Thursday, October 1, 2020
So it's no secret how golf is a central part of my life. Today is a reminder that it as much about the game as it is about the people who you meet, build relationships with and who become "family". It was also a a reminder on how tomorrow is never a guarantee for yourself or your family and friends. Today I received the very sad news on the passing my dear friend and golfing buddy Val Scansaroli. Val and I knew each other for about 23 years. As members of Oronoque Country Club, Val played in a foursome that regularly played either in front or in back of mine for about 10 years. As in any club over time people leave, relocate, retire, etc. Ultimately Val and my foursomes merged as this "reorganization" occurred. Val and I were very similar on some fronts and almost polar on others. We both came from the same professional angle with similar management philosophies with the very similar feeling on being very candid and blunt, which tended to leak into our personal/private lives. On the golf course we were both very passionate (stubborn) on the rules and the integrity of the game, although Val tended to be a little more PC on this front . I will miss my friend and our time on the golf course. In remembrance of our time together I want to share the most "memorable" weekend of our time together and my favorite and symbolic memories of our time together which still and will always sit firmly front of mind. During one of our first 3-day Member-Member tournaments as partners we began our "journey" of being playing partners (which was mutually challenging at times). The first day is a scramble and as always I worked before our 1pm shotgun, Val took the day off. So it's an understatement to say we showed up in very different mindsets. He focused and ready to conquer, me distracted and way too energetic. Val calmly got in the cart and took my cell phone away from me, discussed how this was a 3 day tournament and we weren't going to win today but we could throw it away. Needless to say he calmed me down, and we did okay ending the day 4 strokes back. Day 2 was best ball (or as Val would say "grammatically, you know, it really is better ball"). We did okay but not without controversy. On our 17th hole but actually the 1st hole (shotgun start), our playing partners and fellow competitors broke two (to me) obvious rules. I wanted to call them on them and let's say I was VERY passionate about doing so. Val, calmly, tried to convince me that it wasn't intentional. I conceded to keeping my mouth shut and we ended the day in 3rd place 4 back from who I called the cheaters. Val laughed for the entire time we enjoyed our drinks afterward and talked about the great holes we had and ignored the "tirade" I was on, he bought the drinks so I actually did let it go (until Sunday morning). Day 3 is alternate shot, and after this particular day remains my favorite format in golf. We are paired with a new twosome and are playing right in back of the "cheaters". The day is pretty nondescript until we reach the 10th hole at Oronoque, which is our 16th hole. We are 2 over at this point and playing real well for a couple of 8ish handicaps at the time but I feel like we are falling back and have no shot unless we birdie 2 of the next 3 holes. We take my drive and before Val takes the 2nd shot we discuss that the miss is to the right. Val pulls his shot under a big oak about 90 yards out with a sucker pin. I STOMP my way the ball and let Val take the cart. Val just say's I'll see you up there which I mumble to and keep walking. I get to the ball and see there is overhanging branches, and start shaking my head, and moaning about what predicament we are in. Val calmly looks at me and says hey just hit the $#@*ing ball to the middle of the green. We both laughed and I say "Middle?!?!?!?, I've got to get this close so you can't miss the putt". Val laughs and says hit the !@#@ing ball to the middle of the green. My response simply was "yeah whatever". I hit a knock down/punch 52 degree wedge to 6 inches. I say nothing and walk to the next tee box. Val arrives at the tee after sinking the putt (birdie) and says "we're going to win" and I respond with a few expletives and "we've got no shot" when the other groups pipes up, you guys are 1 over par, we're 14 over so why don't you just play. We par the next two holes. On the drive in to the club house Val stops the cart and says "look at me, this was the one of the best 54 holes of golf I have ever played with someone and except for #10 today I had the best time and I won't be surprised if we win" and smiled. I responded "Hey it was the best 54 holes of golf I have ever played with anyone and if we win #10 will define this weekend". We returned to the clubhouse and turned in the card, I didn't notice that the pro looked twice at our score and our playing partners card with our scores. I changed my shoes, got my scotch and Val's beer and sat down. About 20 minutes later we learned we had not just won, but won by 7 strokes. It was over before the 10th hole. But that one hole defined and solidified a lifelong friendship. I will miss you my friend, say hello to Peter and Mike and someday we'll play again.
