A fun front 9

by Tom McConville

This past Sunday, I had the good fortune to play golf with Jason, my brother in law and friend. We played at a local public course in Rockland County NY called Blue Hill. Let me give a shout out to Blue Hill right off the bat. While the course may be less than difficult for the serious duffer, it's a challenge to someone like me - a perpetual 18 handicap. Plus, the people who run the course are great. Very accommodating, which is something you don't get from many public courses around northern NJ/southern NY state.

At the first tee, we were paired up with two other guys. A father and his middle school aged son. Right from the start, they apologized to Jason and me for their games, telling us to just go on ahead if they took too much time. They didn't need to do. There was no one behind us, and since Jason and I had a 5-6 hour pass, we were more than happy to take our time.

After everyone hit their tee shot, Jason and I started talking about the twosome we were playing with. Since we are both fathers, we were both excited and envious to see a dad playing a round with one of his children. Envious because we are both looking forward to the day we can do the same thing with our kids.

More to the point, we were impressed with the way the dad talked and taught his son throughout the round. Talking to him about being in the moment and concentrating on each shot. Teaching him how to act and behave during a round. The son was an eager learner, but even more importantly, a really special kid. Friendly, polite and engaging, he had charisma beyond his years.

Throughout the front nine, we got to know a little bit more about our playing partners. Like how the dad currently runs a hedge fund in New York City, and where the son will be going to high school in September. We also found out the dad was a father of five, and the son is into every single sport imaginable. Football. Basketball. Boxing. Track. Baseball. And now, golf.

At the 8th tee, I asked the dad about his oldest child. Specifically, where he/she was going to school. He told me the his oldest child, an 18 year old son, decided not to go to school right away. Instead he would try and pursue his dream of becoming a rapper. He then very casually told us his family had some experience in the music business. Starting a little company known as Roc-A-Fella Records.

The cool thing about the whole time spent with those guys was this. The dad never let on that he was a bigshot. He was just cool. Easy to talk to, and great to meet. Better yet, the son was just as down to earth as his dad. Unspoiled, easy going and well, nice.

At the end of nine holes, they both decided they had enough. As we said goodbye, the son asked his dad if we could all play again soon. The dad said that would be no problem if we didn't mind. We don't.

If you ever read this, Darien Dash, Jason and I would love to meet up with you and Dennis again. Can't tell you the golf will be all the good. But one thing is for certain. The company will be.