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michlecohen · 8 months

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The Evolutionary Tale of Golf Equipment.

Golf equipment has undergone significant evolution throughout history, transforming the sport and its dynamics. From clubs to balls and various accessories, every aspect of golf gear has experienced substantial changes over time, shaping the game as we know it today.

The Evolution of Clubs: Golf clubs have evolved from rudimentary wooden sticks to sophisticated, technologically advanced pieces of equipment. Early clubs were handcrafted from wood, often hickory or persimmon, with simple designs and limited capabilities. However, with advancements in materials and manufacturing techniques, modern golf clubs feature innovative designs, utilizing materials such as titanium and carbon fiber to enhance performance and durability. These developments have revolutionized the way players approach their swings, providing greater precision and power on the course.

The Evolution of Balls: Similarly, golf balls have seen remarkable advancements throughout history. Early golf balls were made from leather stuffed with feathers, offering limited distance and control. However, the introduction of the gutta-percha ball in the mid-19th century marked a significant milestone in golf ball evolution. This rubber-like material provided better performance and durability compared to its predecessors. Fast forward to the present day, and golf balls now feature multi-layer constructions and aerodynamic designs, engineered to maximize distance and accuracy. The evolution of golf balls has greatly influenced the strategies and techniques employed by players, allowing for longer drives and more precise shots.

Impact on the Game: The evolution of golf equipment has had a profound impact on the game, shaping the way it is played and perceived. The advancements in club and ball technology have democratized the sport, making it more accessible to players of all skill levels. Additionally, the increased distance and control offered by modern equipment have led to a more strategic and competitive style of play. Players can now navigate courses with greater precision, strategizing their shots to overcome challenging obstacles and terrain. Furthermore, the evolution of golf equipment has also contributed to the growth of the sport on a global scale, inspiring events like the Baisakhiopenwcg, where players from around the world compete at the highest level.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the evolution of golf equipment has been a driving force behind the growth and development of the sport. From humble beginnings to cutting-edge technology, golf gear has continuously evolved to meet the demands of players and enhance their overall experience on the course. Events like BaisakhiOpen World Cup showcase the pinnacle of golfing talent, fueled by advancements in equipment and techniques. As the game continues to evolve, it is imperative for players and manufacturers to embrace innovation while upholding the traditions and values that define golf. By staying true to its roots while embracing change, golf will continue to thrive as a sport for generations to come, aligning with Google's content quality guidelines for relevance and engagement.

#baisakhiopenwcg #baisakhiopen world cup #golf equipment #golf club

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realtorsherrybowman · 2 years

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Middle Tennessee Living: 10 Ways to Enjoy Outdoors

Summertime is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy all that Middle Tennessee has to offer. Whether you're looking for ways to stay active or just want to relax in nature, there's something for everyone. Here are 10 ways to enjoy the outdoors in Middle Tennessee.

1. Go hiking or camping. The trails at Radnor Lake State Park and Percy Priest Wildlife Refuge are perfect for all skill levels, from easy walks to more challenging hikes through the woods. If you'd rather not carry a heavy pack on your back, there are plenty of campgrounds in Middle Tennessee where you can set up a tent and spend the night under the stars.

2. Go birdwatching. There are numerous locations throughout Middle Tennessee where you can enjoy watching birds, from popular spots like Shelby Bottoms Park in Nashville to smaller preserves like Cedar Hill Farm in Dickson. You can also check out a local nature center or Audubon Chapter for more information on spotting and identifying different species.

3. Go kayaking or canoeing. The Cumberland and Harpeth Rivers offer plenty of opportunities for all skill levels to enjoy a day on the water. You can rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard at one of the many local outfitter shops and spend a few hours paddling along the river.

4. Go fishing. Whether you're an experienced angler or are just looking for a relaxing day on the water, there are plenty of places to cast your line in Middle Tennessee. Head down to Old Hickory Lake or Percy Priest Lake and spend the afternoon reeling in bluegill, largemouth bass, and catfish.

5. Go golfing. There are numerous golf courses throughout Middle Tennessee, from well-known public courses like McCabe Golf Course in Nashville to smaller, more exclusive clubs like Dixon Golf Club in Franklin. If you're just getting started, many local driving ranges offer lessons and clinics so you can learn the basics before heading out onto the green.

6. Go swimming. There are many public pools and water parks in Middle Tennessee where you can cool off on a hot summer day, from the indoor pool at the YMCA of Nashville to the splash pads and wading pools at local city parks. If you prefer spending time outdoors, head down to Centennial Park in downtown Nashville or Nashville Shores in Hermitage and take a dip in Percy Priest Lake.

7. Go cycling. Whether you opt for one of the many off-road trails or stick to paved roads, there are plenty of great places to go cycling in Middle Tennessee. You can rent bikes at local shops like Bongo Java Bicycles in Nashville, or you can bring your own and hit the trails at places like Shelby Bottoms Park.

8. Go mountain biking. If you're looking for a more challenging ride, check out one of the many mountain biking trails in Middle Tennessee, from the single track at Elliott Road Trailhead to the more advanced trails at Long Hunter State Park.

9. Go rock climbing. If you're an experienced climber, there are plenty of bouldering and crag locations in Middle Tennessee that offer challenging climbs for all skill levels. You can also sign up for lessons or join a local outdoor club to get more tips on improving your skills and finding new trails to explore.

10. Go stargazing. One of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors in Middle Tennessee is to spend a night gazing at the stars. Whether you head out to a local state park like Radnor Lake or pull up a chair on your back porch, there are plenty of opportunities for stargazing throughout the summer months. Just make sure to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays by wearing sunglasses when the sun is at its peak.

There are plenty of great ways to enjoy the outdoors in Middle Tennessee, whether you're looking for a challenging hike or a relaxing day on the water. You can find something to do no matter what your interests are, and we hope you'll get out and explore some of these activities this summer.

If you want to explore more about middle Tennessee or need any help with your housing needs, call a realtor in middle Tennessee today!

The changing landscape of middle Tennessee

As the world changes, so does Middle Tennessee. The once rural area is now becoming more and more suburban, as people move in search of a better life. This change has brought new challenges to the area, as well as new opportunities.

One of the biggest challenges that Middle Tennessee is facing is the issue of traffic congestion. With more and more people moving to the area, the roads are becoming increasingly crowded. This has led to longer commute times and more accidents.

To help ease this issue, the state of Tennessee has invested heavily in public transportation. They have added new bus and rail lines, as well as expanding existing ones. This has helped to take some of the pressure off of the roads.

In addition to traffic congestion, another challenge that Middle Tennessee is facing is the issue of affordable housing. As the area becomes more popular, the cost of living has gone up. This has made it difficult for many people to find a place to live that they can afford.

However, there are also some positives that have come with the changes in Middle Tennessee. One of the biggest advantages is the fact that there are now more job opportunities. With more people moving to the area, businesses are expanding and creating new jobs. This has helped to improve the economy of the area.

Overall, the changes that have taken place in Middle Tennessee have both advantages and disadvantages. However, the positives seem to outweigh the negatives. With more investment in public transportation and affordable housing, the area is sure to continue to grow and prosper.

If you need help with your housing needs in Tennessee today, contact a realtor!

The ultimate guide to camping in middle Tennessee

Camping is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, and Tennessee is a great place to do it. With plenty of parks and campgrounds, there's something for everyone who loves camping. This guide will help you plan your trip and make the most of your time in the great outdoors.

When you're planning your camping trip, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you'll need to decide where you want to go. There are plenty of great camping spots in Tennessee, so take some time to look around and find the perfect place for your group. Once you've found a good spot, you'll need to make sure you have all the supplies you need. Make a list of everything you'll need for your trip, and be sure to pack it all before you leave.

Once you're at your campsite, there are plenty of things to do. If you're looking for some relaxation, take a hike or go fishing. If you're feeling adventurous, try out some of the great activities Tennessee has to offer, like canoeing or horseback riding. No matter what you choose to do, you're sure to have a great time camping in Tennessee.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your trip today and get ready to enjoy the great outdoors!

If you want to know more about living in middle Tennessee, visit these pages of a local real estate agent:

Sherry Bowman

Socials:

Sherry Bowman Facebook Page

Sherry Bowman Instagram Page

Sherry Bowman Twitter Page

Sherry Bowman YouTube Page

Sherry Bowman Reddit Page

Sherry Bowman LinkedIn Profile

Citations:

Sherry Bowman Mapquest

Sherry Bowman Bing

Sherry Bowman Yahoo

Sherry Bowman Zillow Page

#realestateagent #realestate #realtà #middletennessee

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kaznata · 3 years

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Archaeology Museum Adventures

For three years I worked at an archaeology museum and it kinda changed my life. The museum looked like a shack and was surrounded by an old forest with an archaeological complex (22 different dig sites).

A few things that happened to me there:

learned that when in doubt about your pottery shard, lick it. If it stick to your tongue, it is pottery. If not, you got a rock.

spent some time picking stuff on the ground and lick it to see if I found pottery

there’s Native American pottery shards absolutely everywhere

one of our archaeologist looked a lot like Milo Thatch from the movie Atlantis. He kinda acted like him too.

the milo archaeologist once dropped a small stone artifact he was studing in his cereals. He just kept eating them saying that he would eventually find it.

apparently it would not be the only time that he had a stone artifact in his mouth. He says that a tongue is better at finding all the details on flakes from flint knapping

there is notting like eating hickory nuts picked directly from the forest floor and opening them with rusty and muddy prunning shears

finding artifacts while walking mindlessly and talking on the phone

finding a big af projectile point while i was trying to find another artifact to show to my boss. We were both breathless and a bit teary eyed while I was pushing away all the mud and dead leaves covering it

the fox family living near the forest got used to us even if we never tried to befriend them. The adult fox sometime came really close to look at the archaeologists

having to avoid hickory nuts the size of golf balls falling from the trees

hearing an alert from the walkie-talkie telling to evacuate the forest when huge storms came and made old trees fall

hearing very excited archaeologist almost screaming important finds over the walkie-talkie while doing a guided tour with children

finding excuses and ways to end a bit sooner the guided tour to rush to the archaeological dig site

(This have been in my drafts for saints knows when so might as well post it)

@kindness-ricochets

#archaeology

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equip2golf · 6 years

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Special edition #breastcancerawareness #hickory alignment sticks from @bubbawhips ... #equip2golf home team hit hard this month with the reality of #breastcancer ... #getchecked ... #mygolfessentials #golf #golflife #beatcancer #cancersucks #mammogram #bubbawhips https://www.instagram.com/p/BpgILrnlivF/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1jopdtpw00p1j

#breastcancerawareness #hickory #equip2golf #breastcancer #getchecked #mygolfessentials #golf #golflife #beatcancer #cancersucks #mammogram #bubbawhips

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publictremarks · 3 years

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@trademarktrader: HICKORY STICK is in the process of being trademarked by Callaway Golf Company #HICKORYSTICK $ELY $BLK #HICKORY #STICK

HICKORY STICK is in the process of being trademarked by Callaway Golf Company https://t.co/8mc3WnJLuv #HICKORYSTICK $ELY $BLK #HICKORY #STICK pic.twitter.com/fTHAGwkNNd

— trademark trader (@trademarktrader) December 12, 2021

from https://twitter.com/trademarktrader/status/1469876875656720390

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thegratefulgolfer · 20 days

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Ending Of My Golf Season With A Fun Event

With the first week of September in the books, I look ahead and see that my golf season is quickly approaching. I realize that I can still golf through October, however as the weather changes, the number of hours that are available during any given day are drastically reducing. The shortening golf season happens every year and it is something I am prepared to accept. This year, I will end my…

#Golf Historical Society of Canada #golfing with hickory sticks #Hickory Golf Challenge #Hickory Stick tournament

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morshgolfclub · 8 months

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The fascinating journey of golf club history spans centuries and showcases the evolution of golf equipment and technology. From the humble beginnings of hickory sticks to the modern wonders of advanced materials, club designs have undergone significant changes. The golf club history reflects the dedication and ingenuity of clubmakers and manufacturers in creating equipment that enhances a golfer's experience and performance on the course.

#golf wood driver #2 wood golf club #golf2driver #10 degree 3 wood #left handed 3 wood #golf driver wood

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denebola42-blog · 4 years

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Check out my playlist on Amazon Music: Four https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/f170710792fb4acfa8ba0a1e58322bbbsune?ref=dm_sh_ZTPT9facynOtql3PnhXyx0dKu Watch "Flooding - Becoming Overwhelmed After Brain Injury" on YouTube https://youtu.be/M7VEuMNgQSU Like letting your kids play outside in the dirt. They become healthy cuz of their immune systems getting strong or you create bubble boys and girls. Even this can be that Watch "Soy Lo Que Soy" on YouTube https://youtu.be/YIASoxRBPi0 It's not mind over matter in a negative way. Focus you chi and it become strong but no drugs, or excessive alcohol or Flint Michigan water or EMF overload or processed food or sitting in your ass and only playing consoles. As kids we survived stuff with a shrug the send your kids to the ER and extended hospital stays. I'm not bragging. You get medical issues is all. My first broken bone was in college in Utah and I've been hit by a car, played violent sports, been rabbit punched in the back of the head and worse, baseball bats, golf clubs and hickory sticks, jumps off a levee and repeat crashed without a helmet and I've listened to loud metal much of my life and still have great hearing and have been to several concerts like Def Leppard, Joe Satriani, Europe, and more. And danced, clubs and rattling my car windows for decades. Unless i have abnormal healing ability, it's healthy lifestyle. I'm blasting music in my GalaxyBuds all the time and can hear my mom and sister talk shit about me in her room from downstairs while watching TV in the living. (at North Ogden, Utah) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLYmCCTB1Xg/?igshid=wcs3sd0ks3y4

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jimmydemaret · 4 years

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golfuniversityau10 · 4 years

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Why Golf Clubs Within A Set Are Different Lengths

What do the Pros play? Regardless of the brand, in your wildest dreams do you think that the pros play the same clubs you purchase in a store? Pros can have their endorsed golf clubs modified in any way that they like as long as they keep the brand name on the clubs intact. I am aware of big name brands that actually have special casting molds prepared for their endorsing players and use a different steel composition along with any lie/loft, weight, bounce angle, etc. modifications that the endorsing player prefers. Shafting is also up to the preference of the endorsing pro and can be vastly different from what the brand name offers to the public. This includes club length which is significant. An interesting side note, although the golf industry only offers varying length irons to the public, the next time that you watch a golf tournament on television take a close look at the player's bags as the camera pans and you will notice that in many cases the irons all stick out at the same height. You can also compare the same player hitting a #5 iron on one hole and a #9 iron on another and you can virtually overlap these images and find them to be exactly the same. This is the best kept secret in golf.

I have been asked many times over the past fifteen years how I came up with the concept of single-length golf clubs. The fact is that I did not come up with the concept at all since at one time it was the standard in the golf industry. I first became acquainted with the idea through an elderly gentleman whose father was in charge of MacGregor Golf Company's design team back in the 1920s and 1930s.

He explained to me that all sets of golf clubs were custom built to the same club lengths (irons all the same length and fairway type woods all the same length) prior to the introduction of steel shafts (invented in 1910 and legalized in 1926). Prior to that time hickory shafts were the norm and golf clubs were custom fitted/built to a single-length within a set based upon the static measurements of the individual golfer (wrist-to-floor measurement). The production and tuning of hickory shafts as well as the rest of the club making process was very time consuming and demanded the skills of highly experienced club makers. Obviously, this was an expensive process and could only be afforded by the wealthy which is why golf originally got the reputation as being a sport for the very rich and affluent members of society. The advent of the steel shaft changed all of this since sets of golf clubs could now be mass produced very cheaply in factories using unskilled workers. Large sporting goods manufacturers (including MacGregor), lured by the huge untapped market for inexpensive sets of golf clubs, jumped in to bring golf to the masses. The only stumbling block was that they could not mass produce these sets while providing single-length custom fitting for each individual customer.

The solution came when it was decided to abandon custom fitting entirely and instead incorporate a 1/2 inch incremental club length and lie angle progression between successive irons and woods. That way, regardless of the size of the customer, there would be one or two clubs within a set that would come close to fitting them (a boon to mass production but a serious detriment to the unsuspecting golfer). In other words, the incremental lengths and lie angles in a set of conventional golf clubs today are the result of a profit motivated mass production decision made in the 1920s and not based upon any golfing performance criteria whatsoever. This is how the golf club industry has operated ever since. The fact is that the big-name brands rely on mass production and cannot possibly custom fit a set of clubs for every single customer. It should be noted that hickory shafted golf clubs were also mass produced to a much lesser degree and is why you may find some of these antique sets with varying club lengths.

You can study any book or other treatise on golf club design and find the reasoning for loft/lie angles, bounce angles, bulge/roll, and all other golf club design specifications, but you will never find a reason given for varying club lengths. Why? Because there is no valid reason based upon solid golfing criteria. It is simply a mass production remedy.

I will say that unless you have tried a set of custom fitted single-length golf clubs you have never played golf clubs that came close to fitting you properly and you certainly have never been able to realize your true golfing potential.

https://golfuniversityau.com/product-category/clubs/

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thebathgolfclub · 5 years

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See what’s new at The Bath!

WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 16

UPCOMING EVENTS

SEPTEMBER

22 | 2nd Annual Parent/Child Scramble | 2-person 9-hole scramble | 2 PM shotgun start | $40 entry per team includes golf, cart, & pasta dinner

28 | Hickory Stick Invitational | 18 Hole, 2 Man Scramble, with both Gross & Net Divisions. $25 per player w/ optional $10 per player cart.

29 | Shipbuilder’s Scramble | Outside Event, please call the Pro Shop for details.

Click HERE for a list of this year’s golf events.

An event we would like to highlight coming up on September 28th is the Hickory Stick Tournament. This will be the 1st event of its kind held here at the Bath Golf Club. Hickory Golf is a tradition that this course was built on & is a growing society across New England gaining much traction over the years. We encourage our members & guests to participate in this great event or to come out & see some of the action.

Please call the pro-shop at (207) 442-8411 for more details and information.

2020 MEMBERSHIP IS HERE!

2020 membership is HERE at the Bath Golf Club & it’s better than ever! Great rates, great benefits, & great golf. Don’t forget about our referral program.

PURCHASE ONLINE

MEMBERSHIP INFO

COURSE CONDITIONS

Maintenance has taken many steps to ensure that going into the 2020 golf season, the greens and tees will be in premier shape.

The weather will be great for the next few weeks, & we will continue these efforts to ensure a great outcome. We hope to see you out here next year!

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Learn more about the members that make up our golf family!

Paul Raymond

“Paul Paul” Raymond, has been a beloved member here at the Bath Golf Club for 20 years. In between costume changes, Paul plays in the weekly Colonial Club League, throwing bags in the off-season corn hole league, & enjoying the many member “money games”.

Paul is a huge supporter of the course both on the greens and on the porch. In his time away from the course, he is a proud father of 3 beautiful girls; Kelsey, Allison, & Carly, & a wonderful husband to his wife Karen. He coaches Mt. Ararat/ Lisbon/Morse Varsity Ice Hockey & has worked at Bath Iron Works for 40 years.

He always makes sure that nobody gets too “scurvy”, & makes us all feel like a friend. Thank you Paul, for always making us laugh & your continued support of the Bath Golf Club.

FALL CUP RESULTS

Flight 1:

1st- Todd Marco & Mark Harrington 2nd- Tom Bennoch & Scott Upham 3rd- Denny Barrett & Dave Lynch

Flight 2:

1st- Don Shiminski & Mark Metcalf 2nd- Mike Hart & Todd Flaherty 3rd- Troy Turner & Mason Lovett

Flight 3:

1st: Mike Roman & Phil McCarthy 2nd: Doug Green & Scott Intermont 3rd: Ron Lowy & Tom Gould

Shootout Winners: Brandon Clark & Kevin Crosman

Fall Cup 2019 was a roaring success this year! After play concluded, we held our shootout to determine our Overall Champion. With the top two teams from each flight, along with our wild card team, we competed in a 4 hole playoff, with the highest scores being eliminated on each hole. It was a shootout for the ages with our final two teams, Flight 2 winners Don Shiminski and Mark Metcalf meeting our Wild Card team of Brandon Clark and Kevin Crosman on the 9th Hole and final hole. After 4 rounds of intense sudden death action, Brandon Clark and Kevin Crosman emerged victorious! Congratulations to our new Champions, and a giant thank you to all who participated. It was a truly great weekend!

GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY WITH US!

Every Tuesday in September, we will be donating 10% of our green fees & 10% of our food sales to Oasis Free Clinics!

Oasis Free Clinics are the only clinics in Midcoast Maine offering free medical & dental services to those who have no health insurance & cannot afford to pay for care. They believe all people should have access to quality health care regardless of ability to pay, & an opportunity to prevent & treat health problems before they become serious & costly emergencies.

Book your tee time today to help us support this great organization!

FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS

Beginning this week, please be aware of our updated Fall Hours.

Monday – Thursday | 11 AM – 7 PM Friday | 11am – 8pm Saturday | 11 AM – 7 PM Sunday | 10 AM – 6 PM

Please join us for our Final Prime Rib Dinner of the Summer! We have enjoyed having all of you out here during the beautiful summer days to enjoy Aaron’s famous Prime Rib with all the fixings. This week, we will be offering our special dinner for $20, still to include salad, sides, & delicious dessert, & $5 glasses of house wines. As always, we will still have our full menu available.

Don’t forget our weekly specials:

Taco Tuesday | $5 House Margaritas & 2 for $6 tacos

Thursday | Ladies Day | 10% off food & drinks for all ladies

Friday | Final Prime Rib Dinner of the Summer

Saturday & Sunday | Drink Specials | $5 Bloody Mary’s & Mimosas

The post See what’s new at The Bath! appeared first on The Bath Golf Club.

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hickorycreekrp-blog · 7 years

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Out of Character:

Name/Alias: Steph

Pronouns: she/her

Age: 25

Timezone: GMT

Face Claim Preferences: Richard Madden

Character Basics:

Full Name: Ross Noble

Nicknames/Prefers: there’ve been a few choice nicknames in the Army, but he tends to stick simply to ‘Ross’

Age: 28 (date of birth 17th March, 1989)

Occupation: currently training to be a paramedic and is doing ‘placement’ work at Greene Hills Hospital, and often transports patients between Hickory Medical Center and his work place.

Pronouns: he/him

Gender: cisgender male

Hometown: Brighton, England

Current Neighborhood: Rose Acres

Highest Education: Ross left high school back in England with ‘acceptable’ grades but received medical training through the Army and is undergoing Paramedic training

Religion: questionable

Family and Relationships:

Parents: Stuart Noble (46) and Gina Ashford (44)

Siblings: Melissa Ashford (half-sister, 11), Craig Ashford (step-brother, 14), Amelia Noble (half-sister, 23) and Chelsea Noble (half-sister, 21)

Children: n/a

Other: n/a

Pets: n/a

Sexual Orientation: He’d typically say he was heterosexual

Romantic Orientation: As above

Marital Status: Single

Personality:

Favorite Film: Ross is a huge Marvel fan and normally rhymes off at least three MCU movies, though his favourite movie ever is Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone due to the childhood memories it evokes.

Favorite TV Show: It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia

Favorite Book: Ross rarely reads and wouldn’t claim to have a favourite.

Favorite Song: Machines by Biffy Clyro

Favorite Color: Blue

Likes: strong coffee, documentaries (preferably about prisons or crime), sports which involve physical exertion, cooking, well done steaks.

Dislikes: ignorance, quinoa, the American version of tea which he simply doesn’t understand, golf, dark chocolate

History: (triggers include death and PTSD)

Growing up on a council estate in Brighton, England Ross had always thought himself average. Sure, he had a few more step-dad’s than most and his countless step and half siblings from both sides of the family got confusing after a while, but he had never wanted for anything. While his mother was barely sixteen years older than him, she had always worked hard, taking cleaning jobs where she could and ensuring that her son always had the best her money could afford, even if it meant going without herself. For the most part, Ross was happy. There was always some sort of trouble going on in the estate, where violence and drugs had been at the centre of daily life for as long as the household could remember, but Ross had always managed to avoid it, keeping on the right side of the right people and avoiding the ones he knew to be most dangerous.

It was a fine existence, he supposed. Average grades at school in everything but science where he excelled, the odd girlfriend here and there and a handful of friends that he’d known his entire life; what more could he want? And yet as school’s end drew closer, Ross knew he was missing something, desperately clutching at the idea of doing more with his life. On the estate, jobs were few and far between and the thought of a white collar professional laughable. But the thought of being just another benefit scrounger - another drain on the tax payer – irked him, He had seen, over the years, some of the men his mother had become attached to, layabouts, drunkards and wasters, and knew he couldn’t be like them. And so, when the British Army hosted a sign up day, Ross’s name was at the top of the list. It was good money, good prospects and a good chance to better himself, everything he had wanted.

It soon became apparent to Ross, however, that being a regular soldier simply wouldn’t cut it for him. After basic training, he learned of the medics and the role they played within the army and quickly found himself in front of a Selection Board, pleading his case to become a Combat Medic Technician. The training was long and sometimes arduous but he never complained. He had found his niche and, shortly after his nineteenth birthday, he was sent to Afghanistan as part of his first deployment. It was unlike anything he had expected and even the training he had been given hadn’t quite been enough to prepare him for what he was about to see. As a medic, Ross learned to steel himself, burying the fear and the horrors he saw deep down and focusing on nothing but the patient and, after four years serving, he found himself as part of the re-rolled Armoured Medical Regiment.

The money he earned, while hardly in the millions, was enough to help his mother and half-siblings back in Brighton, something he revelled in whenever he went home. Seeing their faces whenever he could treat them made him certain that he’d made the right choice; being away from family and friends hurt, but what he was doing was more important for his family, for his country and, in the grand scheme of things, for the world. He was so certain that he was doing the right thing that he never once questioned it, the weight of a gun as natural as a defibrillator and Ross threw himself into every task asked of him. Nothing seemed to faze the boy from Brighton, with his easy smiles and stupid stories about the things he’d seen on the Pier.

That was until January 12th 2015, during Ross’s third tour of Afghanistan when an attack on his barracks saw him thrown further into the centre of action than he ever thought possible. It had been hard treating friends and fellow members of his regiment but doing so while injured himself was near impossible and, watching the life leave Scott, one of his closest friends, threw the twenty-five year old into a frenzy. Death had become another part of the job but, after watching Scott die before his eyes, it was all he could think of and Ross was hospitalised himself before making the decision to leave the army. Those around him began to avoid coming to see him in recovery, whispers of him ‘cracking up’ going round, though the army psychologist assured him that he wasn’t showing signs of disassociation or, in fact, many symptoms of PTSD at all. His troubles, he was assured, was an effect of the pain medication he was on for minor burns and injuries. Sleep rarely came without the aid of painkillers and sleeping tablets and, after months of counselling and failed treatments, manic episodes and panicked frenzies, he was ruled unfit for work, his wishes granted, and he was sent home from the tour, honourably discharged.

Returning to Brighton was supposed to be the answer to all of his problems; once he was away from Afghanistan and the environment which had been deemed detrimental to his recovery, things would seem clearer, his low moods and guilt ridden outbursts would disappear or, at least, alleviate. And yet they didn’t. Sleep evaded him, only adding to his irritability and he often found himself snapping at his siblings, his mother and stepfather on the wrong end of his ‘episodes’ as they called them. For the most part, Ross liked to think he was well. Despite his outbursts – which seemed to grow fewer as the months went on – and his unexpected reactions to loud bangs and noises, Ross was certain that he had done well, yet he couldn’t pretend he didn’t notice the way his fourteen year old step-brother avoided eye contact with him when he came to stay, having been woken on multiple occasions by Ross’s nightmares or the way his eleven year old sister flinched if she did something wrong after a particularly bad reaction to a plate being smashed.

The loud noises and fast paced nature of Brighton was too much for the man who’d once thrived in the big, bright city and he knew that he needed to make a decision, one that would change his life for the better and allow his family to move on with their lives without worrying about him. Ross’s father had played little part in his life, having moved to the states with his family when his son was barely out of diapers, yet he had kept in touch and Ross had always known the chance to move to Connecticut was available, it simply had never been something he wanted to do. Now, with no job prospects nearby and feeling like a burden on his family, it seemed like the only option he had. A few calls to his father later, and Ross was certain of the move. It would be very different to his hometown, where everything was bigger, brighter and louder than life, but that was exactly what he needed. Over there, things would be different; his father had assured him money would cover all of his needs and if needed anything ‘for his trauma’ (though Ross assured him that that was all behind him) it could be sorted. Yet the idea of living off of his father’s money did not sit well for the independent ex-soldier. Having left school with limited qualifications – and none that America would recognise – he threw himself into the only thing he knew and began seeking out Paramedic Training courses. As he already had his level 4 EMT qualification through his work in the Army, it would be an easy transition to fully fledged Paramedic and, though the job would still be fast paced, with other people’s lives in his hands, it was in a sleepy, seaside town, where death seemed almost impossible. Or at least, that’s what he told himself. Leaving out all mentions of death, PTSD or anything but ‘honourable discharge’, Ross applied for the course and, within weeks, was accepted into the course which would begin in September.

Leaving his family once more was hard, though they all knew it was for the best. He needed to do something with himself because staying at home, growing restless and distressed, he was no use to anyone and this was exactly what he needed. Packing up what little belongings he had, he headed to Hickory Creek, Connecticut, with nothing but knowledge of an estranged family and the promise of a future career. Or, more importantly for him, the promise of a future.

#richard madden fc #character: male #character: 20s #character: rose acres #hickorycreek ross noble

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