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Shanks & 3–Putts

Love

Mike Ahrnsbrak — Golf Guide Senior Writer
PGA Professional, Blue Ridge Shadows Golf Club
Our 10-year old border collie, Chief, passed away
recently from complications of diabetes. He was
the ultimate friend – loyal, fun, and always there
with a wag of the tail, a nudge under the arm, or a
lick on the nose. Obviously, we were devastated by
his passing. As I reflected on all the good times we
had and how much a part of the family Chief was, it
brought back many wonderful memories. Chief was
there for high school and college graduations, proms
and homecomings, and soccer and baseball games.
He survived two cats, several frogs, other reptiles,
and insects and was witness to and a part of life
situations that befall most families who are raising children.
We loved that dog…
So you’re probably wondering what this article has to do with golf. Well, you see I
Love Golf! Golf has been part of my “family” for so long that it has become part
of my DNA. People tell me that my bald head probably stimps at 13, similar to
the speed of the greens at the Masters. The hair follicles on my arms are a hybrid
bentgrass, and my pillow is filled with goose feathers removed from old gutta
percha golf balls.
Even after playing golf for over 50 years, I have never tired of the game. To be
sure, I might get fatigued when it’s hot because I’m older, don’t play nearly as
much golf as I should, and spend way too much time with my butt in a chair, ear
glued to the phone, and eyes starting at a computer screen. My love for golf is not
like the love I have for my wife, my kids, and Chief, but it’s a different, groovy kind
of love (The Mindbenders got one). My Dad introduced me to the game at an early
age. I remember caddying (pulling the pull cart) for my Dad on a foggy, cool, misty
morning. Something about the game just connected. I played other sports growing
up. I first loved baseball, and I played basketball and football, but something about
golf drew me in like a moth to the flame. My love for golf continued to grow, and I
have been blessed to work my entire career doing something I love.
Certain events trigger the brain and give us a feeling of peace, contentment, joy,
and love. The smell of freshly mown grass, the sound of birds welcoming a new day,

the sight of golf ball dew tracks on the green,
and the feel of a well struck shot recall just a few
of those, just like the sound of a barking friend
who’s just happy to see you or the sight of a tail
wagging so hard it looks like it might break in
half.
So the moral to this story tells us to love life and
especially those in your life. And if they play golf,
so much the better!

54 GOLFGUIDEINC.COM