Reagan on the Back

There was a gloom in the air at Mudville CC that day;
The leaderboard was stacked with few holes left to play.
To the left of 15, buried deep in sand;
Mighty Reagan stood focused with lob wedge in hand.

He looked around and caught his mother’s eye;
Then nodded, refocused, and double-checked his lie.
The crowd fell silent as he drew his club back;
From a blast of sand, the ball began to track.

A gasp from the patrons could be heard far and near;
As Reagan’s ball hit the pin then suddenly disappeared.
“Way to go, son!” his dad screamed as he leapt off the ground;
Another birdie meant he was one back with three holes left in the round.

Sixteen was a dogleg right and the wind was gusting from the left;
Reagan would have to find the fairway or risk bogey at best.
He took a deep breath, pulled driver, and stood behind the ball;
Then gave the ball a mighty WHACK and watched a gentle draw.

It took one hop in the fairway, but rolled out into the rough;
Reagan sighed because he knew this next shot would be tough.
“Tough break!” cried his mom. “But I believe in you.”
“You can do it. There’s nothing you can’t do!”

Now Reagan wasn’t the only one playing that day;
After all, this was a regional qualifier for the AJGA.
Which brought out the best of the best from far and near;
One of the biggest tournaments Reagan would play in all year.

He’d prepared all year long and practiced as best he could;
He worked on his putting and his short game was rather good.
He hit balls into a net when the weather was poor;
And stayed out late at the range until his hands were very sore.

When he saw his ball in the rough, Reagan let out a sigh;
But focused on what he had to do with this unfortunate lie.
He took an extra club, gave a waggle, then once more;
Took a mighty chop, it was clean, and his ball began to soar.

Past the large oak tree and over the lake where fish swim;
It took two hops and rolled a bit, then settled 10 feet from the pin.
Another cheer from the crowd brought a smile to his face;
Sink this putt and par out and he’d be tied for first place!

Mikey Sanders was finished and his score was minus three;
And Brandon Pavol was minus one, but his tee shot found O.B.
Then there was Koen Joseph, who’d beaten Reagan once before;
He chipped in for birdie on eighteen to reach minus four.

Reagan sat at minus two and knew trouble lay ahead;
But if he was going to have a chance he’d have to get out of his head.
“One shot at a time,” he thought. Then lined up his stroke;
It started just outside the hole, then at the end, it broke.

Right into the cup. Another bird! Reagan pumped his fist;
Had it not had the perfect pace it surely would have missed.
“On to seventeen,” he thought. “I can do it, I just know it!”
But when his tee ball left his club the wind began to blow it.

Just to the left. A breeze caused his ball to miss the green;
Now he’d have to chip it in or make birdie on eighteen.
His chip was good, but he left it short and tapped in for his par;
He got his ball, then suddenly saw Koen from afar.

“He wants me to choke,” he thought. He only wants to win;
I have to play my very best or he’ll beat me once again.
The final hole was no gimmie and the wind continued to blow.
“One last good drive,” he thought, and then he let it go.

His tee shot soared down the middle into the narrow fairway;
His next shot was even better and ended up eight feet away.
In order to tie Koen, Reagan would have to make this putt;
Once again he took a look then promptly lined it up.

The ball rolled with steady speed as the crowd held its breath;
But right before the putt fell in it trickled to the left.
Reagan hung his head and tears filled up his eyes;
But what happened after that was a miraculous surprise.

Koen came from the crowd and gave Reagan a great big hug;
“You played really great out there today,” he said with a little shrug.
“I’ve lost many matches too. And I know your time will come;”
“Thanks,” Reagan said. “But I did have lots of fun.”

They held each other’s hand and raised them in the air;
The crowd clapped and cheered for each outstanding player.
Reagan may have lost the match, but he learned a thing or two;
About sportsmanship, hard work, and seeing things through.

Reagan’s parents cheered and cheered and hugged their little star;
“You shot your best score ever, Reags; three under par!”
“You did your very best and I’m sure we’ll see Koen again.”
“And when that day comes you’ll be ready.”
“I will,” thought Reagan…

The end.