Of course, I’m a golf-obsessed guy. I’ve been playing for as long as I can remember, and I love and hate the game just like most amateurs. I was introduced to the game by my dad and his dad, and it is still the connective tissue that binds us. As it relates to professional golf, I have my opinions on the PGA/LIV stuff, sponsorships, apparel, country clubs, and the like, and center my year around the Majors.
For the majority of my life, the British Open and largely European golf was a big yawner for me.
I’ve never bought into the ‘home of golf’ trip to England/Scotland. It’s always seemed like an important history lesson set in relatively miserable conditions. The idea of playing 4-5 rounds in the rain/cold/wind just to say I did it does NOT seem like a good use of my time. Regardless, I’m fairly certain that I’ll get over there at some point.
Watching the British Open was always my least favorite major. Again, I understand the history and prestige for the players, but as a spectator on TV, there was nothing provocative that kept my attention. A bunch of dudes in rain gear and under umbrellas shivering…playing on courses that look nothing like what we play on here at the States. I sound like such a detractor.
That all changed eight years ago.
Eight years ago Mrs. RCS and I were blessed with our first son Henry. He was born on July 19th, 2017 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, the place we called home for the next three nights. While the couch wasn’t comfortable, and the food was somewhat suspect, it was our bubble while Mrs. RCS recovered, and we got to know our little dude.
For those of you who have been through this, you know that the feeding schedule with a newborn is serious. The Piedmont nurses are absolutely wonderful (and relentless!)…when its’ time to eat, it’s time to go.
Being that I’m an elite, amazing husband, I always got up and helped where I could. I really enjoyed it. And what’s even better? Those middle-of-the-night and early morning feedings were paired with the 2017 British Open on TV.
What had been a yawner for most of my life quickly became the soundtrack for the first few days our new lives as parents at the corner of Collier and Peachtree. The announcers and their accents, the claps, and the rhythm of golf kept us entertained while we were quickly transitioning to parent(s) mode. We did this for the duration of our stay at the hospital (along with the evening Braves games) and when we got back to our house. I remember how soothing it all was. It kept us relaxed in what could be a stressful, uncomfortable time.
Today, the British Open holds a special place in my heart. Every time it’s on I think back to those days. The feelings, the anticipation, the exhaustion, and the excitement. Mrs. RCS and I usually make a comment or two when it’s on, and my heart beats a little harder watching Henry watch the golf coverage during his birthday weekend.
Jordan Speith dominated that Open, probably in honor of another great American being born that weekend. I blame him for Henry’s excellent golf swing and his desire to get out and play.
All in all, it could be worse, but I don’t want it to be.
IMAGE: Google Image Search
Elite husbands unite!
Golf, and perhaps to some extent, tennis, are lifetime sports that really bridge generations. Something kinda cool about three generations being able to watch the same players on tour (Niklaus, Palmer, Couples, Woods, etc.) playing the same great courses. That doesn’t really happen in team sports.
Having a kid changes everything…including how one views the Open!
I got into watching Premier League soccer (football) for the same reason… it was on TV during my early morning feeding shift.
When I was first reading I was like what??? The open is my favorite major, it’s head and shoulder above the others for me personally. I think It’s the most interesting to watch and I love the weather aspect. But kinda like you, it wasn’t always that way for me. Not as memorable or special as your story, but in 2016 I was doing groundskeeping at the local country club. I worked from 630-230 and got to play golf as much as I want. Golf was everything for that time, working and playing. On weekends, we’d get off at 9ish. I remember coming home and watching Phil and Henrik Stenson battle it out and I was forever hooked on the open. Now, that style of golf is by far my favorite and I love the not so cush style we Americans seem to love.
Who is your pick???
That is awesome. I had the opportunity to work on the greens-keeping team at local club during summer breaks in college and I passed. My buddy who took the job got hooked, changed his major from poli sci to agronomy, and 20 years later has been the asst. sup and superintendent at some pretty incredible clubs throughout the South. If I could go back in time….
I loved It for sure. I did It At the municipal course in my college town and the country club in my hometown. The superintendent at the CC asked if I wanted to change my major and he would help me out, I declined. Similar to you, if I could go back in time.
That’s an awesome story. This is my second favorite major by far. It’s such a cool contrast to the perfect “Augusta” look that only a few lucky people can even see. What’s so interesting is golf in the Uk is much more about the purity of the game overlooking stunning views and accessible to everyone. Top 5 courses in the world that anyone can play. But here in the country that was built on freedom and not on the exclusive class levels we have very few of our elite courses accessible to the people. There is something charming about that. I think the Open is a great reminder of what it’s supposed to be like. We don’t do this with other sports. But we insist on it with golf.
Your son Henry has a great birthday! I’ll be landing on the double nickel Saturday and have always used my birthday (along with Fathers Day for the U.S. Open) to remember when the British Open is being played.
The British Open has always been my second favorite Major after the Masters.. I enjoy the field that differs more from the PGA Tour events and the contrast of the courses compared to what we have here in the U.S.. I have great memories of watching Nicklaus and Watson winning as a kid and when discussing with golf buddies growing up which Majors would you most want to win or in what order I always had the Masters and the British one, two. Something about the international prestige of the British always hit home with me.
Have a great birthday, Henry!
Wonderful story. My dad & I just got to Northern Ireland this afternoon and have tickets for tomorrow and Saturday. I even packed a RCS hat to rep the brand at the Open.
As someone who lives in the Northeast and has roughed similar cold and rain to what we see overseas, this is always my favorite major.
To see these guys hacking it out rings true to the golf I play in the fall and early spring (who am I kidding, winter).
Enjoy the weekend!