I have not written yet about the Masters ending last Sunday. I really did not have any words. It was emotional; it was wonderful; it was exciting. It was like watching a fairy tale. Phil Mickelson, everybody’s good guy, one of the most polite, fine, gentlemen on the tour, won that victory with his usual style and class. What a hero!

I wept as he wept.

Our house was silent for the first time all afternoon — as we joined with him hugging his beautiful wife weeping tears of joy. His precious wife Amy was there in his arms. And the tears rolled. I think viewers all over the world must have wept with him. All of us who follow golf know that Phil’s wife and mother are battling breast cancer. And he has been the most devoted husband and son to his two favorite women on earth.

Rick Reilly called it a victory for women everywhere. I think he said it better than anyone else! I invite you to read Rick Reilly’s article about Phil, Amy, and Sunday afternoon at the Masters. If you don’t read another sports article this year, read this one — especially if you know someone with breast cancer. Rick Reilly’s words say it all for me. They really do!

The final day of the Masters Golf Tournament is here. What an exciting year!

The tournament started with champions Arnold Palmer, age 80, and Jack Nicklaus, age 70, teeing off. These two heroes are the ones who put golf on the map for the general public, I think. I know they are the ones I remember seeing first!
Tom Watson, at age 60, had a fantastic first day with a 67. On this Sunday morning, he is tied for 14th going into the tournament. And Fred Couples, age 50, is in 5th place starting the final day. Couples won the Masters in 1992 and lost the tournament to Phil Mickelson in in 2006. Couples competes and wins regularly on the Championship tour.

And Matteo Manassero, at only 16 years old, became the youngest player to ever make the cut at the Masters!

From 16 years old to 80 years old, the finest golfers in the world are at Augusta this week. The wide age range was striking, reminding us all that golf is a game for all ages–even at major tournament levels. And in the gallery, age is no issue either. My nephew is very excited to be attending his first Masters this year at the age of 10 years old — and starting a tradition that I am sure will continue for the rest of his life.

Our little grandson already enjoys golf at the age of 6 years old — and especially enjoys time on the driving range with his Poppy. Today he will be watching the tournament on tv with his daddy, and will be chattering about it all next week with his Poppy. What other sport do you know that a child can enjoy with his parents and grandparents, actively, as a spectator, in person or on television?

I do hope you take some time today to watch the final round of the Masters tournament on television. Even if you do not yet play the game, you will enjoy seeing the best of the best at their best! To keep up with the latest scores, go to Masters.com.

PS — And when your children or grandchildren ask about golf, do open that door for them and help them to discover a game they can enjoy for a lifetime!

Yesterday was a beautiful day at the Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta Georgia! I know the Adams family group had a fantastic day!

The azaleas were at their peak. Kathy took some wonderful photos. Just walking on the golf course and seeing the flowers all in bloom is a treat in itself.

In the 1960’s, Whitey always gave Jack Nicklaus a blue tee before the Masters. This year, though, Whitey gave Jack one of his treasured buckeyes for good luck!

How wonderful to have Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer as honorary starters. It’s hard to imagine that Arnold Palmer is 80 years old — and he sure hit that little white ball right down the middle this morning! These two gentlemen represent golf at its finest – I salute them both with thanksgiving for all they have done and continue to do for the game of golf.

Masters week is a tradition in our family – I loved this shot of Whitey and Randy at the Masters yesterday. A great father-son picture – Thank you, Kathy!

Tradition also includes ending the day with ice cream at the Pink Dipper!

For up to the minute scores, go to Masters.com! It looks like it’s going to be a most exciting tournament!

My sister’s son recently gave her a dog. Today she wrote this powerful poem about him. I knew you would want to see it! Zeus recently had to have his tail removed due to a medical emergency. He is a rescued dog. And a mighty precious one!

Zeus is Different…
So Are We

Zeus, my dog, is different.
He does not have a tail.
But Zeus is beautiful.
He has long white fur.
He has blue eyes.
But he does not have a tail.
Zeus is a happy dog.
He loves me very much.
But he does not like strangers.
I am different, too.
I am very short and skinny.
But I love people.
My best friend is taller than me.
She does not hear very well.
But she loves me.
My neighbor cannot see.
But he laughs alot and loves music.
We all are different.
Zeus, my friends, and me.
But we smile and are happy.
Are you?

by Betty Tate DeLorme in tribute to her friend, Zeus

If you are among the lucky ones, and you have a ticket to the Masters this week, here are a few tips to increase your enjoyment!

1. Leave your cell phone in the car. Your cell phone is not welcome inside the gates.
2. You will go through a metal detector. No weapons of any kind –including your pocket knife and nail clippers — are allowed through the gates.
3. Have your badge or ticket in hand as you get to the gate. Attach the ticket or badge to your clothing after you go through the turnstile. Keep your badge or ticket within view at all times.
4. If you are attending the practice rounds (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday), cameras are acceptable. Take your camera and take tons of pictures! Leave your camera at home after Wednesday.
5. Binoculars will add to your enjoyment! If you forget the binoculars, you will be mad at yourself!
6. You will need a golf chair or sitting stick. Large chairs with arm rests and drink holders are no longer acceptable. Of course, you can stand up all day if you like, but you will be happier with a golf chair. Chairs are for sale at the Golf Shop for $29.
7. Use sunscreen and lip balm.
8. Green high on # 3 green is a great place to sit, if you have binoculars to watch # 4 green. Also # 12 tee is a popular spot for viewing.
9. Restrooms and refreshments are readily available.
10. Have fun! Relax! Enjoy the beautiful scenery and the excellent golf.

PS Whitey says if you see a squirrel nest or a squirrel on the property to let him know. They simply are not allowed inside the gates!

Happy Easter to you and your family! It’s a busy time of year for us. With my birthday and Easter both in the same week, I am reminded to review, evaluate and make new plans for my life. The flowers are starting to bloom; I feel renewed. Spring is a wonderful time to start over, begin again, make a list. Easter feels like New Year’s Eve to me. I think I can do anything and everything all at once! Help me, O Lord, to set goals that are do-able and to be reasonable with myself.

And if all my spiritual wanderings and celebrations are not enough this week, it’s Masters week. The Masters Golf Tournament starts tomorrow in Augusta Georgia. Springtime is beautiful in the south, but perhaps no spot is prettier than the Masters. The azaleas and dogwoods in bloom, the hush of the crowd as they watch the experts, the warmth of the sun — oh Masters week is glorious! A peek at the weather report shows perfect weather most of the week with possible thunderstorms on Thursday. This is Whitey’s 54th year to attend the Masters. He is so excited. Our son, daughter and son-in-law will pick him up before daybreak on Wednesday and head to Augusta. The Masters theme song will play continuously in this house all week!
PS – Yes, I have attended the Masters myself. I was 19 years old the first time Whitey took me to the Masters. That was quite a few years ago. In those days Whitey and his friend Terrell ran all over that golf course to keep up with their favorites, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. I decided then that I would enjoy it on television in the future!

It is my hope that you enjoy this joyous season – however you celebrate! Get outside and enjoy! The world is new again!

PPS – Do take a moment to visit the Masters with us via this video. Listen to the Masters song and enjoy the beautiful springtime scenes and the golf heroes of history at the Masters. Just click to watch – Enjoy!

Tribute to the Masters

We had a wonderful time last evening. We went dancing with the Rock Hill Shag Club. In fact, we applied for membership. Regular dancing is not only great exercise for seniors, but good socialization, too!

Our daughter and son-in-law went with us last night, and they had a great time too! Since the Carolina Shag is the State dance for South Carolina, all ages enjoy it. We have decided that a monthly shag night is a great adult family event, so next time we are hoping our son and daughter-in-law will join us too!

It was fun last night to watch some of the older beach shaggers – the folks who danced at Ocean Drive back in the 1950’s. And oh those folks can really dance! I remember in the 1950’s, Mama would have us dance before school — probably to help us stay warm — we walked to school in those days!

In the 1950’s, we danced everywhere – in friend’s homes, in the high school gym, even in the church social hall! We seemed to dance our way through the 1960’s too!

Note to Seniors — I have finally learned that if I take two Tylenol at bedtime, and coat my feet and legs with Absorbine or some other linament after dancing, I do not have leg and foot cramps in the night! Now I can have fun knowing I won’t struggle for sleep!

Just in case you have never seen the Carolina Shag, I am including a video!
Carolina Shag Dance

This is a continuation of details of my legally blind husband directing a golf tournament. At the present moment he is working on the Optimist Club tournament and yesterday I described how he keeps track of all the telephone calls required.

The tournament will be played at Pinetuck Golf Club near Rock Hill, SC at the end of March. The date was set and the golf course arrangements were made months ago. From this point on, Whitey and members of the Rock Hill Optimist Club will continue to recruit players, sponsors and gifts. The members will make the sponsor signs and have those ready to post on tournament day.

Before the meeting next week, Whitey and I will create a typed list of all sponsors, gifts and players. This will allow the club to review progress and to ensure that members do not call on people that have already been contacted.

On tournament day, Whitey will welcome the players and go over the rules before the shotgun start. A picnic lunch will be served this year in lieu of the barbeque after the tournament and during the auction. Most items will be up for silent auction and the silent auction clipboards will be on tables around the pro shop when the players arrive.

Whitey will play in the tournament, and they will all have a wonderful day. They always do! After the tournament, the remaining items are auctioned.

My job for the next few weeks is to read, type or drive as needed. I do not direct golf tournaments! But we all are looking forward to a successful fundraiser for the Rock Hill Optimist Club.

PS The Optimist Club of Rock Hill has its own Squidoo lens! Stop by and say hello!

Photo courtesy of Erskine College — Thank you, Erskine!

Whitey, my legally blind husband and former golf professional, often directs golf tournaments for local charities. Right now he is working on the local Optimist Club Golf Tournament, a tournament he has directed for 6 years or more. So how does a legally blind fellow direct a golf tournament?

First, it is important to know that Whitey has a huge list of golfers, friends and acquaintances that he who are serious golfers. A list for Whitey is a stack of 4 x 6 index cards. Whitey writes on the cards with a
20 20 pen which is a very bold point pen. The 20/20 pens do not have the terrible odor associated with normal marking pens. Each 4 x 6 card contains a name, a phone number and some very special “Whitey code”. WCB — means he left a message and they will call back. Of course they will! A check mark and date indicates that he talked to them about the tournament. YES means that the golfer has agreed to put a team in the tournament.

The next project is to find sponsors for each hole. Local businesses make a $50 donation and the club posts a sign on each hole. Again, Whitey has a stack of cards, his list. This includes businesses that have contributed in the past or new businesses that we have heard about through the year. Name of Business, name of contact and a phone number all written with the trusty 2020 pens. And of course, the coding at the bottom of the card indicates the responses.

As his vision has deteriorated, many times throughout the day he brings cards for me to read. This is frustrating for him, I know, and we simply need to research a better system. But for now, it works.

He also finds businesses to donate gifts for the auction after the golf tournament. Tomorrow for instance, one of the Optimist members is taking him on a “pick up gifts” run. They will call on businesses who have agreed to donate a gift for the auction. These gifts are also found via Whitey’s now famous telephone cards.

Of course, we often have businesses who need to receive an invoice or proof of Optimist Club sponsorship, and I email those addresses to the club treasurer and he sends out the bills.

To be continued tomorrow…..

PS The photo was made during a golf trip to Scotland last year. But that’s another story. We just needed a bit of humor in this dry post of details.

We went to a dance tonight. The Rock Hill Shag Club had a huge dance with the Coastline Band performing! It was a super group and a fun party. And of course, Whitey, my legally blind husband, was excited about going. We both enjoy dancing — shag and country line dancing. With predictions of terrible weather, I was a bit anxious, but we decided to go on. I am glad we did.

In the 1950’s and 1960’s, high school students of the Carolinas flocked to Myrtle Beach — actually they still do. But back in the 50’s and 60’s, everybody danced the Shag or the Carolina Shag, as it is sometimes called. Wikipedia says The Carolina Shag is a six count partner dance done mostly to moderate tempo music (100-150 bpm). During the dance the upper body and hips hardly move as the legs do convoluted kicks and fancy footwork. The Carolina Shag is the state dance of North Carolina and South Carolina.

For some reason, those high school students of the 50’s and 60’s have never let go of those happy, carefree days. Perhaps because it’s such a perfect dance!

Dancing is a great way to celebrate life! What is the custom where you live? Do the seniors in your area still dance the dances of their high school days like we do? We certainly do not dance as well as the professionals, but this video will show you how the professionals do the Carolina Shag. Just click and the video will play right here in this blog. And thank you for visiting!

Carolina Shag Professionals