MasterClass on Hope and a Hole-in-One

My friend, Missy received a year-long subscription to MasterClass as a gift from her neighbor. What a wonderful, ingenious present. Launched in May 2015, MasterClass is an online learning platform that streams lessons delivered by recognized masters of their craft. It is proud of profess "Our instructors are the best in the world." Check out the list of teachers; MasterClass tells the truth. 

Missy told me about George W. Bush's class on "Authentic Leadership." A long time fan of 43, I leaned in and watched the trailer. I laughed so hard and was so impressed by W's affect, I signed up for the 30-day trial.  I was genuinely interested to hear what he would have to say about making tough decisions, building a team, public service, personal diplomacy and his latest passion: art. I had no idea that President Bush's MasterClass would relate to golf and the feat of a faithful friend. I'm glad it did. Here is the story.

I don't have an official leadership or title at work. For example, I'm not a school administrator nor do I have any aspirations to work as an athletic director. Heck, I'm not even sure I will work as a head coach again. This might explain why my mom asked me why I enrolled in this particular class. I told her that I think we all benefit from learning more about leadership. I figured the other topics could speak to me and be of some benefit. It was...it is. 

I loved hearing W's insights on leading the country and a company—the Texas Rangers. As much as I kept thinking of how the course connects to different aspects of my own life, I couldn't help but think of my friend Malia and how these topics would be of interest to her. Why? In January 2024, Malia was named president of the Olympic Club—a private athletic and social club in San Francisco, CA. She is the third female president in the club's 164 years of history.

In my 10+ years as a member, I have served on three different club committees. I appreciate learning from and witnessing multiple styles of leadership among the committee members and chairs who seek to make the club even better. Full disclosure, Malia happens to be a good friend, and one of the reasons our for our friendship is not only golf but our shared interest in club governance. In committee roles, I have been privy to Malia's due diligence toward all matters that pertain to the club. She works tirelessly toward clear and consistent communication between staff and members. She is gracious and respectful, smart and visionary. She will remember your name and your story. She smiles and says hello. She is a lot of fun. In short the club is in very good hands. 

As written in The Olympian Magazine, Malia said she grew up in an athletic family. She added, "I'm the weakest player of the group. So everyone wants to partner with me because of my strokes." All joking aside, like her parents, Malia has hit a hole-in-one. That is until Sunday February 25, 2024 when she hit her second ace. 

Standing in the tee box on the seventh hole of the Ocean course, she didn't think she hit her ball right. Regardless, we followed the path of the ball. I saw it bounce on the right side of the fairway just short of the green. It started rolling and didn't stop until it found a home in the cup. One of the women in our foursome said "I think it went it." The other woman agreed. We told Malia to use her rangefinder to look on the green for the ball. It was nowhere in plain sight. Ever one to play the odds, I said "Malia, both Brook and Bonnie are pretty sure it went in. I think if  the two of them saw the same thing, we must have something there." She laughed. She smiled and kept (relatively) quiet until we could confirm what we just saw. As we approached the green, we all knew what happened. We were able to capture on video her victory path toward the hole. She reached in and there it was: a hole-in-one. 

I can't tell you what that must feel like as I keep wishing on my birthday for my first one. However, to witness one is exciting enough. #Adrenaline city. And when something this exciting—surprising, joyful and unexpected as a hole-in-one happens to a person, it's just not the event that makes the impression, it's everything else about it, too.

Malia's first concern was to follow the due process that this was a certifiable hole in one. Because Hole 7 is under repair, all tees have been moved to one singular tee box. Ever mindful of protocol, Malia reached out to the head pro who worked with another staff member to get the green light. She did. And for anyone who asks, yes, she hit a hole-in-one from the championship tees. 

After the round, during which Malia hit for the cycle—eagle, birdie and par, our group accompanied her to the pro shop where she thanked the staff members for their help. They handed over an OC pennant, commemorating the feat. We then went to the Champions Bar where she greeted folks with an introduction and the big news."Enjoy a beverage of your choice, on me" she said. To see the reactions of other club members—the smiles, the fist bumps, high fives and hugs was what made the ace that much more special. What hole? What club did you use? It was awesome to see the unsuspecting people around us meet Malia under the most auspicious of circumstances ;-) 

I had to leave the spirited gathering to celebrate my sister Sarah's birthday. After our dinner, I asked Sarah—an artist and painter— if she would be interested in watching the final chapter of George Bush's MasterClass, entitled "Happy are the Painters" with me. I read the description 

Join President Bush in his personal studio in Maine. The former president concludes his class by sharing why he decided to start painting and how he views learning as a lifelong pursuit.

This session focused on not only why he started but why he continues to paint. In addition to his love of learning, Bush used the words of another world leader who took up painting after his time in office to explain why it's his passion today. Churchill said

Happy are the painters, for they shall not be lonely. Light and colour, peace and hope, will keep them company to the end of the day.

Though these words appeared on the screen beside the artistic work of Churchill, I couldn't help but connect his sentiment to what occurred on the golf course earlier that day. I thought back to Malia's hole in one. With 20/20 vision, my mind's eye sees  her standing in the tee box, her stroke, the arc of the ball mid-flight and the result of her effort. 

We golfers are the painters of sport. Each round is characterized by its own number of strokes. The golf club is our brush. We can only play in the light. Indeed, the game is an exercise in hope. It never leaves me lonely.

During the round, one can feel inner turmoil. Many strokes are toiled and exacting. But there's always some part of the experience that offers an inner peace—the beauty of the course, exposure to the elements and the changing of seasons that time with the game affords. When the strokes are smooth—light and easy, fluid and fun the painters, I mean golfers are very happy.

How lucky are we to keep company with friends to the end of the day? Friends we may have met through this artistic medium that we celebrate and honor in many ways. But for whom on Sunday, February 25 we did for a singular brush stroke, a hole in one. 

Congratulations, Malia or as many people call you—Madame President. Time for us to figure out what is your presidential number....

Photo Credits
The Olympian

Memory, Time and Perfection: Thank you, Matt Cain

While I am aware the modern understanding of time is based on Einstein's theory of relativity, can someone help me get a grasp on how memory works? 

I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday or how I spent last week and yet there are events that occurred five or fifteen years ago that are frozen in time. The perfect game thrown by San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain 10 years from today is one of them.

I imagine legions of baseball fans have miraculous plays and specific games etched in their mind's eye. No doubt a perfect game—a game in which the pitcher completes a minimum of nine innings without a batter from the opposing team reaching any base—ought to qualify for memory lock. It was the first and only perfect game in San Francisco (and New York) Giants history. Thank you, Matty!

For Bay Area residents, June 13, 2012 was just one event in a week that made us feel as though any search for center of the universe would show the Bay. For one, the 112th US Open took place at the Olympic Club on the west side of the city. On June 12, the Giants celebrated Irish Night at the yard by welcoming Rory McIlroy to throw the first pitch. One day later, Dustin Johnson, one of the top golfers in the world joined Matt Cain behind home plate to tee it up. AT&T Park became a driving range with a dramatic target— the McCovey Cove waterway up and over the right field bleachers. Cain admitted this pregame warm-up was one reason he was so relaxed that evening. Note to coaches and managers....

I remember all of it. In high def, in 3-D, in living color. Go Giants!

June can be warm and free of the fog that characterizes the coldest winter Mark Twain event spent. On this night the temperatures were warm and the skies were almost heavy. I can still see and feel it. How is that possible?

I remember a certain buzz started percolating in the sixth inning around the status of this game; the no hit watch was on. At first, the conversation was purely speculation. I thought, there's a lot of baseball left! My friend Heather texted me to tell me her husband was at the game. I was so excited for the Giants and for him!

As Cain continued to put three up and three down, nerves, jitters, excitement and joy reached a boiling point. Gregor Blanco's spectacular diving catch in the seventh inning not only preserved the perfect game, it sent emotions and amazement over the top. After the game Matt Cain asked the right fielder "What can I give you as a thank you gift? A Rolex? Down payment on a house?" Love it.

This once in a lifetime feat, in the midst of one of my favorite sporting events of the year prompted magical conversations on this day—the day after the perfect game: June 14, 10 yeas ago!

Last week I attended my college twenty-fifth plus one year reunion at Notre Dame. It was such a gift to have time with my classmates to reconnect, recall stories and share stories. The biggest surprise wasn't how people look or what became of so and so, it was what I could remember and what I couldn't. I pride myself on having a good memory and I could hardly believe some of the details about classes and teachers, dorm life and people my friends and I discussed. This was both humbling and inspiring. Memory is not a given. Hold on to what you can!

The poet Virgil wrote, “No Day Shall Erase You From the Memory of Time.” Time may or may not fade our memories. The passage of time can deepen out appreciation for what we have been given. And yet, his words, from Book IX of "The Aeneid" suggest the transformative potential of remembrance. So let us exercise our memory and celebrate the milestones—whether it be a perfect game, 25 year reunion or the first month of sobriety for in them lies the potential for transformation, gratitude, inspiration and joy.

Thank you, Matt Cain. Thank you, Gregor Blanco. Thank you DJ and all those who played some part in perfection 10 years ago!

Photo Credits
10 years
Perfect

Lessons from The Good Life and the 2021 US Women's Open

In her philosophy class, What Makes a Life Good?, Dr. Meghan Sullivan contends "there are some things in life that we just can’t outsource to other people." In other words, only you should offer an apology to someone you have hurt, you must be the one to go on the awkward first date with someone you are interested in dating. and, the only person to speak to a therapist about their own problems....is you. Sullivan offers these examples because she also believes that determining what makes a life good—the essential question of the course— is something you have to do for yourself. I asked my students what they thought. When I found little to no disagreement, I then asked "What else ought you do for yourself?" Someone replied "write a thank you note." "Interesting," I said. "And is a thank you note essential for living a good life?" My student responded, "maybe not the note itself, but expressing gratitude in an intentional or formal way is." I agree.

The champion, Yuka Saso tees off on the iconic 18th hole of the Lake Course

I recall this snapshot of my Moral Issues class because I find myself in need of expressing gratitude. And, I don't know to whom I should address my note—but I am thankful to have been a part of the 76th United States Women's Open that took place from June 3-6, 2021 on the Lake Course at the Olympic Club. It was the sixth time the club has hosted a US Open Championship and the first time it has welcomed the women's tourney. I will carry memories from this entire week with me for a lifetime.

When asked to work as the co-chair for junior volunteers in September 2019, the plan was to target young people, especially female golfers—to work "inside the ropes" next to the best women in the world. Like so much of life since March 2020, the USGA worked overtime to pivot and find a way to keep young people involved. I'm glad they did--both for my sake and for those young members who were able to contribute to the success of the event! 

Thank you to my co-chair Marissa and to the crew of young Olympians who showed up Monday through Sunday. They sorted through thousands of range balls, separating between Titlelist Pro VI, Titlelist Pro VX and Callaway and bagged them into a highly coveted* US Open 2021 red bags. They placed the sign placards behind each player on the range so the crowd would know who was warming up, shagged balls on the 18th green practice area and made it all work. 

There were so many highlights from the week, but one in particular was having my team—Saint Francis girls' golf in attendance on Thursday, Day 1 of the Open. These young women really know the game as both players and as fans. They were in awe of seeing the players up close and personal. They analyzed their swings, their putting, their bags and their outfits ;-) At one point, the commentary between two of my players was so good, I suggested that they get into the announcer's booth. Should I warn Kay Cockerill or Morgan Pressell now? My team was  slightly star struck, when they realized we were sitting next to several members of the Stanford women's golf team. They thanked Cal Coach, Nancy McDaniel for her Confidence Drill and they were able to take photos with several players. Go Lancers!

Two of my players with Emma Talley

My team wasn't the only enthusiastic bunch on the property. It was great to see so many fans of all ages—both men and women, teens and kids excited about the women's game. The tourney offered several great story lines with the return of past champions: the Pink Panther—Paula Creamer and new mom, Michelle Wie-West. One of the amateurs—Megha Ganne who has yet to complete her junior year of high school (and is already committed to Stanford) made her way into the final pairing. She is poised and gracious, spirited and spunky. I love that she beckoned the crowd to roar for more (after making a putt for bogey....awesome) and that she conceded that although she was a crowd favorite, her caddy--a long time member might be the bigger draw. Unfortunately, Lexi Thompson—who was once the youngest golfer to play in the USWO at the age of 12—lost the lead and finished in third. The Lake Course has long been known as the "graveyard of champions." Thompson proved it to be no misnomer. Though part of the story of the 2021 USWO, none of that should take away the accomplishment or the congratulations due to Yuka Saso of Manila, Philippines. Saso captured the championship in a sudden death play off and defeated Nasa Hataoka of Japan.

I kept thinking of the word "hospitality" all week long. To host an event takes incredible preparation, time, energy and sacrifice. Due to COVID, it was unclear whether or not fans would even be allowed in attendance and the volunteer pool was limited to just members. Fortunately, the tourney welcomed limited fans and it all worked because folks worked long shifts many of which required either setting and alarm clock and/or going to bed past one's bed time. We all bared the summer in San Francisco (brutal!) and walked away with fog burn, wind burn, new friends and a deepened appreciation for the club and the game of golf.

As I was talking to two of my players, I realized the man standing near us was none other than Mike Wahn, the longtime commissioner of the LPGA and soon to be CEO of the USGA. I smiled at him, introduced myself and said "I teach about you in my class." I told him about the power of the thank you note—how much I appreciated that he encouraged the LPGA players to write them to sponsors and in turn how this helped to grow the game. He was holding a folder and said "I have a few of them in here." "Caught in the act," I said. That is also something only you can do for yourself. 

What makes a life good? The 2021 USWO reminds me of the answers: friends, service, hard work, inspiration, athletics—golf, teamwork and....gratitude.

Photo Credits
@USWomen'sOpen Olympic Club Instagram

Attitude is Everything: Finding Humor in All Things

I had two resolutions for 2015: pay (better) attention and laugh more often. My sense was that one could lead to the other. I'm happy to report that my resolution proved to be true. Funny things happen all the time, and quite often we are the source of it. Human nature is worth observing—we are wacky, intense, and at times totally nuts. We are also loving, kind, generous and spirited. No wonder my aunt loves to people watch. We all simply need to notice what's going on around us. 

And that's exactly what a group known as Dude Perfect has done. As written on Wikipedia, this

"sports entertainment group who got their start on YouTube. Most known for their trick shots, they are also involved in comedy with their "Stereotypes" series, in which they poke fun at common stereotypes, mostly in the sports world."

For me, their "golf stereotypes" video was the source of laughter that bordered on tears that got 2015 off to a great start. My recent favorite is gym stereotypes. If you are invested in any of the endeavors they stereotype, you can't help but laugh because they have found truth in the human race.

My gym is no exception. I know when I hit the sixth floor the Olympic Club in downtown San Francisco for a one-hour workout, I will have 15 minutes of chatter, banter, trash talk, teasing and questions. I encounter 80% of the stereotypes Dude Perfect portrays. One that they might want to add—or at least modify—is "Mr. attitude really is everything and mine is one that must change." Here's why...

Earlier this week a friend and I were lifting together, standing in a space that was blocking no one. It was crowded. I know the time of day and the incessant rain outside contributed to that, but so does the time of year. What gym isn't crowded in the month of January?

In the middle of my set, I was nearly run down by a man who stormed out of the basketball gym and through the weight room. He looked around in total disgust and said "I don't know where all these people are the rest of the year!" As he stormed to the water cooler on the other side of the gym, all were left to pick up the scent of his alpha male spray.

We heard him alright. I had to laugh at how strongly this member sought to claim his territorial rights. Less than five minutes later, two men engaged in lifting at two adjacent machines said for others to hear, "you can always tell when it's a new year, can't you?!"

My friend looked at me and said "I read something about this recently. We've got it all wrong. What we should be saying is: It's great to see you here or glad the new year has brought you back. Instead we make people feel like they don't belong or make them feel very unwelcome" I looked at her with eyes wide open. She's right—you working out at the gym or not, doesn't make me any more or less fit or strong. My athletic goals for 2016 are not contingent upon whether or not you show up at the gym. 

Furthermore, rather than feeling threatened or annoyed by people who are seeking to make a change, we should be a community that encourages one another. That costs nothing.

Realistically speaking, it may be to everyone's benefit to change our mindset. We win as a society when public health sores, as opposes to declines. The fewer people dependent on the system and remaining healthy, means the more productive and successful we can all be!

So notice those around you. Encourage them and make them feel welcome. Make them laugh or find humor in them. And live the words of Coach Lou Holtz “Your talent determines what you can do. Your motivation determines how much you are willing to do. Your attitude determines how well you do it.”

Photo Credit
Apple a Day!
Gym 

The Truth about the movie "Concussion."

"The truth doesn't have a side." —Dr. Bennet Omalu

I wish I had the words of Dr. Omalu in my arsenal for when I taught the Foundations of Ethics: Morality and Justice. Though I am not teaching Ethics for the first time in 12 years, the importance of truth and its very nature underscores every course an educator must teach. We seek to bring it to students. It is also what this medical doctor—a pathologist turned coroner born in Nigeria sought to bring to the NFL. And his revelation of truth is the subject of the new movie "Concussion."

To be honest, I was skeptical of how Hollywood might portray the story. To a large degree, I was familiar with the story of Concussion because in the summer of 2014, I read the book "League of Denial: The NFL, Concussion and the Battle for Truth." I read it because the authors—Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fainaru, who are also investigative reporters and brothers spoke at a lunch at the Olympic Club downtown. I'm not sure I would have finished it otherwise. It was tremendously technical, both scientifically and politically. It's far from a "feel good" story, but I knew it was an important one. Teaching Ethics, I also know we don't call it the "ugly truth" for nothing. 

As written in "Will Smith shines a light on the dark side of the sport he loves," the cover story for the December 20, 2015 issue of Sports Illustrated, 

A desire to disseminate the truth usually ranks far down the list of Hollywood's motivations. It's also worth adding that almost all of the major studios have lucrative NFL connections.

Fortunately, I found myself checking the boxes as I watched the 2 hour film. Indeed, I would have passed the reading check quiz on "League of Denial" by watching Will Smith's latest film.

Screenwriter and director Peter Landesman would expect nothing less. He said, "this movie, like all movies based on nonfiction stories—if we're smart and if we care—goes through a strong vetting process to be sure we tell the best, most truthful, most impactful version of the story." This story, was based on an article written by Jeanne Marie Laskas for GQ magazine, in 2009. See below.

Watching Concussion and then reading the SI piece by Ben Reiter confirmed what I left the movie theater believing to be true. The death by suicide of former Chicago Bears Dave Duerson was the watershed moment—the linchpin—whereby the National Football League had to confront a problem that wasn't going away. The League could no longer be one of denial. I wrote about him in a blog tribute in February 2011: A Loss in the (Notre Dame) Family. It was shared on Notre Dame magazine's website. Although a tragic story, I believe it is one of the more important postings I have written. I carried those thoughts with me to the movie screen as I watched Duerson's own struggle lead to his demise.

Anyone who chooses to watch Concussion will leave with more questions than answers. Playing golf today, a friend asked if high school football will be around in 30 years. I did not hesitate to answer "yes." He retorted with "how many kids died from playing football last year." He told me the number is seven or eight. The only thing I could say in response is "how many boys are alive because of football." 

I know a significant number of parents who are very passionate about their sons not playing football; I do believe it is a personal and important decision. My only hope is that they are as passionate about their views on the usage of drugs and alcohol for their teens. I mean that.

Ben Reiter writes, the NFL hopes that "the movie offers an opportunity to publicly talk about player health and safety and what the league's doing to pursue the goals that we've set, then we welcome the conversation." It does and it should. I guess I'm used to organizations with money and power covering things up. In this case, the NFL should reclaim the words that emblazon their glass doors on their Park Avenue office in New York City. The league promotes: RESPECT—INTEGRITY—RESPONSIBILITY TO TEAM—RESILIENCY. Those ideals must fuel a commitment to learn more, be transparent, acknowledge the danger and ameliorate the risk.

I think every person who is hungry for the truth ought to find it. Some good sources on this particular subject include:

• Bennet Omalu, Concussion, and the NFL: How One Doctor Changed Football Forever   by Jeanne Marie Laskas, featured in GQ Magazine in 2009 
• League of Denial by Mark Fainaru-Wada and Steve Fairaru
• Frontline Special: League of Denial

You may wonder why we care. Why do we spend so much of our time, money and energy on a game like football? Why are we so passionate about our home teams and make heroes out of its players? Because as the movie says "It's a mindless, violent game. And then it's Shakespeare."

I paused when I heard those words. We often do when we hear and realize the truth. And remember—it doesn't have a side.

Photo Credits
Dr Omalou
League of Denial
NFL
Will Smith