So it has been awhile, so time for a couple of quick updates.
As I mentioned earlier this year I was thinking about playing some tournament golf again. I attempted to get into a Seniors event in my area, but to be honest the locations were too far to drive. I have not supported the events in about 15 years so I probably would not have gotten in anyway. I think there is a September event so I might give that a shot, if the drive time is right. That’s my story right now.
Moving on, I once again tried to play in my Club’s Senior Club Championship, but because of my membership category I was denied. I met all the criteria on the entry form but still could not enter. Encountered the same issue last year which tells me the past and current Club Captain could not be bothered to change the wording. My membership category requires at least 35 years being a member. Quick math will give about $125,00.00 in fees collected by the Club during this time. I guess they were concerned that a 70 year old was going to beat a 55 year old. Maybe concerned with the optics? Who knows? However, I was informed that I could represent the Club in some Inter-club matches . So, I can not play in the Club Championship but you want me to represent the Club in an outside competitive tournament? Not going to happen! I have more character than that.
There are many scorecards in life and in golf. My golf scorecard really doesn’t focus on score. My scorecard involves striking the ball purely, controlling shape and trajectory. If I make a few putts along the way then good for me. These are intrinsic accomplishments. They come from a place of moral character , moral character comes from inside of you. The extrinsic scorecard like winning championships, tournaments, and competing on Club teams are great in the short term, but after a while no one remembers and you are persona non grata to most of the membership. We are invisible to the majority. The majority think they are the smartest person in the room and we all know the answer to that statement. I try to be the best listener in the room and try to ask the best questions. Some days I do a better job than others. The friends I play golf with have over 100 years of business experience and 200 years of life experience. I try to learn one thing from them every round. Thanks guys!
My Club is caught in an achievement trap and it is plaguing the growth of the club. At the heart of it is character, and the link it provides to extrinsic achievement. We think that if we have the best food, the best bunkers, and the best greens we will be the best Club. Nothing could be further from the truth. Extrinsic character comes and goes and is usually costly. We have missed so many opportunities to build specific character strengths that live in the very heart of why our Club exists. Personally I am dissatisfied , feel very empty on a number of days ,which leads to feeling invisible and with that frustration occurs. The energy that many members have invested over the years seems to go unnoticed. This blind pursuit for extrinsic achievement has actually made our Club under perform, even if on the surface if it appears successful. It has left us empty. A 1.5 million dollar bunker renovation program that has cost us more money because the powers to be did not have the foresight to really examine the entire project. They did not see how it would impact our operating budget. Our aging members. They got caught up in the extrinsic stuff. How good it would make the course look and we would be the only Club in the area with this bunker system putting our rival Club to shame.
We are Our guilty of chasing achievement. We define ourselves by the money our membership has and the expensive cars in the parking lot. The Executive Committee has linked themselves to these external markers. We are in this excessive chase for the next great thing. From bunkers to a new clubhouse and hosting tournaments we have no business hosting because it makes us look good. It just doesn’t end. We have become addicted to achievement and the result is frustration and disillusionment.
Thanks for reading.
Until next time.
ELBOWS UP CANADA
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