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Sunday Night,
MaryHelen Swanson, editor

Tiger Woods did not come out on top of the PGA contest last weekend, but I have to admit, I watch him play both Saturday and Sunday. It really was not so much just him as the game, one that I have only recently determined to be interesting and fun.
Formerly I thought the sport was rather silly. Grown people walking around with little clubs in their hands banging away at tiny white balls. How hard can that be, I said, and why such a fuss over the game?
It was one year ago that I swung my first club at the second annual North Branch Chamber Golf Classic. I didnít do well, but I learned respect for the game and even that I might like it if I could get the hang of it. Intent on pursuing a new pastime, I purchased some used clubs - not matching - but good ones. And even a bag. Hubby found one of those bag carts at a garage sale, my son-in-law completed my golf set with a brand new putter and Santa brought me some balls and tees. I was ready for the first green grass of spring. I even convinced my grandsons I was going to share this sport with them. I thought it would be good bonding time. They both love to golf.
April melted the snow, May made the grass grow. June came and went, July was way too hot, and suddenly it was August. Two weeks into the month I realized with dread that I had to golf on the 15th. Panic set in - I had not even practiced putting in my backyard.
There were major butterflies in my stomach last Thursday as I stepped up to take my first swing at my beautiful brand new ball.
Why, oh why didnít I at least practice driving at some point in the previous year?
Well, I didnít do very well this year either, but I did win the prize for the longest putt and on the 8th hole I sailed my ball right into the flag pin. I didnít lose any balls either. And again, the joy of this new sport was renewed in my heart.
My inspiration throughout the afternoon was thinking about Tiger Woods who was playing in Chaska at the exact same time. I kept saying to myself as I raised my irons, ìTiger Woods, Tiger Woods.î However silly, it got me through the nine holes.
For what itís worth, Tiger Woods, youíre still tops with me.

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