Willi Zodet

I was thinking about my friend the other day on his birthday, reminiscing about the origin of our relationship. The story makes me smile!

As a relatively new member of the Lancaster Liederkranz (a German social club in Lancaster, PA), I was anxious to make new friends and begin to embrace the organizations fraternal spirit.

The Monday/Friday afternoon bartender was Willi Zodet.  Willi; born in Germany, served in its military, found his way to the United States, traveled the country in a new Ford Mustang, settled in Lancaster, PA, where he was known as the best tailor in our area and beyond.

Willi was a tough nut to crack.  His demeanor was best described as stoic and somewhat distant; not endearing characteristics for a bartender who is compensated solely on gratuities from his patrons!  As hard as I tried, I just wasn’t able to make a connection.

One mid-summer afternoon, I stopped at the Club for a few Spaten’s (Spaten-Franziskaner-Brau Brewery, Munich, Germany, founded in 1397), having just completed my round at Conestoga Country Club.  Dressed in my golfing garb, I sat in the middle of the horse-shoe shaped bar, immediately left of the center pillar.  

Having delivered my first cold Spaten, Willi stepped back, paused, looked me over for a moment and asked the following question; “Do you play golf?”  Pleased for the interaction, I enthusiastically responded that I do.  He followed his initial question with another; “Are you any good?” I responded; “No, not really, I am (was) a 10.3 Index.”  Willi then replied; “No, that’s really good! Would you like to play in my foursome in the Lancaster Liederkranz Golf Tournament, its $75?”  Without hesitation, I immediately pushed my stool away from the bar, sprinted to my car, grabbed my checkbook and stroked a check, delivering said check to Willi in under three minutes flat.

Weeks later, we assembled at Four Seasons Golf Course in Landisville, PA as a full field of Liederkranz members and friends prepared for marginal golf, a ton of laughs and the traditional post-round dinner/celebration at our Club’s pavilion.

I was pleased to be assigned to Willi’s cart as Steve and Jim filled out our foursome. We started the shotgun/scramble format on a 325-yard par-four, where my tee ball found its way into the fairway, the best of the bunch.  My approach shot, nestled to within twelve feet, also the best of the bunch.

Our second hole was a 150-yard par-three where my tee ball was the only ball to find the putting surface.  Our third hole was a lengthy par-four in excess of 400-yards.  My tee ball was in perfect shape, some 185-yards out. My four-iron approach shot landed safely on the green, in close proximity to the pin.

Recap:  Over a three-hole stretch, other than our putts, every one of my shots was used by our team in the scramble format. As I recall, Willi was downright giddy, believing a tournament victory was clearly on the horizon.

Prior to striking our tee balls on our fourth hole, we were chased off the property by a significant rain storm, however the traditional steak and corn on the cob dinner went on as planned. During our time together at our Club’s pavilion, Willi was not shy about sharing my three-hole performance, believing he had recruited the second coming of Bernhard Langer! Our relationship began to blossom.

Well, lo and behold, the rescheduled Tournament rolled around and our foursome was raring to go.  Willi was licking his chops, anticipating the early evening Awards Ceremony; being called to the podium by Jack Holman, followed by a standing ovation from his fellow Club members as he simultaneously hoisted a white envelop stuffed with cash high above his head.  

My playing partners performed admirably while the second coming of Bernhard Langer, the “A” Player, the Best Player in the Club, proceeded to chop it up and down Four Seasons fairways all afternoon long, barely making a contribution. The atmosphere in our cart wasn’t dissimilar to a blind date going very, very badly. Willi’s hopes and dreams were dashed.  The only positive thing Willi could possibly say about his cart mate was that his check hadn’t bounced!

It was a disappointing day from a playing perspective and unfortunately there were many disappointing Liederkranz Golf Tournament’s to follow, as Willi was always kind enough to invite me back year after year.  Truth be told, we always had a blast; hanging out with Jim and Steve, drinking a few beers and marveling at our inadequacies. 

As the years passed and our friendship grew, I would routinely greet Willi behind the bar with a big hug. My public display of affection was amusingly uncomfortable for Willi.  I miss those days and I truly miss my friend!

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