Following Brother John’s interview (100th Post/Interview with brother John), today we are visiting with long time great buddy and former business associate Dave, from Lancaster, PA. This is Dave’s second interview, as he participated in the third of a three part story in April of 2018 about single length irons (Single Length Irons/Part Three /The Back Nine with Dave Lynch). Dave has been along for the majority of my golfing voyage as documented in such stories as 3,314 Holes of Golf, More Than a Game, The Club Prophylactic, The Move, and countless other stories yet to be told. We played and laughed together every Saturday morning for many years, at the crack of dawn at the Highlands of Donegal in Mount Joy, PA, followed by a few beers, Cindy’s chicken salad, burnt hot dogs and Dave’s occasional scotch.
How and when were you introduced to the game? My Dad! Moving from Indiana to Pennsylvania when I was eight years of age, basketball and my Dad’s passion for baseball were the priorities. He started to play golf with his work buddies when he was in his late 30’s, totally falling in love with the game, however, with three young boys, he did not have the time to play a lot of golf.
Why are you so connected to the game? I played two to three times a year until I went to work with Bad Golf Guy in 1998. We played thirty to forty times a year, mostly with clients. I fell in love with the game quickly as I enjoy the social and the competitive aspects of golf, wishing I had started at an earlier age. Unfortunately, at the time, I was 43 years of age.
Share a favorite experience(s). Easy! Saturday mornings for 10 years; Meeting at daybreak, walking eighteen holes and having my first beer with my buddy, usually by 8:00 am and sharing stories in the 19th hole with Abe Groff (the patriarch of the Highlands of Donegal at the age of 85) for the majority of those ten years. With my buddy moving to Florida last October, I still play Saturday mornings and still visit with Abe. While I am playing my round, Abe mows eleven greens, including the practice putting green, and is typically waiting for me to enjoy our weekly libations and entertaining conversations.
Five or six years ago, we arrived at the Highlands of Donegal at daybreak to find the course consumed with a thick blanket of fog. We decided to head to the first tee knowing things would improve in short order. Fifteen minutes passed with no change, thirty minutes passed with no change. Getting impatient, we decided to give to a go. At no point during the round, with the exception our final hole, could we see more than 50 yards. We tried to track each other’s golf balls, with little or no success. We tried to determine the general direction of the greens, with little or no success. On one par three, it was eventually determined that we were aiming some forty-fifty yards to the right of the green. If I am not mistaken, we lost four balls on the day and had an absolute hoot!
Based on my and your advanced age, do you think you can still improve at this game? Yes! My focal point is the short game; unfortunately I do not get much time to practice. There is so much room for improvement.
How many rounds per year do you play? Growing up…none. From my early 20’s to age 43, two-five times per year. From age 43 to age 53, thirty to forty times per year. From ages 54 to 64, eighty to one-hundred times per year. In 2019 I will play between sixty-five and seventy-five rounds. I hope to continue at seventy to eighty rounds per year for as long as my body will allow. I exercise to play golf. I also watch Bagger Vance once or twice a year to motivate me to keep playing for many years to come.
If you had one place to play… 1st Choice…with Bad Golf Guy, early Saturday morning, joined by Jim High, walking along, providing expert commentary.
2nd Choice…playing at Conklin Players Club in Conklin, New York, followed by a few beers on the veranda, followed by a few more beers back at our Barkem Squirrel Hunting Camp.
I would like to play at Bandon Dunes in Bandon, Oregon (all three courses) and take a golfing trip to Ireland.
Golfing Goals? Short Term: Compete in my Club events and be more consistent tee to green.
Win the Highlands of Donegal Senior Championship for the third straight year.
Long Term: Play as long as I can and walk as many of those rounds as possible. I have always been intrigued by players shooting their age. There was a plaque in the Men’s Locker Room of my Club that lists players that have done so. One player is listed 185 times, of which, 90% of those rounds were between the ages of 79-85. This truly unique amateur accomplishment made an everlasting impression and an absolute inspiration. I aspire to have my name on that or a similar plaque many times over.
Finally, to continue to expose my grandchildren to the game of golf and the benefits that will last a lifetime. My grandson, soon to be entering his freshman year of high school, recently shot an 85 at Conestoga Country Club, and as of Friday he made his high school golf team!
Dave, thank you for your contribution!
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The back nine can only get better!
This is a truly special golf relationship you have with Dave. You did not even mention the charity marathon the 2 of you did for years.