The Pathways of GOLF

These stories from Pathways to Leadership® Graduates are too precious (and funny) not to share with all of our website visitors. And they both deal with an activity close to many businessmen's (and women's) heart: GOLF.

Plumbing, Golf, Dairy Queen and Sushi

Yesterday myself and a buddy (Paddy the Irishman) were 5 down going on to the 11th hole. The boys we were playing said they would allow us to concede the match and go double or quits on our bet for the remaining 8 holes. Paddy agreed and commented to me that we hadn't won a hole all day and we didn't stand a chance a hope in h--- of beating these two yahoos.

So, I told him no way and encouraged him to stay focused on the task at hand. Let me tell you lads, we got on a roll that would have given Tiger and Mickelson a run for their money. I made four 12 foot pressure puts to win holes and was hitting 6 irons from 170 in the most tumultuous windy conditions to within 2ft. All in all, the Irishman won a couple of holes and I shot 5 pars and a birdie to mop up our decimated competition on the last hole by 1up. Ahhh....this Pathways to Leadership stuff really does work!!!

So, you might ask what was the bet?. Here's where things get tricky lads and I nearly ended up on the low road. Our dispirited friends had to buy us lunch and a celebratory 19th hole drink. Well, considering the feat of this momentous occasion, I ended up overstaying my extracurricular hall pass from my wonderful wife by 3 hours. Anyway, she called on the cell to let me know to "get my ___ home" and let's just say she wasn't too happy (i.e. the couch was starting to look good that night).

On my way home I was still exhilarated with the victory and on a roll even though I knew conflict was waiting for me just around the corner. How could I take the high road on this one for God's sake? Just then it came to me, a vision from above. Quickly, I made a U-turn and headed for the high road. There it was lads, a Dairy Queen and Sushi restaurant in the same strip mall (my wife and kids favorite foods). Of course, all was quickly forgiven when I got home and I'm still on a rollllllllllll.... Garth

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Firmly On a ROLL

At the end of the day Friday my magic moments were comprised of cancelled flights, three connecting flight delays, a taxi confused about destination/pickup, and a dead battery (Jeanie's) back at the plant at 12:30 AM on Saturday.

After the four days with our teammates learning the tools, we were all but bulletproof in the face of low road choices (but I was concerned about getting on a roll for my 7:30 AM tee time).

The next morning I arose at 6:30 refreshed; I was home. While I was in front of the mirror shaving, I began sharing some insights from the program with my wife Marie, and she tried to carefully prepare me for a bombshell.

"We had kind of a small disaster on Thursday and I hope you still feel charged up after I tell you about it." Our water heater had burst and was flowing ten gallons a minute for who-knows-how-long, onto the basement floor until Marie could locate the shutoff valve. "I called a plumber and he replaced our water heater. I didn't know what else to do." I'm sure she was expecting me to blast her when she relayed the damages - $480. After all, in 23-1/2 years of marriage, I've always handled replacing mechanicals myself.

But, I told her what a great job she did in handling the situation. I went down to breakfast and I asked myself what the benefits of this "disaster" were to me. It happened while I was gone! I didn't have to shop, haul and replace a water heater instead of playing golf! I have a new water heater without lifting a finger. Then I asked myself what I was looking forward to today. I continued to get on a roll at the first tee by sharing the story with my buddies. That roll kept getting stronger for 18 holes.

By the sixth tee, after I had birdied number 5, one of our foursome said he wanted the old Tom back. I said "Sorry but I left the old Tom in Cleveland yesterday and he's not coming back!"

Driving down the 15th fairway I was doing a Pathways to Leadership drum roll. After striking nearly a hole-in-one on 17, my cart partner noted that I might want to keep right on going to number 1 after the 18th! Even though I have scored lower, I had one of the most enjoyable golf outings ever because of forward focus and being on a roll. The Mind Body Connection in action. Sorry, this is the reader's digest version!

Sunday, my wife and I had a breakthrough in our relationship. I told her that I am committed to holding her in degrees of strength, as she is deserving of that. She said that she has noticed this change in me and is thankful that the program has had such an effect on me.

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