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When Lynnda and I returned from Scotland we learned there had been an accident in our neighborhood over July 4th weekend. “According to Kanawha County Dispatchers, the Pinch VFD, Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office and ambulance crews responded to an ATV rollover. Two people were reportedly injured. Neither were wearing helmets." Our next door neighbor told us, the grandson of another neighbor, a good kid and his friend -- both 12-years-old -- were on the ATV. The grandson comes over with friends to play basketball with me in my driveway. The media reported they had "minor injuries.” Minor injuries are like minor surgery, if it is someone else's child, friend or body.
We know his mom and learned he has a concussion, road burns and other issues."He has a long road to recovery." Basketball is questionable. It could have been worse. As a former motorcycle driver, I always reminded him about the importance of wearing a helmet. Usually he wears one. Not that day. I rarely see adults wearing helmets on ATVs. That is their choice. Children follow different rules. Maybe they were only going for a short ride and my young friend thought it wasn't worth the trouble putting on helmets since adults don't wear them. Children need to learn who to follow. We set examples everyday. Are they positive?
When we were in Scotland, if in doubt, we looked at what the Scots were doing. We were a guest in their country. After returning I learned, at the Park Run 5K in Inverness, I finished first in my age group. It wasn't because of my blinding speed. Maybe it was persistence since there weren't many in my age group, and my daughter's encouragement. She is my running coach.
Golf in Scotland was incredibly fun. Everyone walks. Golf carts are only for the few people with medical issues. Playing 18 holes of golf was a 5-6 mile walk. The courses we played were "links courses.” A links golf course is the oldest and most traditional form of golf. Most golf courses here are landscaped and tree lined. Links courses are built on sandy terrain with natural dunes and seaside winds. In three rounds of golf in Scotland, I saw only one tree on the courses. The courses have deep, hard to get out of "pot" sand bunkers. Three shots to get out of a pot bunker turned a 5 into an 8 on one hole for me. Because of the wind, low shots work much better than high shots and roll a long way on the short fairway grass. I hit a lot of low shots so I benefited. Strong winds can be brutal and change everything. The fairway grass is short and there is nothing to stop a ball in front of the greens. I found myself putting onto greens from 60+ yards away. It kept the ball out of the wind and sand traps.
We took caddies to carry our bag and give us advice on the courses. They walk these courses once or twice a day and get to play them periodically. When my caddies gave me advice I listened. We can learn a lot when we listen and trust someone who knows more than we do.
The second course we played was the Royal Dornoch Golf Club. It was a beautiful Championship course. When I got to the first tee the rest of our foursome already had their caddies. Dannielle's caddy said to her, "I wanted to get to you before Zander." That should have been a clue. Zander was a short scruffy bearded Scotsman in his 50s who loves Scotch whisky. He lives in Dornoch from April to November. Owns a carpentry business and is semi-retired. He caddied for extra money and earns over 220 pounds (about $300) a day. The winter months he spends in Thailand. Zander claimed it was the warm weather and low cost of living. He tried marriage once for 13 years. "Never again." He asked if I was married, "Yes for 51 years." "You wouldn't like Thailand."
The first tee was crowded with golfers. I was shocked when the starter called us to tee off by name. Most golf pressure in my life. I didn't want my first shot in front of all those people to dribble off the tee. I asked Zander for advice, "Don't hit the ball left. We will never find it." I was able to focus and get off a good tee shot. Zander and I got on well. If I hit a bad shot he said, "You didn't show up for that one." Or "Keep that club. Maybe you will hit it this time." Zander knew his business. If I hit the ball where he told me and it was a great shot we celebrated. He read the greens perfectly. But I wasn't the perfect putter. At the refreshment stand at #10 I asked if he wanted a drink. Zander ordered a massive can of beer. I relaxed, enjoyed the course, and had fun with Zander and the rest of our group. I ended up playing a decent round of golf for me.
Dinner was in a restaurant across from the golf course. Dannielle went to pick up Lynnda at the hotel for dinner. Zander saw her, saying, "I know where you are going. Can you drop me off at the pub on the way?" On the way home from dinner it was still daylight at 10 p.m. When we passed the pub, Zander was out front. We stopped to visit and took pictures. Lynnda got to meet Zander. He is unusual but a great guy and fun to be around. You can't always tell the book by the cover.
Zander always told the truth, even if I didn't like it. We can learn from our own mistakes or the wisdom of others. I wish my young friend a speedy recovery from his accident. I also want him to learn from his mistakes and not repeat them.
Greg Kozera, gkozera@shalecrescentusa.com is director of marketing for Shale Crescent USA. He is a professional engineer with a masters in environmental engineering and over 40 years of experience in the energy industry. Greg is a leadership expert, high school soccer coach, professional speaker, author of four books and many published articles.