Neil focuses on lining up a putt.
If the title of this post confuses you, hopefully it will make sense when you finish reading this.
Sometimes in life, you don’t have to win to be victorious. A win is a wonderful thing, especially when talking about sporting events. Still, sometimes just battling to the end makes one a winner.
Especially when he’s overcome many adversities.
This past weekend was our county amateur golf tournament. It’s a wonderful tournament with upward of 150 golfers each year. Winning the championship on this course is quite the accomplishment. Especially if it’s somebody other than the person who has pretty much dominated this tournament for more than a decade.
A long putt drops on the 16th hole.
Enter Neil.
Neil is a long-time friend of mine. Years ago we used to sit around on Sundays during the winter and watch the Colts (my favorite team) and the Saints (his favorite team). Those days were filled with pizza, breadsticks (from Pizza Hut) and conversations about many things.
Golf was often the topic.
A passionate golfer, Neil once promised me if he ever made it on tour and reached the Masters, I’d get to be his caddy during the Par-3 tournament during the week leading into the Masters, which I always assumed would guarantee me being there to watch the actual tournament, too.
Though he didn’t make the tour, Neil’s always been one hell of a golfer. He hits the ball a country mile, has some of the best putting I’ve ever seen and usually stays calm when pressure hits. And he’s one of those guys who plays with focused abandonment — in other words, he’s not afraid to take a massive chance.
Alas, all the talent in the world usually isn’t an even battle when life intervenes.
Neil will be the first to tell you he’s battled some demons. He’s had many adversities in life that he’s had to overcome. These adversities aren’t little petty things. He’s had to battle some serious stuff.
Many of us always wondered when these adversities would win — or if they would?
I always tried to bet on Neil. I never was willing to give up on him. I’ve had long talks with him and have tried to give input where I could. But he’s made his mistakes. And he admits it. He knows it.
He kept battling.
Many of us cheered for him. We hoped. We hoped some more. In some cases, people really put themselves out for Neil.
A few years ago, things seemed to be coming together. He held the lead at the County Am. Could this be the tournament that helps him straighten life? Many people would look at this tournament and wonder why it would mean so much to somebody. After all, it’s just a County tournament.
It’s much bigger than that. For golfers in our area, it is the Masters. It’s the U.S. Open. It’s our “major.” And Neil was leading it and looking good in the process.
He missed his tee time the next morning.
When it happened, people said “That’s Neil.”
Despite regretting how things went down, I remember talking to him that weekend. You could see disappointment in his eyes in missing that tee time. Almost like it was major missed opportunity. That might have been something where some people might have thrown in the towel.
Neil kept pushing forward and has since turned a new leaf.
Watching a drive.
This year, the tournament came around and he was in it. Boy was he in it. In fact, he held a 1-stroke lead with five holes to play.
And focus? Wow was there focus.
After falling into a tie at the top, he drained a twisty 20-plus foot putt on Hole No. 16 to keep things tied.
Alas, it wasn’t meant to be.
He got a bogey on 17 and 18 to eventually lose by two strokes. His tee shot on 18 went out of bounds and you could almost hear a collective sigh of the crowd following.
It wasn’t that people were cheering against somebody else — it’s that they were cheering for Neil. Many local people know his story and have pulled for him.
When he finished 18, he smiled. I think he knows his time is coming and his name, one day, will be on that trophy.
He didn’t win the tournament but Neil won in many more ways. Many, many more ways.
The word “proud” was used many times after that tournament ended when people spoke about Neil. I’m sure many people shared my thoughts of being proud of how he battled and competed — both in the tournament and everything he’s overcome in life.
Here’s to it continuing.
And if it does, all the golf tournament victories in the world won’t add up to the biggest win of all — life.
Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog [at] gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!
This post is also being submitted to Dude Write, a weekly place where dudes show off their blog writing.
Winner of a Dude Write Chairman’s Choice Man Card for Week Six of Dude Write.
That’s really a lovely tribute to your friend. I love people who just keep fighting the fight. We all have demons to overcome, and all we can do is stay in the game. You made me feel his pain and his pride. Excellent piece of writing, P.J.
Linda Medrano recently posted..It All Started Early This Afternoon
Thanks, Linda. I appreciate the kind words!
Well done. I walked away from that tournament very proud of Neil Krick and the lasts 10 months of his life. I got to play with him that final round and he was as mentally strong as ever. Here’s to many more opportunities, and eventually the victory – it will come.
The best part is many of us walked away with the same feeling. And I agree — the win will happen in this tournament.
As Linda said, we all have our demons, some physical, some chemical, some mental but everytime I think I can’t stand another day to struggle through, I picture my daughter (who has stated she cannot live without me) and my new grandbaby (who would never get to know her grandmother) and I continue to fight the fight every day. Every one of us can find at least ONE thing that makes life worthwhile. Neil has some great friends I can tell. Lovely tribute.
Sheila — thanks for the words and your own personal story. I appreciate it!
That is really an inspiring story. When we look down inside ourselves, we find that we are stronger than we ever thought. I am glad your friend was able to find that strength and set his life back on track. Much luck to him in the next tournament.
Linda recently posted..If The Shoe Fits
I hope he keeps finding that strength to keep fighting! 😀
Wow. P.J., this is such an excellent piece and pulls on the heartstrings… I hope you submit it to be published. You can feel the love and respect you have for Neil. I’m sure it’s helped him get to where he is today.
Nicky recently posted..Souvenirs From “Sweden”
It is published — here on my blog! 😉 Thanks for the kind words!
I thought that this was going to be a Tin Cup story. Glad it wasn’t, and thanks for the good read.
Birdman recently posted..Therapy Thursday
Totally forgot Tin Cup! (one of my favorite quirky sports movies)
WilyGuy recently posted..Memory for Weird Stuff
A few years ago, it probably would have been a Tin Cup story! 🙂
Nice job mate. The rise above demons is always better than winning itself.
Great blog, great title.
Rusty recently posted..Two Ignorant Aussies continues
Agreed with the demons/winning part. Thanks for the note! 🙂
Like his putt, your telling of the tale was quite twisty. I kept feeling like I knew the next line, but you kept the suspense and didn’t let me get too far ahead. Very nice writing PJ. I was reminded of Chariots of Fire when you initially started, had some moments of oh no, this is going to be another Brian’s Song, but finished with a little Friday Night Lights.
Nice little roller coaster and good luck to Neil!
WG
WilyGuy recently posted..Memory for Weird Stuff
I think many of us never knew where the twists would go. We just kept hoping. I appreciate the notes and thoughts.
Fantastic story, and I agree to the moral in a big way. For example, my girlfriend always finishes first, but I’m the winner there.
Go go Neil. It will be yours some day, if you keep fighting for it.
Brandon, from My Own Private Idaho recently posted..Playboy Has Mastered The Art of Buying Low-Stock Celebrities
The moral, I hope, is something most people would agree with. What I truly do love is that it wasn’t just the focus of the person winning a sporting event — it was oh so much bigger.
Great piece of writing and a great tribute to your friend.
I like the moral of the story as well. Sometimes just showing up and giving it your best is a greater victory than actually winning.
workingdan recently posted..Game of Thrones: Episode VI; Heads and Heavy Baggage
Thanks for the kind words. When there are bigger things on the line, showing up and doing well is definitely sometimes bigger than winning.
This is a wonderful acknowledgment of your friends desire to keep trying. The best part is, there’s going to be more story to tell. I hope that the ending is a happy one. Well done.
I do hope there is more story to tell. One day that ending will have him holding the big trophy. Of that, I’m sure.
Great story. Golf mimics life. His perseverance says a whole lot about his character.
Agreed on his character!
I’ve never been a fan of golf, but a big fan of how sometimes sports can imitate life. You a good friend, and I’m sure Neil counts himself lucky to call you that.
Nice job P.J.
Michael A. Walker
Defying Procrastination
Michael recently posted..Dan Swagger: Death Only Knocks Once – Part 8
I think, for sure, sports can imitate life. And the underdog overcoming the obstacles seems to happen all the time. Thanks for the comments!
Couldn’t agree more with your title. Sometimes it can only be seen as a win in hindsight, though. Getting to the end is the hard part.
Nice post, P.J.
Youngman Brown recently posted..On Top of His Work
Thanks for the comments. And very true on the point about hindsight.
I’m very happy n proud to read this about my little bro. I do also see this tournament as representation of a big turn around in his life. I hope he continues to make a great life for himself. Pj. I also applaud u. You’ve become a great writer and are a great friend to have. Thanks.
Thanks for the great article I am very proud of Neil and the success he is having in the journey of life. It throws you many curves. Also I applaud your writing skills. Thanks for your friendship with Neil. Lorna
“Alas, all the talent in the world usually isn’t an even battle when life intervenes.”
That’s why those who overcome their challenges under the most difficult of circumstances inspire us the most.
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