[Team Competition] - and Comradeship (4/4)

When I arrived at the Middle Island Country Club about one hour before

we were supposed to start, I could see a lot of players were there up the

hill - where the course's logo written as "MICC" on the lawn.

I parked my car where I could see the 9th hole all the way and I liked the

parking spot - it's open space I could see all the way to the end of the course.

And I went up the hill.

So many friends I knew, so many young players strange to me were there

already.

"Hyungnim, I'll treat you with a cup of coffee".

Son Yeung-chul, our First President of Jingolhoe said.

I followed him into the course's cafeteria and I got a bottle of cold warter.

The course has 27 holes, three 9 holes, and we started 3th hole, Par 5,

at "Spruce Course". I could see Son Yeung-chul 'sun-su' was behind our

some as B group.

I hit tee-shot as the first for the A group and I landed on the edge of Rough,

but I knew I could mange 2nd shot from there. The other two young guys

hit L~ong, about 50 yards in front of my ball. But I didn't care much about

their Long Drive Shot. As you know, Golf is not just only by Long Shots,

even though they make you feel Somebody to hit such shots.

I got out nicely from the edge of Rough using my 6 Iron leaving about 60

yards from the Green with Sand Bunker in front of the ball. I couldn't make

up my mind which Club to use - soft landing for Sand Wedge? Or Pitching,

not to be short and landing on the Bunker? I was anxious to make Birdie

from the first hole

   - which was "The Fatal Mistake" I ever made all my entire Golf Career!

The ball landed short of the Green in the Bunker and I hit it out to the Green,

but I started limping after I pulled my left leg's calf muscle. That was the End

of my Decent Golf Competition and That was the Beginning of Miserable Day

all day.

That was it, but I dragged my legs all 18 holes and finished - Limping.

"You should have stopped at the first hole when you pulled muscle"

Mr. Cha Ho-sung, our Secretary General said to me with synpathy after

Mr. Kwon Young-hoon pulled his car with Son Yeung-chul together to go

to the Award Ceremony and Dinner in Flushing.

"I'll drive your car to the restaurant"

Mr. Cha said agan.

I felt very strong "Comradeship" when I heard his voice.

"I'll just go home to nurse my painful leg.

Three of you go to the restaurant and enjoy"

And I left the course with Wounded Body and Pride

- Disappointing my team - Jingolhoe.

Again, I played soundtrack of "Cinema Paradiso"

all the way home.

PS;

Thank you, Jingolhoe and our team

- Son Yeung-chul, Cha Ho-sung, and Kwon Young-hoon

- for giving me another chance to stand on the playground

- at this stage of my life. I will Remember!