Page 19 - May Pages

Golf and Tennis Shop Happenings & More
Page 19

Traveling Man find strength and peace in the Lord, as well each other better. We trudged on for three
By: David Edward as happiness in their hearts. more holes and started the process all over
Calkins While I am excited about starting my new again. Vito and I got to know each other’s
life and adventure with my family, I know background and career paths. Mine turned
Upon learning that at I am going to miss the family and friends out to be somewhat of a surprise. “Cowboy
the end of this golf sea- I have made at Ocean Village and here in Dave” is worth a long discussion with a lot
son at Ocean Village I South Hutchinson Island. I have been lucky of laughs and finally we plowed on and fin-
would be leaving para- enough to have played at some of the best ished all nine holes. I don’t know if I can
dise; my boss and dear friend, Beth Cecil, golf courses in Southern Florida. This in- adequately describe what this round of golf
asked if I would share a few words about cludes all three golf courses at PGA Village, was all about; two beautiful people opened
my experience at Ocean Village and why I two at Sandridge Dunes, Saint James, Ga- their hearts to me and exhibited the great-
was leaving. tor Trace, Indian River, Fairwinds and doz- est patience and kindness another individ-
When I sat down and tried to put pen to ens of others. However, the regality of the ual could give. They showed the warmth of
paper and share my experiences, I found course and their “who’s who” lists is not companionship that I hope and pray will re-
out how hard it is to intelligently express what chooses the course for me; what does, sult in a long and wonderful friendship.
emotions, describe personalities and share rather, is where my friends play. As long as As I prepare to leave Ocean Village, I do
personal experiences. In trying to realize a we’re dreaming, I would love to have played so with the plan to return next year during
way I could accomplish this; I suddenly re- a round of golf with the players that I think the worst of winter (January through April)
membered the insights a friend had shared represent the best in golf- as a snowbird. However, should anything
with me through his poetry. Jerry Siegel’s 1. Arnold Palmer: A heart of gold and the change, I would like to expand upon three
books of poetry “More from Less” and “Po- comeback kid. lines in Jerry Siegel’s poem “You Were
etry for Walking Home” have inspired me, 2. Chi Chi Rodriguez: Pulled himself up There”. These three lines express the feel-
supported me, comforted me and provided by his bootstraps to the top. ings that were shared between my wife Kay
the tools I needed to come to grips with my 3. Tiger Woods: The champion of the and me at her time of passing.
life; to determine how to go on in a loving champions! Filled with drive, desire, and “You were there when
and caring way. dedication. I needed you most.
A very close and personal friend of mine, *Of course, the only rule we would have is I hope I see you tomorrow.”
Mike Hall, was to have moved down here that when I was ready to swing, they would Both of us saw, felt and knew our final
this last fall. He was going to work with me all have to turn their heads and promise not resting place would be under God’s beau-
at the OV Golf Course and share an apart- to laugh out loud. ty in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.
ment. Our plans were all set and provisions While I loved Jerry’s poem “My Favorite This is where I will see you at our “tomor-
made for the arrival when, unexpectedly, Place at OV”- a reflection of my second fa- row” - where the valleys and ridges reflect
I was notified by Mike’s daughter, Mindi, vorite hole - to me standing at the tee on the ups and downs of life; where the colors
that Mike had suffered a major and fateful hole number 5 - is where it’s at. Looking at of the seasons represent the flow of feel-
heart attack just a week before he was to the beautiful landscaping along the water’s ings we shared. “You were there” through
come to Florida. I was completely devastat- edge, all the way to the green on the right the wonder of our life together and “you are
ed, withdrew into a closed ball to hide from side, the line of trees on the left, the depth of there” in my heart now as I wait for our “to-
my feelings; and turned to my silent partner, the challenge to hit a straight shot that keeps morrow”.
Jack Daniels, for companionship. the ball on the green can only be appreciated
It was during this time of grieving that I when you feel the sense of satisfaction that
realized how much I missed my family and runs through your veins when it plops down
their support during times of need. Jerry’s on the green successfully.
poem, “A Friend’s Passing,” helped me ac- On a serious note, Beth asked me what
cept Mike’s death; I realized that it was time was the best thing or most memorable mo-
to get back to the living. His poem “You ment while I was working at OV’s Golf &
Were There” gave me the strength to move Tennis Shop. After a short pause, my brain
on. screamed out a round of golf with Eleanor
Through experiencing this tragedy and and Vito Caraccio. It occurred on a day that
finding my way back to life through these my COPD was really bothering me and I
poems, I realized what a wonderful gift it suggested that they go ahead and play with-
is to have a family and friends who need out me. They both immediately refused,
and love you. I am the proud father of four saying they were in no hurry - that it was
children, have nine grandchildren and four no trouble to take all the time we needed.
great-grandchildren; I have not really seen They really didn’t know what they were in
or spent time with most of them since I for. They showed more patience than any-
moved here four years ago. one could imagine as we slowly played the
Now is the time for me to enjoy my family first three holes - then before the next hole I
and become a supporter/contributor to my said, “Sorry, I need to stop and sit a minute”. Participants of the Kids Putting Tournament that pre-
son in his endeavors as a Methodist minis- “No problem.” Eleanor and Vito replied. ceeded the Moonlight Partners Putting Event: Oliver,
ter. I look forward to working with the com- So, we sat down and let two other groups Preston, Grayson, Graham, Landon with Beth, Kid’s
munity and members of the church to help play through, all the while getting to know Tournament Director Betty Anne Asaro in back row. Awe-
some putting, kids! So much fun.