I recently got back to NC from a speaking engagement at Springfield Country Club’s Ladies’ Member-Guest in Springfield, VA.  What a great event—their theme was “Tea (Tee) Time” with a continual play on words throughout the day.  The committee and all the ladies there did a fantastic job and everyone had a great time, although there were the usual comments after the round about “how awful I played!”

It occurred to me while driving back to NC that some of the things I shared with them may need repeating to all of us who play this game; namely that it is a game, for one thing.  And, that the main reasons we play it often are not totally related to the score or the competition.  Yes, I know many times that outcome is extremely important.  But just a reminder, don’t forget the other reasons we play, especially when we go to an event like a member-guest.  We go to spend time and have some laughs with our friends who we invite, or who invited us.  We go to experience the “event,” complete with its themes, sometimes our outlandish outfits, and all the good food, drink and friendship that accompanies a member-guest.

Please never allow yourself to beg off an invitation or to refrain from being part of your own group’s invitational because of your game, or how you’re playing.  One of my favorite true stories involves a student who came for a lesson before going to a friend’s member-guest.  She came back some time after the event and I asked her how it went.  She said she’d still been playing below her usual game when the day came around so on the first tee she told her hostess she didn’t know how she’d play that day.  Her hostess replied, “Oh don’t worry about it; if I’d wanted to win I wouldn’t have invited you.”  We both laughed at the comment and then my student said, “I’m not sure if that was meant to make me feel better or not!”  I assured her that it was among the greatest of compliments—her friend wanted to play golf with her more than she wanted to win! 

Remember that the next time you are thinking about teeing it up at a special event.  Invite your friend(s) or accept that invitation and go have fun!  After all, it is called playing golf!