Agreed, the bonds seem quite strong this year, it does truly feel different and that the MC reached it's apex for sure.
I found a meeting room with no windows sat down and hit record. No intentions of go over 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or even 40 minutes. Much like Seth though, it happens. I promise every recap I post after this will be something funny I remember from the weekend. :act-up:
So sit down, grab a bottle of something....because you'll probably be able to get through it all and enjoy!
Edit: HAWK!!! I'm really sorry about 10-15 minutes in. It's nothing bad. I just gave you the wrong first name...
I decided that since paladin is making me read all these recaps so that we have something to discuss later, I will write my own. My hope is that some of you may read it to your wives and they may get a glimpse into what I saw. And, after all that I had to put up with, I am declaring myself an honorary member of Team Hackers.
This journey for me began at Thanksgiving. Unbeknownst to me, and honestly I’m embarrassed to even mention this, paladin and his sriracha journey had begun this process. Steven came to me while we were visiting family in California for Thanksgiving with the phrase no military wife ever wants to hear, “I have something to tell you.” Luckily, it did not involve a move or a deployment. It went something like this, “I got selected for this golf thing. It’ll cost $500 in South Carolina in July.” Clearly, I would need more info, but we went with it for the remainder of that vacation.
Turns out, of course, it cost a lot more than $500.
After determining the date, I gave up my plans to run a half-marathon in Chicago with my sister on that same weekend. We went back and forth about making it a family vacation or not. Eventually deciding we would just send him. My mother and I (because she is clearly where I get my awesome from) each got Steven lessons for his birthday and Christmas. I still didn’t quite understand how golf was about to take over our lives.
I started coordinating with Morgan via paypal to make the payments. I would constantly find THP up on the computer and more than once scrolled through whatever post was up. One day Steven was mentioning how bummed he was that I wasn’t going with him. So then I thought I’d make it a surprise. This was January probably. My ‘surprise’ lasted maybe two weeks. Within that time I had talked to Mike Dean and Freddie about lodging, etc. They were both really kind and helpful.
Golf slowly started becoming more prevalent in our lives. We were now budgeting for it and compromising on how many Saturdays he could spend at the course. When Steven took his first night shift, I was actually glad. He was able to golf frequently without taking away from family time. Call me crazy, but I like to spend time as a family and I don’t ever want to take it forgranted that we’ll have tons of time to do so. In fact, Steven even convinced me to go for a twilight membership at the local country club. He was quite convincing, and it was fiscally a good deal.
Then I switched jobs and school let out for the summer and things were tight. Money was tight, time was tight. My patience for golf was gone. I didn’t want to hear about it, I didn’t want to see THP up in the back ground and that darned groupme app was quickly driving me crazy. I tried to understand, really, but I just couldn’t. The final straw was another 5 weeks of night shift. Quite possible the worst five weeks in our marriage. (And we’ve been through quite a few deployments.) Golf was clearly the first priority, and I did not like it.
Once Steven went on leave, life was so much more relaxed. We were going on vacation. Luckily the golf bag was checked free of charge and the clubs made it from Tucson to Richmond safe and sound. (Did I mention I had bought him ‘The Stick’? Yes, I am awesome.) Steven played a practice round and then we headed down to Myrtle Beach. I’ll admit, I was a little nervous. He’d been talking to these guys for months. I knew there wouldn’t be many wives there. I had even read a thread, legitimately after joining THP, about why you shouldn’t bring your wife. I had plans of waving him off at the tee box and then reading and drinking wine while lounging at the pool
We arrived at True Blue on Wednesday evening and met Donne and a few others. Let me mention at this point that I forgot how humid it could be. Steven swore he watched my hair curl Wednesday evening. We went out for a late dinner, and totally overwhelmed a local restaurant. I met a few people and had a few short conversations.
Thursday the boys had a practice round. I went food shopping and stocked the fridge. Then for a sweaty run and then met up with a friend in Myrtle Beach. I picked the boys up from the range about 4:30. They were sweaty messes. We decided to stay in for dinner and Adam volunteered to pick up pizza on his way back from the store. They boys had gotten their clothes from their respective sponsors and I was treated to a fashion show.
They were up early Friday morning, it was like kids on Christmas morning. Or like Steven on Christmas morning as an adult. Luckily, it was a late start at 9, so I was able to get in an early and slightly less sweaty run that the previous day. Steven had bought me an outfit from Callaway, his sponsor, for my birthday so I wore that on Friday. The clubhouse was packed with guys waiting for the green light. When it came, I let them all go first, for fear of being trampled. It was an amazing site to see. I’m really not sure words can do it justice. Forty guys in complete awe of what was in front of them. Smiling like nothing I’ve ever seen before.
Pictures were taken, clubs were tested out. Volunteers were amazing this day. They were everywhere when you needed them and never in the way. Those guys were a testament to the brotherhood of THP. Between Donne and I we were able to drag Steven away from the driving range. I forced a PBJ sandwich down his throat and dumped him back at the clubhouse for 9 rounds that afternoon. Then I had a late lunch with another girlfriend at the Dead Dog Saloon. It poured one hole into that round.
Friday evening we went to dinner with everyone else. I was completely in the dark as to who was who and what had been going down over the past day. But the friendships were evident and heartwarming. I know, it’s weird to have such close friendships with people you have only met online, but I also know how strong those bonds can be. I have an internet group of running mom friends and we are the same way as you guys. That was one part of this I really did get prior to attending. The match-ups were announced and I was a bit worried, as Steven was sure it would not be good for him.
Saturday – no joke, again I was planning on seeing him off and then hitting the pool. Adam’s dad, Bill, was also in attendance so he took them down early. I showed up and was able to get a cart to follow them out to the 10[SUP]th[/SUP] tee. I stayed with them for 9 holes. It was interesting at times, but felt a little slow-moving. I now know that was due to the format. So I enjoyed the view, drove the cart, and started on a book. I only stayed out for 9 holes.
I then sat on my screened in porch overlooking the 17[SUP]th[/SUP] green and watched the live update thread. Then I decided that was stupid and went out to Caledonia to try to find Steven. I was also able to follow Donne and Steven on their second match. This one was way fun! Alternating shot made it go quicker. The course at Caledonia was so beautiful. Spanish moss, flowers, so much green!
After rescuing my husband from lots of sweaty man hugs, we showered and changed for dinner again.
Sunday was a LONG day. It was fun, I saw the front nine of True Blue, which I had skipped the previous day. Steven played well and Matt played well, and that was that. After 11 holes, we went back to the clubhouse and were ready to watch people roll in. John and Trevor came by and suggested we go back out and cheer on some teammates. Foolishly, I let Steven drive the cart. We were able to see Donne as he was four up through 14. Then we saw Adam and Henri come through. And we were even fortunate enough to see Cookie’s hole-in-one. Which was an amazing moment to witness.
We raced Donne into the 18[SUP]th[/SUP] and were prepared to watch him and others finish up. I snagged some beers and we settled in. It was such a great site to witness. The sportsmanship, the camaraderie. These guys really did care more about each other than winning. Or at least the same. After each pairing finished, there were more sweaty man hugs and a few tears ….. Donne.
We had a great and relaxing dinner Sunday evening (after a nap!) and I was sad to say goodbye to these guys. They made me feel welcome from the beginning and I am so very glad I was able to attend.
So …. Things I learned:
1. This really was a huge deal, and I wish I had supported Steven better in it from the get go.
2. THP events are good for the soul. I truly hope we can do another one soon.
3. Golf isn’t horrible. In fact, its kind of fun. But seems complicated.
4. Golf clothes are cute. I just bought a new shirt today, actually.
5. There are way worse things in life than sharing your husband with golf.
