Having retired roughly a year ago, I thought it would be therapeutic to review my first year in Florida as a retiree.
Employment: Truth be told, I do not miss the work; the responsibilities or the commitment. I do not miss chasing the numbers, needing to continually increase revenues, continually control expenses and continually increase the bottom line. If there was ever a time I thought I was somewhat relevant in the workplace, retirement dispelled the notion!
Financial: There has not been one scenario in my entire life that has been more disconcerting than having to rely on Social Security/investments to sustain our existence for an undetermined period of time. Simply put, is it enough and will it last? The stock market, our political climate and international tensions can have things trending south pretty darn quick! I am certain things will become more comfortable in the months and years to come.
I am reminded of a visit with my parents, late in their lives, when my mother expressed concerns over their financial situation. My father (in his mid-80’s) calmly leaned back in his chair and said, and I quote, “What am I supposed to do, go to work at McDonalds!?”
Social: I was extremely fortunate to have lived and worked in south central Pennsylvania for my entire adult life. I was also fortunate to have an active social life, leveraging my relationships with neighbors, teammates, fellow basketball coaches, golfing buddies, business colleagues and my membership at the Lancaster Liederkranz. I was usually able to find someone in the above referenced categories to join me for a late afternoon beer!
Fifteen months ago, I left the comfort of my friend base and moved one-thousand miles south, without a single friend, other than my brother who lives two hours south for six months out of the year.
Somehow I thought it would be a bit easier, relying on my magnanimous personality, to find a regular golfing buddy or two and/or a regular drinking buddy or two. We have met a bunch of really nice people and we are certain many of our acquaintances will turn into meaningful relationships.
Brian E., a wise thirty-some-year friend recently shared the following thoughts on the subject, “It took you a lifetime to sort out your current friends, it will take a while to grow the things that you value in your garden.”
Choices: I discovered early on that not having anything to do each and every day along with my affinity for hops/barley could be problematic. I found employment at a local golf course, working in the Pro Shop, checking-in our patrons. After seven months, I transitioned to the Grounds Crew where I have tremendous flexibility with my schedule, I work outside, I work independently, I see the fruits of my labor and I have a 5:30 am start time.
What hasn’t changed from my full-time reasonably meaningful employment to my part-time employment is the personal pride that I take in my performance, regardless of the task or compensation. As the self-appointed Director of Short Course Beautification (DSCB) at World Woods Golf Club, I am motivated by making our tract more playable and more visually appealing.
Golf: Between practicing/playing, working an average of 24 hours a week at World Woods as well as attempting to keep Bad Golf Guy on life-support, a significant percentage of my life is consumed with what some may call the equivalent of an addiction!
I arrived full-time in Florida with thirteen year old clubs, a 10.6 Index and a horrific swing. With a new custom fit Ping Driver and Ping Three-Wood, new custom fit Callaway Apex irons as well as periodic professional instruction, my Index gravitated to 12.4!
My adventure began with Francis’s diagnosis (“The Diagnosis is In”) and his interest/passion to get my club in the right place. Desperately wanting to rewire forty years of bad habits, I went to work. I am fortunate to be able to play twelve months a year, I am fortunate to have ample time to practice and I am fortunate to be associated with instructors/friends who have been kind and very helpful.
All in all, there have been more setbacks than progress. I began my quest, attempting to take a shortcut, starting my swing with my club parallel to the ground (“Half-Cocked”). Recognizing the process might be a short-term fix and not a long-term solution, I then attempted to statically set my club behind the ball in a traditional manner. For months, I was unable to do so, needing to move my club with a pendulum type motion prior to starting my swing. I found myself completely paralyzed over the ball, unable to pull the trigger, having countless swing thoughts meandering through my noggin, all fighting for priority status!
The weeks following receipt of my new clubs, I was starting to make some real progress, carding a handful of rounds in the high seventies.
Having gained some long awaited confidence, I was excited for my fall golf trip to Pennsylvania/New Jersey, where I was scheduled to play eight rounds in seven days, including a nostalgic trip to Baltusrol Golf Club and a Three Day Member-Guest at the Country Club of York. The day before I was scheduled to leave, I visited the range for a final tune-up where things began to completely unravel. As hard as I tried (hitting two tubs full of balls), I was unable to get the ball in the air…and I mean, I was unable to get the ball in the air! Panic stricken, I headed north the following morning, feeling incredibly anxious. Having a free day prior my first round, I spent four stressed-out hours on the range, still, unable to really sort things out.
Long story short, I barely managed to get through the week, demoralized, tail between my legs; I headed south, back to the drawing board.
Somehow, amazingly, regardless of my countless setbacks, I am still in hot pursuit of certainty (“Seeking Certainty”), unable to believe that I am not capable of becoming a more consistent player. Unfortunately the sands of time are assembling predominantly in the bottom of my hourglass.
Summary: We now live in a beautiful part of the country with a desirable climate and numerous recreational opportunities. My brother is in reasonably close proximity for the first time in our adult lives. Our home is in a peaceful neighborhood with pleasant neighbors. I have not been bored for one moment. I do not miss full-time employment, I enjoy my part-time gig, we are slowly meeting new friends, we are making ends meet and my golf game is as inane as ever. All is right with the world!
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The back nine can only get better!
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