On Reagan’s Golfing Debut

Reags,

I’m not sure if we’re ready to add a 3rd competitor to The Rauchdy Match, but last night you played in your first official golf match — it was part of the PGA Jr. league that Kinsale puts on and it features other kids from the club. The match was at Scioto Reserve and you started on the back 9.

How it works is that you have three kids on your team and only two of them play at a time. The format is a scramble where each person on the team hits a shot, then you choose the best shot between you and both play from that spot (wherever the ball ends up). You repeat this for each shot until all nine holes are played.

With the three man teams, each person plays 2/3 of three hole stretches. For example, Reagan, you played the first three holes and the last three holes. One of your partners played the first six holes, and the other partner played the last six holes. Each kid plays six holes total and the goal is to win your three hole match. Nine holes, three unique three hole scramble matches — whoever wins at least two of the three matches has their team win.

So, you were feeling a little nervous when we got there. Mom and Koen went in to get snacks while you and I went over to the range where you started hitting some shots. Immediately you were thrown off by the gnats, and I had to pull you aside to show you how every other kid was dealing with the same thing you were, but none of them were getting quite as upset. By the time we made our way to the tee box in the fairway of the tenth hole, things were spirling and your mom and I were nervous about how the match was going to go. I could tell you were also nervous by the way you ate a KitKat bar, then left chocolate stains on the back of your hat where you immediately began to chew. I think it’s the first time anyone in golf has ever chewed on their hat before they’ve even teed off — still waiting on a reply from Guinness to see if that is some sort of record.

Your tee time was 4:20, but because of X, Y, or Z, you got moved to the 4:30 tee time. On your team were two soon-to-be sixth graders who ended up being super-nice and super-sweet to you, but you were a little intimidated to start. Their names were Aarav and Gavin. The other team you were playing had someone else who looked about your age, but maybe a year or two older, and two other “kids” who were taller than I am and one who could probably drive the ball 200+ yards. All that to say, for your first match, it wasn’t an easy go.

Now if anyone asks you, you’d tell them you’re a great chipper. I think you’d also tell them your weakness is the driver, so when it came to put the peg in the ground and get the match started, we decided to tee off with your 7i. Aarav hit a good shot, but it looked like it might have been out of bounds, so your tee shot was really important. You ended up hitting it down the right side of the fairway — about 75 yards. I think you calmed down a bit after that.

Both teams made par on the first hole, and despite a look at bogey on the second, both teams maxed out the hole with double bogey (after double bogey, everyone has to pick up to keep the game moving — more on that in a bit).

Now you and Aarav step up to the par 4 twelfth, your third hole and the final hole in the first of three mini matches. Aarav hits a great drive, and you also hit a great drive in the fairway, just not as far as his so you decide to use his ball. One of the kids you were playing against, I don’t remember his name, was last to hit. As he started his downswing, he let out a big fart and it got everyone, including Alex the pro who was overseeing the match, to laugh. I made a “little extra power in that one” joke and everyone seemed to enjoy that — dad jokes and elementary school kids go together like PB + J.

Anyway, your team hit a great second shot onto the green, and after you hit your putt a little short, Aarav hit a great lag putt to a foot or two and was able to tap in the par for the team win on holes 1-3.

Team vibes were strong. By now, you’d fallen into the rhythm of telling your teammates “nice shot” and “good hit” after every shot. You’d also talk through the putts with your teammates, Gavin was on the greens with you guys helping with the reads. Every now and then you’d take a full seat on the greens and look like your mind was elsewhere, but eventually you’d snap back and kept, for the most part, in the game.

The vibes were not strong, however, in the golf cart. We took our cart to SR with mom and Koen, and it was about this time that Koen’s iPad died. We’d probably been out there for about an hour, which for three holes of golf, is not very bueno. But we needed food and it was your turn to sit out three holes. Mom and Koen went back to get us food and you and I walked along with your team as I was trying to keep you focused on what your teammates were doing and how they acted before, during, and after they played their turns.

Mom got back with burgers, fries, and full bottles of ketchup and mustard (which we meant to return but ended up making their way home with us). With some calories back in you and good play from Gavin and Aarav, your team won the next stretch of holes and it was again your turn to play.

So, the seventh hole of the match, number 16 at Scioto Reserve, is not an easy par 3 and it requires a shot over some water before you can reach the green. As previously mentioned, you and Gavin are now teammates and you’re playing Toots from the 12th, and the other big kid who might have shaved before he came out to the match. Your drive wasn’t great but it didn’t go in the water. Gavin hit a great shot that rolled through the green and settled about 15 feet from the hole in the rough. Toots pulled his shot left and Gigantor hit a nice shot, probably a gap wedge, behind the hole and bit farther away than you and Gavin’s shot was. Advantage good guys.

Since they were further away, they went first and hit a good chip to about 12 feet. Gavin went first for your team, and hit the ball on the green, but pretty far away from the hole. Then, you get up and chip it to maybe six feet — your best shot of the day and a really important one on the first hole of your last match! Jacob, Julie, and Savannah (having finished her match WAYYYYY before you did, were there to watch and I’m sure they were all very impressed).

The last two holes ended up going to the other team, which was fine since you’d already won your match. I spent most of the day walking along with you while mom and Koen drove in the cart and followed the action. Aarav’s dad walked along too, but you made me happy when you proudly told your teammates that your dad was your caddy. After seeing how shy and nervous you were to start, and now seeing you taking the lead on some of the conversation with two soon-to-be sixth graders, I was really really happy and proud of you. Your team won and even though we used most of your teammates shots, you definitely contributed and got along well with everyone in the group.

So the good news is that we have something to build on and that you also enjoy the game of golf. I think you still believe that your first hole in one is going to happen anytime there is a par 3, but so do I so I can’t really blame you there since I don’t have one either and maybe you’ll get your first before I get mom (we know, we know, but it will have been AFTER your mom got hers).

Anyway, I’m proud of you and the only hope I have for your next match is that you have as much fun as you did on your first one (oh, and maybe if we could get the round finished in less than 3.5 hours!).

Proud as ever.

Love,

Dad