are. disney could have easily made them stereotypical, shallow, rude and entitled rich parents with a neglectful attitude towards their children (possibly giving a reason for their narcissistic and mean behaviour), but they didn't. instead, i found not a single fault with them as parents.

when we first meet mrs. evans, she's chilling in the yoga studio, and responds to sharpay's bitching with remarkable ease. she greets her son lovingly, and encourages their interests in music, and wants them to foster relationships with their classmates.

when mr. evans arrives, he seems to fall more into the superficial rich dad role, landing on the golf course in a helicopter. however, once we see him speak to his family, it's obvious how much he loves them. he gives both of his children affirmation, and compliments. sharpay is obviously his little princess, and although it's clear that he doesn't really understand ryan, but he still goes out of his way to support him, fixing his hat, and helping him line up putts.

but the biggest thing that makes the evans parents such nice people is what they do for troy. sharpay's schemes go completely over their heads--they don't know that sharpay is manipulating them. sharpay tells them that troy is a talented kid with financial issues, and they immediately offer to step up and support him with their connections. they promote him, they introduce him to university bigwigs, and advocate for him to get scholarships. they do all of this because they like troy, and think he's talented and nice. they never present any ulterior motive for this assistance, and seem happy to see him succeed.

so yes, are they slightly shallow? maybe. is their daughter slightly psycho? yeah. but i think the only fault of the evans parents is that they are naive and genuinely nice.

[incurable-bookkl3pt0]

AHHHH!!!!!! YESSSS!!!!!!!!!

Branch and Viva deserve that bonding time, and you can take that headcanon from my cold dead hands.

Nah but fr. Just Branch and Viva being siblings, to the point where they get along better with each other than their ACTUAL siblings gives me life. Yes, Viva and Poppy are so similar personality-wise, but having a similar personality only works well if the people also have similar interests. If they don't... well... problems tend to arise.

See, Poppy is a very large presence, and she's a troll who loves to take care of others and make them happy. She also has a tendency of getting things her way, and not being someone who easily compromises with others, as is seen in TWT and implied with all of those invitations in Trolls 1. Sure, she can be empathetic towards others, but oftentimes develops a tunnel-vision of sorts, and definitely never considers a downside, ever. Viva on the other hand, is also a very large presence, who also seems to like to take care of others, and also seems like the type of troll that people listen to her every word, hence always getting her way. (With her, it was most likely out of desperation and some sense of normalcy and control that the other Putt-Putt Trolls looked up to her, whereas Poppy gets what she wants probably because of her princess status, and aside from Branch, probably was never really told no in her life.) Viva does seem to compromise better than Poppy does, but that just might be from different life experiences, but also in the movie, it took a bit for Viva to relent. Unlike Poppy, however, Viva doesn't seem to get tunnel vision. She sadly doesn't get much screen time, but from what I can see, while she is an optimist, she leans more towards realism. She knows things aren't all cupcakes and rainbows, and while she does act upbeat, unlike Poppy, she understands that there are dangers out there. Even though Poppy does briefly go grey, and comes to some understanding that life isn't all fun and games, she still somewhat holds onto that mentality; especially since at the end of Trolls 1, she inadvertently gets proven right, and that with an upbeat attitude, you can turn even the deepest of frowns upside down. Or something. (IDK, the end of the first movie was pretty good, but just felt like Poppy didn't learn much, especially with her attitude in the first Holiday Special, and TWT IMO.) Clay canonically says that Viva has her issues, which I have taken the liberty to confirm that Viva has paranoia. Essentially, Viva is Branch but with Poppy's personality.

This is why I firmly believe that Branch and Viva would get along better than Poppy and Viva would.

(JD and Viva would also bond as the oldest siblings in their respective families who both once thought their entire families were dead for a while, but this isn't about them right now.)

Getting back to their hangouts, I firmly believe that if (most likely when tbh) Viva moves to Pop Village (Trollstopia?) she would like (and build with Branch ofc) a bunker of her own. Or ask Branch for Bruce's room in his bunker (because really, is he even going to use it? Be fr) because you can't tell me she'd be okay with a regular pod. From what we saw of her room, she has supplies at the ready (even though the supplies in question seem to be candy), and it seems to be deep within the golf course, and probably fortified as a result. And she will definitely take up or have similar interests as Branch's when it comes to foraging/inventory/maintenance. I won't get too into detail since I want to better cover this in the post you made about BroZone and Branch's interests, but the main gist of it is Viva (and JD, but again, this ain't about him rn) would definitely love it. And maybe she'll add more color and whimsy in the bunker because, c'mon. This would be the bicker-y parts of Branch's and Viva's relationship with each other; arguing on the merits of decor, and what priorities certain supplies get.

This, in turn, really makes it seem like they're pushing their actual siblings on the wayside, but the thing is, they are completely unaware that they're doing it. The both of them are just happy and relieved that finally, there's a Troll that Gets It (with the exception of maybe JD, but once again, this ain't about him rn) and won't judge them for their (justified) paranoia. And because their own siblings don't get it, they have turned to each other, whether their siblings like it or not.

Yes, you could argue Clay has paranoia too, but idk, his whole demeanor in TBT feels like the whole situation didn't affect him as heavily as it did Viva. After all, she put her heart and soul into the Putt-Putt Troll community, he only added the fire exits. (I know he most likely contributed to much more, but what I got from that statement was essentially him doing the paperwork while she was running around and making the decisions with his support. Which, we stan a Queen.) Plus, the guy was really okay with living in a rickety old, probably underdefended building, for the sake of proving a point to trolls who a.) wouldn't care and would probably just think he got last pick in housing, and b.) weren't even around to notice said pathetic lodgings. So no, I don't think he has the same issues Viva has. Plus, her constant jumping around/fidgeting could have some anxious tones to it, and we all know Branch definitely has anxiety.

Speaking of their siblings, they are definitely jealous. JD probably being the only one who accepts it gracefully, since, yeah, he knows he won't be that close to Branch ever (he ironically becomes the brother that he gets along with best, but that's a story for another day) and is just happy that Branch is happy, and (let's not forget) alive. The rest? Yeah, they're the ones that get upset and voice their grievances, only for Branch to just not understand why they're mad, and bluntly answer them in a tone that makes him SOUND mad and sarcastic, but really, he's just confused and honestly answering them. Baby still has a long way to go with tone. Poppy on the other hand? Yeah, this is the (first) conflict that she and her sister get in. Because the both of them have similar personalities, they both feel like the other is being unreasonable, and that the other is making a big deal out of nothing. Poppy thinks that Viva is being overdramatic (as she often does with Branch but she indulges him for the most part) with her issues and her bonding with Branch (did Poppy briefly think back to the Branch/Creek incident and briefly entertain the idea that she did something to make them mad and this was their payback? maybe? idk?) and Viva thinks Poppy is being weird about her and Branch (did Viva briefly think that her sister thought she was poaching her bf? maybe? idk?) getting along. They both get into arguments about it a lot, and Branch has no clue about it. (If he did, he'd feel SO BAD about it, and would probably try to distance himself from Viva, making them both miserable, and Poppy has to fix this problem that she created. It would be like TBGO Branch having to fix problems, but with Poppy instead.) They probably eventually come to some understanding, but there were some MASSIVE truths and confessions made along the way, and Poppy FINALLY getting the emotional maturity that her character has been lacking. Anyways, the issue gets resolved when Branch offhandedly makes a comment that Poppy and BroZone get along better than Branch does with BroZone, so he doesn't get why they're mad when they have each other. He even jokingly adds that he did say Poppy could have his brothers and that Poppy agreed, so to make things fair, he should get Poppy's sister (poor bb has a bad track with bros, he deserves a sis). That makes Poppy feel better (she IS the one who said that bros have the strongest bond, let her test that out), but not BroZone (minus JD because he feels as though, yeah, that's fair, harsh but fair). But before they can make their grievances known (again) Poppy has already whisked them away for bonding.

In the process of the sibling exchange, Viva gets to see Poppy as Branch sees her, and BroZone sees Branch as Poppy sees him, and that eventually leads to Poppy and Viva, and Branch and BroZone reconciling and forging a bond. But of course, Branch's and Viva's bond will always be special.

(It would be funny if at the end, at the Broppy wedding, Viva is Branch's Best Troll, and Clay is Poppy's Troll Of Honor. JD walks them both down the aisle ofc, and Floyd and Sp/Bruce are the Flower Trolls or Brides Trolls or something. Kismet is also participating, idk where but they're there. Probably Grooms Trolls or also Flower Trolls. Brandy officiates, obviously. For the non-royal casual wedding. Yes, they have 2. A casual one, where they celebrate their love and is technically just them 'eloping'. And a formal one that also doubles a coronation or whatever.)

another thing I think it'd be nice to see in the future is more Branch and Viva Bonding given everything they have in common.

TBT obviously had that one scene where Branch tried to relate over their shared fears which devolved into a Joke about Pants which I don't think makes any sense given Trolls culture of being cool with full on public nudity.

and actually it literally only just occurred to me but were JD Bruce and Clay not actually the least bit curious what Branch was talking about?

at that point they didn't know about when their Grandma died and Branch just suddenly starts talking about being a recluse for years on end and they didn't have any questions?

instead all they cared about was the "" Awkward "" implication that he didn't wear pants in his home for years the Brothers really do seem like very incurious people tbh.

but anyway Random Rant aside it'd be nice to see more Branch and Viva Bonding in the future I sorta do like to think maybe they'd even have so much to relate over.

that Poppy might get a tad Jealous and feel left out given her different experiences.

like I can easily see Branch and Viva light heartedly bonding over some of the crazy ways they prepared for Bergen attacks and maybe just remembering what life was like in the Tree prior to the escape.

plus her maybe still feeling uncomfortable around the Bergens like Bridget and Gristle which I'm sure Branch would understand and try to help her through.

since they both spent years living in fear of their species so I imagine it didn't just go away overnight even after finding out they made peace with them.

and Branch would maybe admit he felt the same for a short while even after the peace was made.

Heck they can even Bond over being separated from their families for many years and somewhat feeling like the ode ones out in said families.

due to Viva being apart from Poppy and Peppy for so long and Branch being so young that there's a whole lifetime of experiences the Brothers shared with each other before he was even Born.

and due to being so young when they left that he doesn't have as much of an established past with them as they do with each other making it harder to Bond in present day.

yeah there's a lot these two characters could Relate over it'd be interesting to see.

[strawberrywritingfiction]

Golf Outing

Tom Holland x Reader

Word Count: 1.5k 

Synopsis: Invited by he and his family, you go golfing with Tom

^^^

       You were sat at the dinner table among the Holland family members. Having met the twins, Harry and Sam through friends, and having had brief interactions with Tom, the eldest- You were invited as more or less a family friend. At least, the boys’ parents were interested in you, and in the exchanges you’d had with the boys through work and mutual connections. Plus, you thought you were a relatively pleasing house guest. Nothing abnormal about it, you thought.

“You play any golf Y/n?” Harry asked you, amidst the dinner conversations.

The rest of the boys’ heads snapped up at the question posed by Harry, most of the bunch being avid golfers and all.

“Well, sort of. But I’m nowhere up to the boys’ level.” You said with a laugh.

“You should join us for a round Y/n, we’re having a go at the nearby course tomorrow,” Tom said with a smile.

“Yeah, just a casual one, for extra practice.” Sam chimed in.

“I really couldn’t. Can’t even remember the last time I held a club - I’d have to practice in advance to get remotely close to being able to play you all.”

“Nonsense,” said Dom, “We’d love to have you join- and you wouldn’t even have to play if you’re not up for it. You can just have a few hits at the range down there, If you’d like.”

Finding it difficult to say no, and feeling Tom’s gaze held on you, you impulsively agreed to join.

This brought you to where you were now- driving mid afternoon on a Sunday, having just been to a sports store trying to pick up an appropriate looking golf outfit that fit the course’s, ‘formal attire requirement.’ Along with purchasing various balls and tees. Thankfully though, you hand a spare set of clubs at home.

Upon arriving, you met the boys in cheerful spirits, clad in their golf attire. Prepped and ready for play. So, you and the Holland clan got out on the green quickly. First hole, and your driver shot was unmistakably crap. You were glad the boys hadn’t winced at the horrible shot. You tried to play off the embarrassment with conversation between hits when being driven in the cart. The boys had 2 carts out. You sat alongside Harry and Sam in one. Tom in the other with their dad.

1st shot on the second hole though, and it was equally as bad as your previous. But luckily, the boys were distracted and missed the poorly executed swing. Finally after arriving at the beginning of the third hole, however, you stepped up to the tee, and hesitated.

“Listen guys, I think I’ll step out on this one- maybe head back, or tag along for the rest, but I think I’m out on playing. Don’t want to hold you guys back,” you said with a light chuckle. You definitely had the highest score of the bunch, and you were aware that the boys were just being polite, waiting for you to hit your past chipping shots and putts, as you were moving at a slower speed than the rest of them. Then again, they could practically be pros.

“You’re not holding us back, this is all good fun, so there’s no worries if you do continue. Otherwise, one of the boys can step out of the game and join you up in the cart, to go back to the front.” Dom said, looking to his sons. The twins made no effort to offer, which was fair, as they were in front with the lowest scores. But, to your surprise, Tom offered.

“I’d be happy to, I’ve been playing a shit game anyway,” Tom said with a laugh, placing his club back in his bag and hoisting it on his shoulder, “Only, I’d be willing to play with you on the rest of the holes for practice, If you’d be up for it. I’d... I’d Like to help improve your game.”

“My game?”

“Yeah, I think with some slight improvements to that swing of yours, you could be looking decent.”

You scoffed, “You sure? I don’t think you’ve noticed, but if you continue on with just me, you’ll be here for another few hours.”

“Time well spent.” Tom said with a smile.

The rest of the boys wished you well as they drove off to continue playing, leaving you and Tom with the remaining cart.

“Right well, you have a go first.”

“Alright,” you said, fishing through your bag for a wood club.

Interrupting as you removed one from it’s bag, Tom said, “Er- hold on, let me check.”

He too dug through your clubs before picking another one- “I reckon this one here’s a good fit,” he said, handing it to you.

“Ok then, I trust you,” You said, stepping up to the tee, “you got any other tips Holland?”

“Maybe. Give me a practice swing and we’ll take it from there,” he said, stepping back from your side.

You did as you were told, and Tom kindly gave you his input.

“Right well- this arm,” he said motioning to his own, “you’ve gotta keep that straight even on impact, no getting flimsy elbows before making contact with the ball there.”

You were trying to correct yourself, copying his directions, but upon your confusion, Tom walked up behind you to help demonstrate. “Okay so this arm,” he started, his hands gripping both of your own from behind, “You’ve gotta keep it like this through your back swing,” he said, drawing your arms back behind your shoulder. You couldn’t help but loose brief focus as he gave his directions soft spoken from behind.

He stepped back to examine your practice swing, “right that looks better, but uh- may I.”

“Go for it,” You said.

“Right, so-“ he placed his hands on either side of your hips “-you wanna kind of turn your body this direction, and move the opposite knee forward as you do.” You did just as you were told.

After the few tips, and Tom was satisfied with your practice technique and form, you took the swing, proving to have a much better result.

“See? That’s so much better! Your swing will be looking like Tiger Woods’ in no time, I bet it,”

You laughed, “All thanks to you Coach.”

Next, Tom stepped up to take his own swing. You watched, and to no surprise his form was practically perfect, landing him a nice spot on the green. You complimented his swing as the two of you hopped in the cart to head over to the next ball.

You drove the cart, and the cart rides throughout the day gave the two of you an opportunity to talk. Also, on each hole Tom continued to give you tips. You admired that he was so patient, and never got frustrated with you, or exasperated if you didn’t happen to pick up his directions quickly. He claimed you significantly improved by the end of the day. Surely enough though, by the time you got out of the course, the rest of the Holland’s had left, and it was practically dark.

The two of you carried your clubs to the car park, utterly exhausted. What was meant to be casual, fun and quick, felt as if it were never-ending.

“You got a ride Tom? You asked.

“Shit, well- no, really. Harry and Sam must have taken my car back to our shared apartment,”

“I’m happy to drop you off- least I can do. You practically gave me lessons for free today, forfeited your game too.”

“Nah, It was good fun, and I’d prefer to have forfeited than to have lost another game to those twats this month,” he chuckled.

The two of you continued to chat, and on the car ride home you both stopped for some takeout at a drive-through, seeing as now it was dark and neither of you had had anything for dinner.

You thanked Tom again once whilst dropping him off, “I’d love to do this again, actually,” he said, fumbling with the strap of his bag of clubs slung over his shoulder.

“I don’t think I’m up to anymore golf for a while,” You said, with an awkward laugh.

“Well, we won’t do golf again then,” he smiled, “maybe just a dinner.”

“Sounds good,” you agreed. Saying good night, you left to head home and upon arriving, you immediately began to receive messages from the rest of the boys.

* Sam H - Already, he won’t shut up about you 😐 9:37 pm.

* Harry H - 10 bucks said he’d be too much of a wuss to ask you out before the end of tonight and I lost 🙄 9:41 pm.

^^^

[47-reasons-to-thirst]

Being in a relationship with 47

47 does have definitely interests but he will spend a lot of your relationship adapting to yours

It is on his pursuit to copy your mannerisms and adapt to spending time with you he’s more likely to learn things about himself and develop more interests

For example, you bake using nuts, he discovers walnuts are his favorite or he takes you to putt putt and learns he enjoys it more than regular golf

47 doesn’t care for downtime and is always in favor of doing something rather than lounging around. If you want to just relax or lounge he’ll bring a book or study something. He can’t simply do nothing.

It takes a while before things get more intimate but once they do, know he’s very curious and experimental. Intimacy will become common if not daily as he discovers both what you like and what he likes

He is very go at compartmentalizing and can keep you away from his work with ease

However, the deeper the relationship goes, he will want to tell you. He wants you to know everything.

Despite how prudent she is, Diana will agree with that decision. He should be able to open up to you if he is that serious about you

Once the floodgates are open, there’s a softness added to your relationship that really shoes the Assassin is capable of emotions, limited though they may be

His hugs are tight. Like he’s afraid something will happen to you .

He doesn’t sleep as long as you do, but is content with sitting there and waiting for you to wake up

Watching movies with a trained killer is fun because he’s got an interesting perspective on some things

“That’s not what happens when you impale someone with pitch fork. Trust me.”

“The standard capacity for a glock 19 is actually 15. Though, that can be customized. Considering what we know about the main character though I’m more inclined to call it an error.”

He wakes up often in a panic, though his panicked state is still very calm. The only tell he’s waking up from a nightmare is when he rubs the bridge of his nose

Ideally, he wants a partner with a deep appreciation and resonance for life. A counterbalance for his place in the world. The thing that completes him, his other half, and all of that

[aion-rsa]

The Simpsons Season 32 Episode 12 Review: Diary Queen

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This The Simpsons review contains spoilers.

The Simpsons Season 32 Episode 12

The Simpsons Season 32, episode 12, “Diary Queen,” may be the sweetest offering of the series. It’s not only sentimental and self-esteem-positive, it’s downright edumacational. At least for Bart, who certainly learns a lesson. Thankfully, as the episode explains by example, he probably won’t retain it.

“What’s the matter, Bart? I figure you’d be used to failing by now,” Edna Krabappel once consoled the spiky haired kid who seemed so determined to get through school without schooling. Marcia Wallace, who played the Springfield Elementary teacher, died unexpectedly in October 2013. Edna’s death was first acknowledged in “Four Regrettings and a Funeral,” from season 25, when Bart wrote “We’ll really miss you Mrs. K” on the chalkboard. He only wrote it once. Her death was punishment enough. Both the character and the voice actor were instrumental in the chemistry of The Simpsons, and chemistry happens to be one of the few things Bart’s ever excelled at in school, even pranking a talent show in the “Haw-Haw Land” episode. But he gets his beakers crossed in the latest installment.

“Diary Queen” opens with an inspired West Side Story song parody, “Too Nice” replacing “Tonight.”  It’s time for Ned Flanders’s annual yard sale, and he’s on a holy mission to undersell eBay. Comic Book Guy is looking for a broom to play Quidditch on, Waylen Smithers is going to score some kitsch, and Ned will finally toss those fuzzy dice Maude bought him to the bottom of an impulse item box of jokes he did not get. The Flanders family are parting with their humble possession in a public bid for humility, in case no one notices. Ned gives up Rod’s teeth. Todd consigns his toys to the auction block on the grass. “Playing is a sin that we regret,” one of the Flanders kids explains.

Ned’s bizarre outdoor bazaar is the only segment which has any meanness in it. The Springfieldians want to take advantage of Ned, and openly mock him. Carl and Lenny turn the yard sale into a yarn brawl, and Jimbo’s gang buys commemorative plates just to smash them. It’s enough to send Ned looking for the fans he always carries around in case of stress-induced hot flashes. As Patty and Selma are flicking ashes into Rod and Tod’s baby shoes, it seems Nelson, Bart, and Millhouse are the only ones worthy to buy Ned’s treasured mementos. And, of those, only Nelson’s purchase is authentic. He buys all the bad words, like “adultery” and “fornication,” which Ned cut out of his old religious texts. Nelson has a genuine use for them, you can just tell.

Bart and Millhouse buy the books. Even without the offending admonishments, they swear they’ll still find useful ways to better themselves. Their haul winds up being the fiery centerpiece for a supercool skateboarding feat which no one will ever see. It’s an old joke, but we do get to notice how big Millhouse’s nose looks when he’s picking it. One book, which gives the title to the episode, is spared the conflagration of Bart’s daredevil jump: Edna Krabappel’s diary. Bart recognizes the Ds and Fs, and Millhouse recognizes the smell of Parliament Lights 100s. It’s very telling how these are the most recognizable clues. They are each ready-made character punchlines.

The diary is a font of information. Bart and Millhouse learn all the teachers work night jobs during school hours, and the many lonely secrets of Groundskeeper Willie. But their first use of it is inspired gaggery. Bart learns Superintendent Chalmers keeps his car keys behind the visor. The two kids not only steal the car but take advantage of a free yogurt offer at a car wash. The idea that taking the yogurt and ditching the car is a “perfect crime” is great kids’ logic. It is a little odd, however, that Springfield’s Chief Wiggum sees fourth grade car thieves as inspiration for a little personal time with Officer Lou, but it works within Simpsons logic.

The central point of the episode is Bart’s relationship with his dead teacher, and his relationship with himself. He actually believes someone he thought only saw him as troublesome also considered him “smart as a whip.” It leads him to believe he actually has potential, which he translates to: all the time he was showing his butt he was showing promise. This spurs him into thinking about getting seriously educated. Not only does he try but he succeeds on his first dry run, resisting the urge to draw a skeleton head on a multiple-choice test grid, and getting an A. Not only does he finally understand how his sister Lisa doesn’t suck, but he puts himself on the same level.

Lisa goes through all the stages of jealousy, and even realizes she’s on the verge of obsession when even her imaginary comfort pony begins to look like Bart. This makes it worse, because realizing he is the only thing she can think about only makes her dwell on it. Lisa is usually the family genius, and how she reacts to Bart doing well really depends on the circumstance and need for story conflict. For instance, when Bart had to apply geometry to miniature golf in an early episode, Lisa brought a Zenlike understanding of all things which putt. Lisa does Bart a disservice tonight in the guise of doing the right thing. It’s her MO.

Of course, Marge and Lisa don’t trust Bart’s recent good grades, but while he comes up clean to Marge, Lisa digs up the dirt. Bart correlates “cruel” with “lying” because “they’re both great.” He thinks he’s going to win a Spelling Bee just because he has the potential to do it. Would it have been less cruel for Lisa to let him see how far his belief would get him? She’s set him up for worse humiliations just for an edge at science fairs.

Millhouse gets a few good gags tonight. When Lisa starts developing a rash because of the stress of not crushing her brother’s potential, he pulls cream out of his fanny pack labeled “rash stash.” Groundskeeper Willie is a highlight of the episode. His character has one of the most interesting takes on passive aggressive behavior in comedy. It’s not that he gets it backwards, so much as he pays it forward: Terrorizing Bart with the idea of simmering a new pet into rabbit stew when all he’s thinking of is how much bunnies love stewed carrots.

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Subtle social commentary makes its way into the episode. As this is the first episode since the Trump presidency, it opens with a Bald Eagle flying a sign asking “Is it safe yet?” We learn Ned doesn’t find Bill Maher funny. A priest tells Bart and Millhouse reading someone else’s diary in church is not the worst thing you can do within the hallowed walls. Moments later we see the priest handcuffed and escorted past the pews by the police. We can only wonder what offenses are happening at Reverend Lovejoy’s competition.

Fat Tony (Tony Montagna) tells his henchmen his crime family doesn’t kill children, “We wait till they’re 18.” Lisa is kept up at night by the cold dead eyes of Mike Pence. Subtle subversive commentary can be found when Principal Skinner declares the drug-free portion of the school assembly a success because Lisa, the only one in the auditorium, tells him she doesn’t do drugs. But the scene comes shortly after we learn Dr. Hibbert is pushing kiddie-Xanax “sleepies” and “dopies” on her. The best bad side effects are “Portuguese insolence” and the “tendency to see yourself as others see you.”

The episode has quite a few sight gags which work well. The sign outside the Spelling Bee contest reads H-E-A-R, and we see one of the losing contestants ripping up a dictionary on the way to the exit. When Ned starts to preachify in the treehouse, he only stops because Bart is drawing back a trigger finger on his slingshot. Mrs. Krabappel’s beloved cat not only was not harmed during the making of the episode, but was a willing participant, according to the closing disclaimer. One of the stills in the photo montage is of Krabappel watching The Bob Newhart Show, which Marcia Wallace was a regular on.

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For the majority of The Simpsons’ run, Mrs. Krabappel was a sexually independent woman who was often “looking for a substitute to teach me a lesson I sorely need.” She began dating widower Ned in “The Ned-Liest Catch” from season 22. They married in secret and stayed together until her death in “The Man Who Grew Too Much.” The cause of Edna’s death has never been revealed, except in a non-canon, future-set episode. For this installment, Wallace’s two lines are taken from earlier episodes. “Diary Queen” will be her last appearance.

This is a different kind of arc for The Simpsons. “Diary Queen” is on an uplifting trajectory until Lisa knocks it off course, and ends in a sudden life-affirming crash. Bart’s final warning to Marge, “I’ll go over the edge if you try to make me feel better,” is wonderfully skewered, but the final twist is a dose of treacle. The episode was originally slated to premiere on Valentine’s Day, and is a sweet sendoff.

The post The Simpsons Season 32 Episode 12 Review: Diary Queen appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[sirfrogsworth]

Trump “Golfing”

I just read an interesting story about the way Trump likes to golf. At first, I thought it was an inconsequential puff piece, but it turned out quite revealing. Trump loves golf. He plays it constantly. Even when he probably shouldn’t. Many of his golf buddies have been interviewed about his skills on the course and they all had basically the same thing to say.

He cheats. 

Not a little bit. 

He cheats A LOT. 

It starts with the initial drive. He will often take several mulligans until scoring his first stroke. Meaning he keeps hitting the ball until he is satisfied with where it lands. However, if he does hit it into the woods, the ball will somehow magically appear back on the fairway by the time he reaches it. Due to his caddie rooting around in the tall grass and tossing the ball back to civilization. 

Then Trump gets into his cart and since the rules don’t apply to him, he drives it straight onto the carefully manicured green. No one is supposed to drive on this delicate grass. There is video of Trump doing this. And he drives with gusto too. I was surprised he didn’t do a few donuts. 

And to finish the hole off, Trump never actually takes his final putt. He calls this a “gimmie.” If the ball is close to the hole, that’s good enough for him. I guess he just assumes he would have hit the ball in. 

Some of the people who have golfed with Trump say he often brags about winning championships and setting course records. After seeing him play, all of these people say that is most likely bullshit. 

Pretty much everything about Trump’s golfing experience is a lie. Not only that, he doesn’t even try to be sneaky about it. He cheats in plain sight for everyone to see. It’s like a card hustler pointing to the cards hidden in his sleeves before a hand. I’m not even sure why he plays. I mean, technically he doesn’t really play. He just goes through the motions to make it seem like he is playing. The whole point of sport is to challenge yourself. That’s what makes it fun. I don’t understand what Trump gets out of the experience.  

I remember back when the original Doom came out for the PC. I loved that game and played it nonstop for weeks. One day I found cheat codes on the internet and at first it was very exciting. I had unlimited ammo and turned on God Mode. Nothing could touch me. Initially, it was kind of awesome. I was plowing through demons like they were paper people. I was getting to levels I couldn’t reach before. But that excitement quickly faded as I played. I discovered that I was getting very, very bored. Overcoming the odds, fear of dying, progressing through the game using my skills, reflexes, and wits... that’s what made the game fun. These cheat codes had turned this once exciting game into a total yawnfest. After years and years of playing in God Mode, how is Trump not totally bored with golf?

I guess this article struck a chord with me because it showed that Trump doesn’t even take the things he claims to love seriously. Even in a game where the outcome means basically nothing, he cannot stand to do poorly. He must lie to himself and others while playing. Nothing is more important than maintaining his ego. It seems like there is nothing too small that he will not lie about. There is nothing so inconsequential that he will not try to cheat. In every aspect of his life, that’s who he is. A liar and a cheater. Nothing is sacred. 

And it just makes me think, if he is willing to lie about pointless golf outings... if he is willing to perform these lies blatantly in front of others with absolutely no shame... what items of actual importance is he willing to lie and cheat about?

[savannahsgolfclub]

How Koepka’s trajectory can continue to rise next season

Five things Brooks Koepka can realistically improve for 2020

How can Brooks Koepka improve? On the surface, this is a demanding, heedless ask. The man became the first player to be a repeat PGA Championship and the U.S. Open winner in a career, and became just the fourth player to finish top four or better at every major in a calendar year. It is like telling John Mulaney to be funnier or the Rock to hit the gym before beach season.

And yet, there is room for Koepka to grow. Heck, he didn’t even win Player of the Year honors. (Too soon? Too soon.) So we analyzed Koepka’s performance from last year, and the ones before it, to identify five things Koepka can refine for 2020.

To preface, there are trade-offs to consider. Someone who blasts the ball distances that give roll-back proponents nightmares is not likely to be accurate off the tee, and telling Koepka to hit more fairways will syphon the power that serves as such an advantage. These suggestions also have to be pragmatic; you can’t expect one who consistently ranks outside the top 100 in a certain area to suddenly become an elite performer in that skill. Besides, even at the height of their powers, Tiger, Nicklaus and Hogan all had flaws in their games. (Dodging lightning) OK, not flaws, but they weren’t the best at everything. That’s golf.

Keeping those parameters in mind, here is how Koepka’s trajectory can continue to rise next season.

Par 3s

Koepka’s par-3 performance cost him the green jacket. He was three over on Augusta National’s par 3s, seven shots worse than Tiger Woods on said holes. For those that spent April in a coma, Koepka finished the tournament one stroke back of Tiger.

The Masters wasn’t an aberration. Koepka lost the Honda Classic by one to Keith Mitchell. Koepka was four over on the par 3s to Mitchell’s four-under mark. Essentially, he was three to four swings away from a two-major, five-win campaign. For a guy who desperately seeks chips to place on those broad shoulders, this would be a start.

On the year, Koepka finished 52nd in par-3 scoring, and 44th the season prior. The disparity in his par-3 scoring against high finishes on par 4s (first in ’19, 15th in ’18) and par 5s (10th in ’19, third in ’18) can be correlated to his driving prowess. Where the equation becomes curious is against a smorgasbord of strong iron numbers: 11th in greens in regulation, fifth in fairway proximity, first in shots from 175-to-200 yards, 10th in approaches under 200 yards, and 11th in sg/approach.

Thing is, he racks up his share of red on par 3s, in the top 20 in this category heading into the final two weeks of the year and ultimately finishing 29th. But when he misses, he misses big. Continuing his momentum will be dependent on Koepka keeping the bogeys at bay on par 3s.

Andrew Redington

Long Range Putting

Koepka owned one of the better strokes on tour in his fledgling years, ranking in the top 20 in strokes gained/putting from 2015 to 2017 (with a career-best standing of fifth in 2017). But his figures with the flat stick have dropped over the past two seasons, coming in 48th last season and 69th in 2018.

There are two culprits for this plummet, the first output—or lack thereof—from deep. Koepka ranked 108th in conversion from 15 to 20 feet, 114th in 20 to 25 feet and 72nd in putts over 25 feet. When his putting was at its peak in 2017, Koepka ranked 33rd, fifth and first, respectively, from those distances. Bringing those ranks to the middle of pack would make Koepka more formidable around the hole.

Also helping …

Three-Putt Avoidance

Aside from 2017, this is an arena where Koepka has consistently struggled. His ranks since joining the tour in three-jacks:

2019: 123rd 2018: 156th 2017: 60th 2016: 167th 2015: 95th 2014: 76th

Part of this can be explained by a high birdie-putt conversion rank (17th in 2019, 10th the season before), an aggressive mindset conferring longer-than-desired comebackers. Pulling the reins back on that opportunistic approach could lead to fewer bogeys … but also to fewer birds, so that blanket answer does not suffice. Most likely, to improve in this area, Koepka would need to shore up those areas where meat is left on the bone: three (95th), five (94th) and seven (116th) feet.

0 Yards and In

Stated above, it’s unfair, unrealistic to ask a player to be great in every category. What’s interesting is that Koepka has risen to such heights without a semblance of a short game.

He’s ranked 83rd or worse in every season but one on tour in sg/around-the-green, and has been particularly brutal inside 10 yards (98th in 2019, 97th in 2018, 132nd in 2017). Between this and the aforementioned putting troubles, it’s mind-boggling that Koepka ranked 11th in bogey avoidance.

However, it is not as if Koepka lacks touch. (Save for when his girlfriend comes in for a kiss.) He was 12th in scrambling in 2018 and ranked a serviceable 42nd last year (aided by a 58.43 sand save percentage, 22nd on tour). Additionally, some of these woes could be attributed to Koepka’s wrist injury and restricted practice schedule the past two years. Now given time and health, don’t be surprised if Koepka’s able to tighten these screws up.

Fan Engagement

Just kidding, wanted to make sure you are still paying attention.

Rough Work

Koepka is a machine with his irons from the fairways. In the rough, not so much. His production from last year:

Approaches from 125-150 yards: 139th Approaches from 150-175 yards: 169th Approaches from > 200 yards: 116th Approaches from 200-225 yards: 153rd

He’s not a total disaster, ranking fifth in shots from 50 to 125 yards, but the disconnect from the short to thick stuff is clear.

Without making excuses for Koepka, this is another facet that likely parallels with his wrist ailment. Conversely, he ranked 102nd in driving accuracy. Though the strokes gained metrics have shown getting the ball closer to the hole is more paramount than keeping it straight, it does put the onus on getting it done with the second shot, fairway or rough be damned.

And should Koepka improve this skill set, or any mentioned above, well … that sound you just heard were the sighs from Koepka’s competition.

The post How Koepka’s trajectory can continue to rise next season appeared first on Savannahs Golf Club.

[rediyen-blog]

Nine hints to support junior golf players

Golf is interesting to treat that can be appreciated at any age. Show a tyke to play and they'll have an establishment set up for a considerable length of time of satisfaction on the course nearby loved ones. This is something we saw a weekend ago with the subsequent Drive, Chip and Putt Championship held at Augusta National. It was an extraordinary token of the delight the two grown-ups and the young themselves get from the game. 

PGA Professional Justin Blazer, the chief of guidance at Duran Golf Club in Viera, Fla., needs his understudies to have a great time learning and develops their enthusiasm by drawing motivation from other athletic interests.  

"Golf has the recognition that it's hard," Blazer said. "Be that as it may, it's the same as some other game. Once in a while, we put golf on a platform. Diligent work, appropriate practice and great instructing, all components important to be a decent competitor in any game, are similar components fundamental in golf." Relatable:-  ‘’Ladies golf clubs’’

Here are nine hints to keep golf fun and energizing for junior golf players. 

1. Discover a PGA Professional, give your tyke space to develop. Research your territory and find an educator who represents considerable authority in junior golf programs, is guaranteed, or at any rate, has noteworthy experience instructing kids. At that point, offer help and support yet enable the professional to offer the golf guidance. An excessive amount of data from an excessive number of sources can take the delight from the way toward figuring out how to play golf. 

2. Gathering guidance works best. Jacket played school b-ball, so he originates from a group activity foundation. He thinks about growing up playing youth baseball when he anticipated rehearsing for two or three hours since it implied an opportunity to spend time with his amigos. With the time accessible between shots, golf is the most social game. Guidance ought to pursue this lead. Children who learn, snicker, improve and battle together are bound to return for additional. 

3. More youthful children need assortment.  You're never too youthful to even consider learning, however, the littlest swingers need a blend of exercises to keep centers and exercises new and energizing. For Paul Johnson, ahead of the star at the Links at Lost Plantation in Rincon, Ga., this may incorporate an off the cuff round of stop tag amidst a driving extent session, a deterrent course session or whacking tennis balls rather than golf balls to assemble certainty and break repetitiveness. Any action that accentuates dexterity, balance or athletic development benefits a golf player's initial advancement. Regardless of whether it does exclude contacting a golf club or ball. 

4. Try not to sweat the subtleties.  Strong basics are significant, yet it's fine for an amateur to have defects in their hold or position as long as they are hitting the ball, having a ton of fun and needing to come back to the course. Jacket accepts his understudies' pleasure could easily compare to applying undue worry in the quest for flawlessness. In the event that the opportunity arrives, he gets a kick out of the chance to transform his student into the instructor, have them ask inquiries regarding for what good reason such a change may be vital. That keeps the understudies put resources into the choice. 

5. Jump on course - at the earliest opportunity.  Youngsters who invest a lot of energy slamming balls into the driving reach can without much of a stretch lose the premium. Also, the green is the place the game truly wakes up, stays fun and crisp, represents a novel situation every day. A golf player comprehends the motivation to invest quality energy working on chipping or shelter play once they're looked with those difficulties on the fairway. 

6. Allow your to tyke choose, it's their voyage. Not every single junior golf player will need to play in competitions. Some may get a kick out of the chance to contend, yet just in a gathering setting. Also, others may appreciate the game since they can be outside and go through hours offering great shots and giggling to companions. Guardians who push their tyke down an inappropriate way may drive their tyke away from the game. The choice to seek after a competition title, school grant or expert vocation should consistently originate from the golf player and nobody else. 

7. Droops are a piece of games. Each golf player arrives at a point where scores aren't improving in light of the fact that putts don't drop or drives miss their objective. Comprehend that all competitors have extends where they just don't play out their best, now and then for reasons that resist clarification - on the off chance that they can be recognized by any means. Baseball hitters, field objective kickers, 3-point shooters all arrangement with low periods during a season, Blazer brings up. Harping on what's turned out badly can cut any golf player down. To look after the point of view, set reachable halfway objectives and maintain the emphasis on the way toward having a fabulous time. 

8. Guardians, don't hurry to spend. It's enticing to surge out and purchase costly golf clubs and garish garments when your child or little girl notices they'd like to go through an evening on the green. Clutch your check card for a moment, in any case. Open your youngster to the game first. Numerous teachers have clubs accessible for children to use during exercises or centers. On the off chance that your kid chooses they like the game and need to keep playing, at that point discover hardware that fits them. Legitimate club length and weight are basic for youthful apprentices. Clubs that are excessively long or substantial can present awful swing propensities. 

9. I appreciate this game together.  Father and child, mother and girl. Walk nine holes on a warm summer evening. Start an occasion convention of sharing around, and watch it whether there's downpour, hail or wind. Watch the significant titles, get familiar with the rich history of the game and talk about your preferred players. Go to a PGA or LPGA Tour occasion and watch the individuals who play the game best. Discover time to play around on a family excursion. Praise the great shots, overlook the terrible ones, snicker a ton and let every memory absorb.

[sparklestheunicorn15]

Panjo - The the kids club that couldn’t

Off the hume highway, on the corner of a bustling main road through the industrial area of Minto, sits an inconspicuous building, blended in with its surroundings, you wouldn’t think anything of it.

Not my photo - but a pretty cool aerial shot of the building

General swimming/lap pool

It’s not until you take a closer look, that you realise its not a share office in need of some TLC, or a logistics depot thats had its run with the local graffiti gang - no in fact it is the once dream of Anthony Panzarino, a budding developer with dreams of creating, in his own words, a “Destination centre 4 children”

Construction on the 8 storey building started in 2007 with plans of opening an ice skating rink, swimming pool, child care centre, medical centre, theatre, spa, putt putt golf and pizza, a 50s style diner and much more.

The “learn to swim” pool, now filled with drink cups from the neighboring ice skating kiosk.

However works came to a grinding halt shortly after, when the GFC hit and the bank funding the project (St. George Bank) cut its ties, and its money. The building sat lifeless until 2009, when renewed interest - and funding came from said bank, and construction recommenced.

Building entry foyer - to the right is entry to the skating rink, behind, the spa.

But again, with a slew of set backs and funding issues, the developers went into receivership in 2011, unable to pay back the $45 million they had borrowed to develop Panjo. The property was put onto the market in order to recoup costs, and sold for a measly $7.7 million in 2013.

Inside the glass elevator carriage

With the city mayor eager to see something done with the 26,869sq m eyesore, he approved a building permit in 2014 to see new developers, Consortium Grange Road Properties, breather new life into the complex, with 139 serviced apartments, a child care centre, and office space for hire.

Looking up the four carriage glass elevator unit - all four carriages are waiting for you on the top floor!

In a strange turn of invents, the permit sat unclaimed, with no work started or finished on the site, and the property once again placed on the market in 2017.

There has been no word as to what will happen to the building, now affectionately known as “Panjo”, but as time passes, the derelict building has become haven to vandals, graffiti artists, metal scrappers and squatters.

Glass elevator shaft from the 6th floor.. Sorry this is my last elevator photo, they were just so cool!

The two basement levels are your standard run of the mill car park. The lower level is a little flooded, but nothing too hectic. The first floor to the sixth are also quite repetitive - its uncertain if these levels have been gutted by a demolition crew, or scrappers, but each of these levels have piles of destroyed building elements sorted by material.

The state of the first to sixth levels - its hard to tell what has been torn down, and what was never finished!

But really, its the ground level that makes this whole explore worth it.

It’s like walking through a real life time capsule. Ice skating boots for the ice skating rink were still in boxes, hair colour swatches for the spa laid over the floor, care instruction stickers not yet peeled from the bathroom equipment. Even the launch day gift bags will still in their original delivery boxes.

Large props sit in the now abandoned ice skating rink - unfortunately the ice melted by the time I got there!

What sucks the most, is that because there was no natural light to the space, everything was pitch black - making it really hard to take photos and really accentuate on these amazing features - also, my camera died half way through the explore, bummer!

Inside the “theatre”. I’m still unsure if this was meant to be a movie theatre or a stage theatre as there was going to be a “Performing Arts” centre at one point in the initial design concept.

I was also quite amazed with how intact the building still was. With the amount of glass used to feature the entry, as well as the apparent fire that had broken out on the 5th floor, the building was surprisingly weather tight. As my architecture friends would say, the structure has “good bones” making it perfect for redevelopment.

View out of the large glass pillar at the front of the building, with surprisingly all the glass still intact!

In saying that though, while the idea surrounding the property’s initial existance was pretty darn cool, and really appealed to my inner 12 year old child, it was fairly easy to see how a business like this probably wouldnt work for the area.

The kiosk to the putt putt golf area

Given the heavy industrial area surrounding the property, I could not see many of its feautures being heavily utilized. Sure, the child care centre aspect would have been a great convenience for the working families with jobs in the area, but the rest of the feautres such as pools, ice skating, putt putt, theatre, spa and diner, would probably only see “seasonal” attraction - working families stuck with kids for the school holidays could use it as a dumping ground for their offspring, but beyond that, who else would really go out of their way for it?

All in all, This explore was certainly one of my most favorite explores. I will certainly be trying to gain access again with a little more camera battery next time!

Bonus video! What everything looked like during the building process. A few of the filmed features match up to some of my photos!

[deertrackgolfclub]

Tiger Woods’ strong finish, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed squash their beef and a costly rules controversy: What you missed this weekend

Welcome to the Dew Sweeper, your one-stop shop to catch up on the weekend action from the golf world. From the professional tours, trending news, social media headlines and upcoming events, here’s every golf-related thing you need to know for the morning of Jan. 28.

Rose continues historic tear Justin Rose became No. 1 for the first time in his career last season. Don’t expect the Englishman to cede the title anytime soon.

The 38-year-old turned in a three-under 69 to win the Farmers Insurance Open by two over Adam Scott.

  It was far from a Sunday stroll on the front, with Rose stumbling to the tune of three bogeys in the first five holes, and a par on the par-5 fifth did little to alleviate concerns. However, he righted the ship with birdies on the seventh, ninth and 10th holes, subtracting any drama from Torrey Pines’ closing stretch.

“A couple things that didn’t go my way and then it starts to look and feel a bit shaky for sure,” Rose said. “But I always felt somewhat in control. I did a good job today of staying patient and never panicking. I think that was probably a bit of experience coming through that wouldn’t have been the same.”

Experience is putting it lightly. This sounds bombastic, but the numbers back it up: Rose has been downright Woods-ian since the end of 2017. Torrey Pines marked his 15th top-3 finish in the last two years, and his 13th top-10 finish in his last 17 starts. The only thing missing from his 24-month tear is a major, his 2013 triumph at Merion enduring as his lone victory on the big stage.

Of course, he’s currently the Masters favorite. You better believe Jim Nantz is practicing, “A Rose blooms at Augusta!” victory calls.

Tiger finishes with strong Sunday in first 2019 start There was rust, which was to be expected. And his putter didn’t get the memo that hibernation was over. But Tiger Woods’ first outing of the 2019 season, while not memorable, was constructive, highlighted by a final-round 67.

“I think this whole week was good, very positive,” Woods said. “I didn’t quite start out the way I wanted to this week, wasn’t as sharp as I wanted to be, but each and every day it got a little better.”

On the surface, a T-20 finish for Woods should be of little consequence. This was Torrey Pines, after all, Tiger’s de facto stomping grounds, and off that breathtaking finish to 2018, the 43-year-old’s continued comeback is past the point of moral victories.

In that same breath, save for the flat stick, his performance was impressive (10th in strokes gained/tee-to-green), especially so given he had new sticks in the bag. That he hit over 55 percent of fairways on the week, versus 30 percent in his return last year (worst in the field), underlines he’s coming out of the gates in a more formidable fashion than a season ago.

Besides, as Woods noted, the goal is to build towards a certain tournament in the spring.

“If you look at where I was Thursday and look at where I’m at now, Sunday, I got a little bit better,” Woods said. “I drove the ball better, hit my irons a litle bit cleaner. Again, I hit some good putts. Just continue with the track. I have a couple more months of prep before April [and the Masters], so things are heading in the right direction.”

Woods is off the next two weeks before his next scheduled start in the Genesis Open at Riviera.

Spieth, Reed squash beef Fans were expecting—perhaps even hoping for—an icy exchange. At minimum, it promised to be awkward.

Instead, the tension quickly surrendered to a show of détente.

Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed were paired together on Saturday, the first time they’ve teed it up since the reigning Masters champ took a flamethrower to the three-time major winner in a post-Ryder Cup interview. The strained relationship, with an origin story straight out of a comic book, ostensibly gave golf something it hasn’t had in quite some time: a genuine villain, and discord between two of its stars.

While the former holds, the latter was distinguished by Spieth, who greeted his former American teammate with a hug on the first tee:

Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed.

Hugging it out. pic.twitter.com/NiMx9IawC1

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 26, 2019

Frazier-Ali, this is not.

“Yeah, I laughed,” Spieth said. “I think he did, too. It was more sarcasm towards y’all (media). We’ve seen each other plenty of times at Sony and here and everything’s been the way it normally is. We knew the cameras were on and we knew people were interested in that, so I just thought it would be kind of funny.”

Added Reed: “Literally when we got off the plane (from Paris) it was old news and we all moved on from there.” Granted, that doesn’t jive with what Reed said in December—he told the New York Post that if Spieth wanted to smooth things out, “He has my number”—but hey, all for revisionist history in the name of love.

In one sense, probably for the best that this strife, real or imagined, was defused. It makes for a juicy narrative, yes, particularly in a sport that’s guilty of being overly neighborly. But a player of Spieth’s prestige doesn’t need to be riddled with such nonsense, the acidity outweighing any possible benefits to the rivalry.

And rest assured, a potential Spieth victory at Augusta National—remember, Reed would be the one awarding the green jacket—remains just as tantalizing.

Bryson wins for fourth time in nine starts On Saturday, Bryson DeChambeau claimed he was “just not 100 percent with my golf game.” This after acknowledging on Friday he didn’t have the right sensations and “proprioception”—for those sans dictionary, that’s the the sense of the relative position of one’s own parts of the body and strength of effort being employed in movement—over his shots.

That lack of symphony matter nada.

The World No. 5 cruised to his fifth victory in the last eight months—and fourth in his last nine starts—in Dubai, dropping a Sunday 64 to win the Omega Desert Classic by seven shots. A display even the Mad Scientist had to appreciate.

“Today I was happy with my game. I executed a lot of great shots,” DeChambeau said. “It’s a lot of hard work with my caddie, really grinding and trying to figure out how to take account of all the variables out there—air pressure, firmness values, mile-per-hour on the speed, putts and ball speed, spin rates. We’re trying to figure out as much as possible so I can be as successful as possible, and obviously it’s shown.”

Has it ever. This time last year DeChambeau was barely inside the top 100, his curious ways mostly ridiculed. Now he’s one of the game’s biggest names, a marquee attraction for all the right reasons.

His detractors, of which there are many, still deem his divergent methods fit for a looney bin. Or maybe they’re just blinded by the glare off DeChambeau’s ever-growing trophy case.

A costly, and dubious, rules controversy Even by the notorious rigidity of the Rules of Golf, this is cold-blooded.

In his final round in Dubai, Haotong Li was hit with a two-shot penalty on the final hole because…his caddie was lined up behind putt. A new rule specifies that from the time a player “begins to take a stance for the stroke” until the stroke is made, a caddie “must not deliberately stand on or close to an extension of the line of play behind the ball for any reason.” As Ryan Herrington notes, Li could have avoided the penalty had he backed off the stroke and retaken his stance.

However, video puts the validity of that penalty into question, as Li is barely into the stance in question:

@EuropeanTour this is a marginal interpretation of the new Rule 10.2b @haotong_li good playing. pic.twitter.com/jNxT0aokxj

— Brian McKinley (@brijon5555) January 27, 2019

And you thought the Saints-Rams refs were bad.

The penalty dropped Li from a T-3 to a T-12 finish, which translated to loss of $100,000 in earnings. Li did not speak to reporters afterwards. Not that he needed to; that replay idiotically speaks for itself.

  Source: golfdigest.com

The post Tiger Woods’ strong finish, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed squash their beef and a costly rules controversy: What you missed this weekend appeared first on Deer Track.

[puttergolf]

What I Learned About and From Home Putting Greens

When I was a kid of 12, something very interesting happened in our neighborhood. Down the street, at the corner of Florence and LaSalle, the folks who live on the northeast corner did something no one saw coming until the trucks showed up. They built a putting green in their backyard. Not just a putting green mind you, but a natural, bent grass putting green. Correction, it was their back yard. My dad, who artificial putting greens was encouraging me to learn the game of golf at the time, called those neighbors and got permission for me to use their putting green albeit under very strict rules. He may even have given them a security deposit. I got an hour a day three days a week from 4 o'clock to 5 o'clock, there was no running on the green and you never, ever putted with shoes on.

It seemed fair to me, so for the next three years I showed up at my appointed practice times wearing my best behavior and began the process of learning to become a good putter.During that time I improved immensely. Well enough, in fact, I entered and qualified to play in our three- County junior golf tournament in the 16 to 18 age bracket. It was a match play tournament with qualifying on Monday and finals on Sunday. I played in the final on Sunday and came in second. But I beat three players along the way that I knew were considered much better golfers than me.

The difference was putting. By that time, my backyard putting green practice had turned me into an excellent putter with high confidence. During the tournament, I never putted more than 27 times in a round with an average of 6.2 one-putt greens per round, two of which won the match.There is no bragging about coming in second, but what I did realize from that experience is how important putting is in the game of golf. I've practiced my putting diligently ever since. There are many insightful quotes from many famous golf pros about the importance of putting and they all seem true. The fact is that putting is about 50% of anyone's game. No bad putter ever shot a good golf score.

So what's my point? Having a home putting green that you don't have to travel very far to get to will maximize your practice time and optimize your golf score. I miss that bent grass green just down a few doors from us. However,with the synthetic, artificial turf choices that are available today for home putting greens they can feel very much like the real thing. In some cases, you can customize the slope so the putt will break as it would on a real green. I have a putting mat in my home now mainly because my wife won't let me make the extra bedroom into a putting room and the condo association won't let me put artificial grass in the hallways, although I've asked. But even that, over many years of practice, has made me an even better putter.

[bunkershotgolf]

Breakthrough Golf Technologies Review

Breakthrough Golf Technologies (BGT) is the latest venture from industry veteran Barney Adams, founder of Adams Golf and Tight Lies woods. This time however he is focusing on the short game-specifically putting and putter shafts. BGT is a stability putter shaft designed to improve putter-specific motion and performance. According to BGT “It increases flexural rigidity and significantly reduces torsional rotation through BGT’s patented design. It limits unwanted movement by stiffening the shaft by 25% without abolishing feel and reducing torque by almost 50%, to deliver the club face squarer at impact.  To the layman the BGT shaft is designed to keep the putter face from twisting, deliver a more consistent face angle that will produce a more consistent roll with enhanced distance control and feel. When you see the BGT shaft you realize that something is different. The first 5 inches or so from the head is your basic steel shaft. Then it gets interesting. From there you have a aluminum connector to a black graphite carbon fiber shaft.  Very stealth looking-in a good way. The BGT shaft can be fit with any putter head and grip. I don’t have sophisticated  high speed cameras and  leading edge computer technology to do testing but what I do have is my hands, ears and a scorecard and by these measures BGT works.   The BGT shaft is slightly heavier than your typical steel shaft and that is noticeable on the first few putts one takes. But like any new club or shaft, after a few practice sessions, the putter becomes dialed in. The feel, at least by this golfer, is enhanced. Vibration is lessened, the stroke seems more consistent and stable and as a result more putts are holed.  Better yet, long distanced lag putts become much easier. When it comes to stats, the one I like best is how does the equipment help me perform in competition.  The first tournament I played in with the BGT resulted in a T-1 on super fast undulating greens. Call it what you want, but the performance of the BGT shaft helped instill confidence in all areas of my game. It’s not too often that a golf product lives up to its claim, and I must admit I was a little skeptical at first.  But after a few rolls one can easily see, and feel, that the BGT technology is lives up to such claims and more. The Stability shaft retails for $199. At first blush that seems like a lot of money for a putter shaft. But, like many avid golfers that go through many putters throughout the season, I quickly came to believe that it was the putter shaft all along that was the difference for the most used and perhaps most important club in the bag.  And when you think about it that is still a discount when compared to a high priced driver shaft. The Stability Shaft is available at select retailers and at www.breakthroughgolftech.com

[your-dietician]

Amanda Bussey is becoming the gold standard for Special Olympics golf

New Post has been published on https://tattlepress.com/golf/amanda-bussey-is-becoming-the-gold-standard-for-special-olympics-golf/

Amanda Bussey is becoming the gold standard for Special Olympics golf

There’s a strong case to be made that one of the most versatile athletes on the First Coast is 36-year-old Special Olympian Amanda Bussey of Jacksonville. 

She’s certainly one of the most decorated. Bussey has won 18 medals in Florida State Special Olympics competition (seven gold, six silver and five bronze) and more than 30 medals when adding regional events. 

And Amanda has earned those medals in six sports: golf, bowling, basketball, soccer, surfing and stand-up paddle boarding. 

But her ticket to next year’s Special Olympics U.S. Games in Orlando is golf, where she qualified under the alternate-shot format, which pairs a Special Olympian with a family member or friend. They then take turns hitting shots on each hole for a team score. 

In Amanda Bussey’s case, her partner will be Hidden Hills member Jane Verkouten, a retired banker from Charlotte, N.C., who never imagined herself playing a sport on a national stage before she met Amanda – a match orchestrated by Robin Luck, another Hidden Hills member whose son Ryan plays Special Olympics golf. 

To this day Luck, who is a volunteer on the Northeast Florida Region Special Olympics management team, isn’t sure why he thought Amanda and Jane would make a good team. 

“I really didn’t know they would,” he said. “I just threw it out there. I thought Jane might be the type of person who was interested.” 

Amanda had been playing with her mother, but Julie Bussey, a real estate advisor for Engel and Volkers, was concerned her job wasn’t giving her enough time to play and practice and asked Luck to help her find another partner. 

Verkouten and her husband Steve Bona don’t have children together (Bona has one son from a previous marriage) but she doesn’t view the relationship with Amanda Bussey as a mother-daughter or even big sister-little sister dynamic. 

All she knows is that it works, and it has enriched her life. 

“She’s such an incredible, happy person,” Verkouten said of Amanda. “She’s so enthusiastic about playing and gets so excited when we have a round scheduled. I get texts from her all that day telling me how she can’t wait to get on the golf course. I would just describe it as a really good friendship. We celebrate birthdays and Christmas, go to lunch and dinner … and we play a lot of golf.” 

In addition to her intellectual disability, Amanda is deaf because of spinal meningitis that nearly killed her when she was 2 years old. Her mother, Verkouten and other family and close friends can understand her but mostly Amanda communicates with her eyes, gestures and smile — all of which speak volumes. 

And less than year out from the 2022 U.S. Special Olympics, Amanda is already counting down the days. 

“June 5,” she says excitedly, pumping both of her arms in the air. 

And while Amanda has excelled in multiple sports, golf is her favorite, for one key reason. 

“It takes a long time,” she said. 

Her mother explained. 

“It takes longer to play a round of golf than a basketball or soccer game,” she said. “That means Amanda gets to spend more time doing something she loves.” 

A happy baby, then questions 

Julie Bussey, a Bishop Kenny graduate, read all the baby books. She had long conversations with her doctor. She took all of the prenatal precautions. She was more than ready for her first-born child Amanda, who checked in at a healthy 7 pounds, 10 ounces on Sept. 23, 1984 at the Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, N.C., near Fort Bragg, where her father Larry was a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. 

In the first few weeks, friends and family fawned over Amanda’s dark brown eyes and curly dark hair. Words such as “gorgeous” and “beautiful” were music to the ears of her mother, who spent long hours cradling a happy infant who smiled frequently, nursed enthusiastically and hardly ever cried. 

“When she was hungry or needed changing, she could make these small sounds, a very subtle fuss,” Julie Bussey said. “She never cried at the top of her lungs. It was more of a pouty sound, and when she got fed or changed, she stopped. Everything was good.” 

But by the time Amanda reached four months old, her mother began noticing little things. She had read enough to know a baby’s timetable: when they could hold their heads up, when they could roll over or when they attempted to get on hands and knees to crawl. 

Months went by without Amanda reaching those milestones. Her mother had her tested at Walter Reed Army Hospital in suburban Washington D.C., and doctors didn’t come up with anything conclusive, other than Amanda had low muscle tone and slow motor skills. 

They eventually diagnosed her with muscular dystrophy, “just so we could start some therapy,” Julie Bussey said. 

Much later, then found out that Amanda had what is now called “I/DD” — intellectual and developmental differences. 

Once again, Julie Bussey followed doctors’ advice diligently and never missed a therapy session or working with her daughter at home. 

She became pregnant with her son Daniel (daughters Rachel and Tiffany would follow), with all four children born within a five-year span. 

It was large, happy family. 

Then every mother’s nightmare came dangerously close to coming true. 

Slipping away … then coming back 

Julie Bussey went to the small bedroom where 2-year-old Amanda had been put down for an afternoon nap a few hours earlier. When she picked her daughter up, Bussey said the feeling was as if Amanda “was on fire.” 

She quickly took the baby’s temperature: 105 degrees. Amanda was rushed to Fort Bragg’s Womack Medical Center, where measures were quickly taken to try to control the raging fever. 

There was little change the next morning. Julie Bussey had not left her child’s side but watching her laying on her back, listless, hardly moving, a horrible feeling began coursing through her body. 

“I saw her leaving me,” Julie Bussey said. “I called for the nurse and told her, ‘I can see her going away … get someone in here. Do something.’” 

Doctors did a spinal tap and more aggressive antibiotics were started. Julie Bussey was told the devastating news: Amanda might not survive the day. 

But it’s also when Julie Bussey found out that she had one tough little girl. Amanda held on … and slowly came back. She was in the hospital for two weeks before being discharged. 

Julie Bussey said one other child in their neighborhood caught meningitis but never really found out how Amanda contracted it. 

Later, they found out one lasting effect: Amanda was completely deaf in her left ear, and she is unable to hear high-frequency sounds in her right ear. 

The meningitis also slowed down Amanda’s physical therapy and timetable for crawling, walking and talking. 

However, she more than made up for lost time. 

Catching up and being a kid 

By the time Amanda was 5 years old, her motor skills began catching up to what was considered typical for a child that age. Her mother moved her and her brother and sisters back to the First Coast in 1990 and soon after, Amanda hit every kid milestone on time: learning to ride a bike, swim and more than that, keep up with her siblings and the other kids in their Atlantic Beach neighborhood. 

It was almost as if Amanda had some catching up to do. 

“Physically, she caught everyone and there wasn’t a thing that the other kids were doing that she couldn’t do,” Julie Bussey said. “And we treated her as normally as possible. Her brother and sisters were always great with her, and the kids in the neighborhood accepted her, once they learned to understand her challenges as far as her hearing and speech.” 

Family friends expressed some surprise that Julie Bussey made the same demands of Amanda as her other children. 

“She had to clean her room, clear the table after dinner … everything the other kids had to do,” she said. “People would actually be surprised about that but Amanda was the one who wouldn’t have it any other way.” 

The difficult part was when Julie Bussey’s other children began going to Fletcher High School, getting their driver’s license and getting after-school jobs. Amanda simply couldn’t engage in most of the rites of passage for teenagers. 

One place where Amanda wasn’t held back was sports. She has been competitive in every sport she’s attempted but golf is what got her to the U.S. Special Olympics, where she and Ryan Luck are the only two of an estimated 1,200 Special Olympic athletes in Duval qualified in golf, and among 17 statewide. 

Going for the gold 

Once Amanda started winning Special Olympics medals, there has been no stopping her. And it’s to the point where silver and bronze aren’t good enough anymore. 

“She hates to lose,” her mother said. “You can tell that when she’s on the podium with the other athletes to get their medals, she’s not happy unless she’s standing on the higher step for gold.” 

Amanda Bussey began playing golf 12 years ago when The Players Championship sponsored a clinic for special-needs adults at the TPC Sawgrass. Her mother had no idea how good her daughter would be but it only took one swing to convince her. 

“She started hitting the ball and it was like anything else she’s tried … she’s a natural athlete,” Julie Bussey said. “I kept thinking, ‘wow’ … one more thing she can do.” 

Special Olympics golfers have to progress in stages. They must first perform in a skills challenge not unlike Augusta National’s Drive, Chip and Putt competition, then progress to the second phase, playing alternate shot with a non-Special Olympian. 

That’s where Verkouten came in. The two then had to win a gold medal at the Florida Special Olympics and then go into a lottery system 

They found out in mid-June that Amanda and Verkouten had made it. In Orlando next year, they will be competing against more than 200 other golfers from the U.S. representing all 50 states. 

“She loves the game and she keeps getting better,” Verkouten said of Amanda. “She hits incredible tee shots, but like every other golfer, she’ll have some good and bad shots, good and bad putts. We’re both kind of unpredictable that way. But she will play as often as she can get out there.” 

“Putting is hard,” Amanda agreed. 

She then pointed to a leather tag on her golf bag that has become their mantra: “No water, no sand.” 

Out on her own

Amanda Bussey moved out of her mother’s house five years ago and lives at the Arc Jacksonville Village, a residence for adults with special needs who are able to live and work on their own. 

She had a job at Steinmart for 16 years before the chain went out of business, and now works at Marshall’s. She has three nephews and nieces and is the “fun” aunt, according to her mother. 

“She loves babies and they’ve loved her right back,” Julie Bussey said. “She’s an adult but she’s still such a kid at heart. It’s why she loves sports so much.” 

Golf may become the fastest-growing sport for children and adults with special needs. This past spring, Amy Bockerstette of Paradise Valley Community College near Phoenix, already believed to be the first athletes with Down syndrome to play college sports on scholarship, achieved another first, playing in the National Junior College Championship women’s championship in Ormond Beach. 

Modern sports psychologists who work with golfers stress staying in the moment, not worrying about results and putting both good and bad shots behind. Julie Bussey said that’s exactly how her daughter not only plays golf but approaches life. 

“She takes joy in hitting every shot,” she said of her daughter. “I wish I could live in her world just for five minutes – not worry about work, the cable bill, food prices – just live for every moment. That’s the blessing she gives all of us.” 

Verkouten said her relationship and the days she has spent with Amanda on the golf course have taught her a valuable lesson.

“When I’m having a bad day at golf, I just think of how happy it makes Amanda to just be out there,” she said. “Then you don’t worry so much about a bad shot.”

About Special Olympics

• The Northeast Florida Region of Special Olympics has more than 3,000 athletes — around 1,200 in Duval County.

• There will be 17 athletes from the Northeast Florida Region who will represent the state in the Special Olympics U.S. Games in Orlando June 5-12, 2022.

• More than 4,000 athletes and 10,000 volunteers will participate in the U.S. Games.

• For information on the programs offered in Northeast Florida Special Olympics, visit the web site at specialolympicsflorida.org/northeast.

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