This is NOT going to become a golf blog, I promise. I can hear the coughing and snickering from those of you who know of my love for …OK, obsession with…the game, but this is actually going to be about the value of experience.
My friend Joe in England wrote that “the fairest way to describe the English Summer is it sucks!” If you’ve read yesterday’s piece, you’ll know that the weather has replaced Tiger as the factor to beat this weekend.
And who is atop the Open leader-board at this writing? A guy six months older than I am. Greg Norman, course designer, wine maker, etc. reverted to Greg Norman, Champion Golfer for at least two days. While the young guys are having trouble with the English Summer, Norman, and a couple of old guys about whom you may have read, Rocco Mediate and Tom Watson, are doing quite nicely, thank you. Sure, young stud Villegas finished with 5 straight birdies, but let’s see where he is tomorrow.
Of course, I have a business thought. Often a young person has a great idea and, coupled with their almost boundless energy, brings it to fruition in a flash. Just as often, we older guys get overlooked because in general we’re not about flash any more – it’s about substance, experience, and knowing how to play in the wind and rain. No one puts your name on the Trophy if you’re leading after the third round. The trick is to endure and persist through the changing conditions, the bad shots, and the lousy breaks. Many young people aren’t there yet (the notable golf exception being the Woods kid, who is as mentally tough as a 50 year old).
Hopefully in your business there is enough respect for the people who can’t hit it 325 anymore. We know how to avoid the trouble and what to do if we get into it, and that’s something only experience brings. In the words of Toby Keith, “I ain’t as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.” You go, Greg.
Consult Keith 