Recklessly I drove down the twisting two-lane road to the Country Club. Golf is serious business and not to be trifled with. This was a men's tournament not one of those best ball nightmares or worse yet, combined men and women's marathons with all the handicaps. Match play was the only way to determine who was on tip. One more victory would put me in Sunday's finals.
Just who Paul Jordan was, I didn't care. He had come up the other ladder. He was to be my victim. I had to put him away today.
By hole 16, I knew I could take it. I had him dormie. I was up by 2 with only two holes to play. He was at least ten years younger than I and much stronger. At about 6'2" his long athletic body produced drives at least 25 yards beyond mine. I was the sly ole fox, however. Course management was the key. I planned every shot, chipped to allow birdie putts and put him away. I could see frustration on his face as the ole dude whipped him.
I hit a beautiful drive. Right down the center with a slight draw that put me on high ground with a chance to cut the dogleg to the green. Paul's drive was far beyond mine, but sliced, and he had little chance of making a good second shot.
Time to put him away. I could just play safe, but I wanted a big finish, just to let this youngster know who was in charge. I pulled my three wood and began a few warm up strokes. About 220 yards...a high, soft shot...mentally I was ready. I addressed the ball. A slow, smooth backswing...
"Hold it!"
"What?"
"There's someone still on the green."