Page 56 - The Golf Guide, Fall 2017

Shanks & 3–Putts

Following Dad’s Footsteps

Mike Ahrnsbrak — Golf Guide Senior Writer
PGA Professional, Lexington Golf & Country Club

Words cannot express the feeling a parent has
when their son or daughter does something
special. Watching Justin Thomas win the 99th
PGA Championship at Quail Hollow and his
dad Mike’s joyous reaction will be forever
etched in my heart.
I had the pleasure of attending this year’s PGA
Championship in North Carolina with my oldest
son Matt and his wife Meg. We spent Saturday watching some great golf on a
spectacular course; followed Rickie Fowler, Jordan Speith, and Jason Day; sat in
the shade enjoying frozen lemonade; and marveled at the best golfers in the world.
Golf fans of all ages attended, and the crowds were huge. As we were walking
up the 18th fairway, we followed Justin Thomas, and ran into his mom, who was
nervously watching her son finish his round, praying that he just get the ball in the
fairway. He striped it and made par to shoot 67. The rest is history.
Some of my fondest memories developed on the golf course. This makes sense since
I’ve spent most of my life either working at one or playing on one. Scientists say
you spend most of your time in your life sleeping. That does not apply to those of us
who work in the golf business. We spend most of our time at work, dreaming about
sleeping or playing golf, but once again, I digress.
My Dad introduced me to the game at an early age, and my first memory of being
on a course was “caddying” for my Dad and Uncle Arnold in Newport, Rhode
Island. I pulled the pull cart in the fog, up and down the hills, chasing the ball
all over. But I loved it, and something inside me clicked. It took awhile for me
to focus on golf, but after playing lots of sports (football, basketball, baseball),
I was hooked on golf. They say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. My son
Matt’s first job was as a cart attendant at Winchester Country Club, my youngest
son Brendan now works for Titleist, and although my stepson Stuart never really
got into golf, he did a stint as a standard bearer during a PGA Tour event at TPC
Avenel. He got to watch some good golf, burn a lot of calories, hear some choice
off-color words and watch a grown man snap a 6-iron after hitting a shot into the
water. That might why he took up disc golf instead!
I know for a fact that I wouldn’t be nearly the man I am today had my father not
introduced me to golf, a game he loved, and still loves to this day. At 85 years
young, he still plays once a week. So if you have the chance, make sure you share
your love of the game with your son, daughter, grandson, or granddaughter. You
can’t find a better sport to teach a young boy or girl. You can play this game for a
lifetime, and it teaches the lessons of honesty, integrity, determination, patience,
and that life isn’t always fair.
Trust me, they will Love you for it!
Fairways and Greens!!
P.S. Thanks Dad! I Love You!!

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