“Ashton??!? Ashton?! Am I being punked?”
Like…. They understand the problem with this thinking… right? A carbon tax will increase gasoline prices like $2-3/gallon. The federal gas tax is 18.4 cents per gallon.
They get that, right?
Ummm…
Oh boy.
In other news…
Ben has had a full golf week which means I’m more mentally exhausted than him. I truly don’t want to be and I truly understand that I’m not the one playing. But oh my…. It’s hard to be a parent sometimes! You want success for your kids so badly, it literally crushes your soul. It’s exhausting, I highly recommend it.
Last week, he qualified to play in the state championships, with 2 stroke play rounds to determine the top 32 out of 100 who would advance to the match play. 76-76 would likely be good enough. Challenging, but doable.
On Friday in his practice round, he shot an almost bogey free 68. “Almost” because he called me from the middle of the fairway on 18 to say “Dad, I’m about to shoot a bogey free 66 when I birdie 18.” Yeah.
Last year, he checked the leaderboard during a high school Tournament and discovered with 4 holes left, he was leading by 2. He proceeded to shoot double triple double triple to fall out of contention and tie for 30th. 81 with 10 over in the last 4 holes is good, right?! Kenny Rogers?! Where are you when I need you?
So round 1 at states is an unmitigated disaster. He opens with an 83 and 3 putt 7 times. 41 putts overall. He would have 10’ birdie putts he knocked 6’ by. Chunked 2 chips. After the round he called and said “Dad. It’s the best I’ve ever stuck the ball.” Ummm. You know that putting is included in ball striking, right?
Sunday night, we devise a game plan for round 2 (him to play, and me to live vicariously). To qualify, likely needs to shoot 68. Possible but very unlikely. “What a great learning opportunity!!” I say.
“Ok. You should never have more than a tap in. Ever. Just don’t try to make your first putt. If it goes in, cool but just make sure you don’t 3 putt.” That’s it. That’s the strategy. No swing thoughts, course management, or ball striking. Out of the top 100 kids in the state, he ties for 5th on day 2 with a 71, and the only kids that beat him were top 5 overall, both days and I’m told they all committed to play golf in college. I walked with him all day and it was the most fun I’ve ever had on a golf course.
Oh my Goodness!! Parenting is sooooo easy!
Because he missed the cut, he got to take a place in the 3- day City Championships yesterday through tomorrow with a cut after the second round today. Having locked up parent of the year honors for my work with Ben as a golfer, I’m already thinking about my masters tickets in 2027. I mean… should I be his agent and media trainer. Should I open a school for Elite golfers? Will the LIV tour want me to commentate? Sooooo many questions… Helpfully, Ben opens with an 89. 2 triples. 4 doubles. A 4 putt and it could have been 5 shots worse. Oh my Goodness!!!! Parenting is soooo hard!!!!
In the clubhouse, we talk for 40 minutes. We go over every shot. The approach. Mentality. Routine. Course management. Everything. And at the end of the conversation I casually say “I can’t understand how you 3 putt from 6’ not once, but twice?” He looks at me and said “My goal was to make the putt so I hit some too hard.” Excuse me.
“You shot 83 then 71 and the only difference was playing to never have more than a tap in and then you change that approach and shoot 89?”
So. Ladies. Please forgive your biological male, son or husband or partner. We are literally that stupid.
He shot 71 today, tied for first on the day, and made the cut starting 9 back. He didn’t 3 putt once.
I mean….. Ashton??? Are you punk’ing me?
83-71-89-71. As his brother Andrew says, he’s a very consistent golfer.
Haha, what a story. He sounds very talented though and wish him the best. He’s also lucky to have your support and engagement.
David, Great stuff !
Ben is learning…and as we both know this game is so hard…and another thing we both know is Ben will give you every thing he has ! He is a Fun kid to coach.