Chapter 34

We drove up to the clubhouse as Steve was getting out of Jerry's Explorer. I rolled the window down and said, "Jerry asked me to tell you he needs his truck this morning. I'll call Tamara and get her to drop him off to pick it up. She said she would when I called her."

I parked the car and we walked in to the clubhouse. Mark, the pro, came up and said hello. "Has anyone asked for me this morning?" I asked.

"No one yet, but Tom, Frank, and George are on the range. Your tee times aren't for an hour."

"Can you fix my friend up with a set of clubs?"

"Sure can," he said. He turned to go to the back of the pro shop and Michael followed him.

I heard the door open and turned to see Phil walk in. "Good morning," he said. "Did the party go on much longer after we left?"

"Naw, we just laid around in the chaise lounges for a while," I replied. "Shall we put your clubs on the cart? I'd be honored if you would ride with me."

"How else am I supposed to give you more lessons?" he kidded me.

Michael walked out of the back with a set of clubs and Mark was following him. Steve was browsing in the pro shop and picked up a dozen balls. He was headed to the counter when Bob walked in. "John, Phil, how are you guys?"

"Great!" I said, "Tom, Frank, and George are hitting balls. The rest us are here. Let's get loaded up and play some golf!" I was excited. Before last year, I played once a month, now I play whenever I wanted. The pro here at the club treats me special. And that day, I was playing with Phil Jackson.

Mark walked up and told me that my clubs were on a cart outside. He asked me who was riding with whom. I told him Steve would be riding with Bob in the first group. Michael would be hooking up with whoever had the open spot on the carts at the range. "I'll be riding with this gentleman," I said and pointed to Phil who was looking out at the course and had his back to us. Phil turned around and Mark did a double take.

"He gave me a start," Mark said. "That guy looks just like Phil Jackson."

Phil stepped over and I introduced him, "Mark Long, meet Phil Jackson. Phil... Mark."

Mark was speechless. Phil said, "Relax, I'm just a golfer."

I broke out laughing as Mark fell all over himself to get us what we needed. Mark did ask for a favor. He asked if Phil would pose for a picture in the pro shop with him. Phil agreed and Mark disappeared and came back with his camera. I got Steve to take the picture with Phil, Michael, Mark, and me.

The rest of the guys showed up from the range and I filled them in on the groupings. We went out and prepared the carts. It was amazing that we all got brand new hats with the club's logo on them. Mark took some more pictures.

My group headed for the first tee box and Tom's group followed. Since Phil knew absolutely nothing about our course and neither did Steve, I hit first. The first hole was 430 yards with a dogleg right and I hit just to the left of center about 250 yards. Bob followed me and was nearer the center of the fairway. Steve hit next and went about twenty yards farther. Phil curled it around the dogleg and was at the 150 marker.

Bob, Steve, and I made a par on the first hole while Phil birdied. Steve was the surprise of the group. I never figured him to be a golfer but after five holes Phil was one under par and Steve was two under. Bob and I were both two over.

"Steve, you never told me you played this game so well," I said.

"You never asked," he said.

Steve had the honors on number six and blasted a long drive. Phil matched him while Bob and I were along for the ride. Steve birdied and Phil two-putted for par.

Phil asked Steve, "What is your handicap?"

"Four now, but it was one in college," Steve replied. "I only played one year and then joined the Air Force."

"You handle the sticks very well," Phil said.

We made the turn and Phil and Steve were all even at three under. I was six over and Bob was five over. We went to the snack bar and waited for the other group. They caught up and were bragging about how nicely the course was playing.

Michael pulled me aside and told me Frank was going on about how exciting last night was. Michael was afraid he might say something to one of the others. I told him to relax, Frank was cool.