Gib's best restoration

[Dan Kelly]

Mr. Papazian has written a very fine column this week.

I encourage you to read it, and heed it, at http://www.sanmateocountytimes.com/Stories/0,1413,87%257E11304%257E1187387,00.html

[THuckaby2]

We shall see how the Armenian's process is coming along come March....

But that is a fine column for sure.  Funny how many of us have gone through this - various life occurrences cause us to give up the game, for some period.  Funny also how nearly everyone comes back.  I know I've had two very serious absences from the game myself... and Gib is most definitely right - the game is always there for us when we return.

TH

[A_Clay_Man]

Glad to see him so healthy. Just sitting down to write that must've been cathartic. And writting about what you know is always wise.

A wonderful example of the elastiscity that golf provides. Different strokes and all.

See you smile'in sooner rather later, bratha.

[ForkaB]

Good job in posting that, Dan.  I would highly recommend Gib's column to anybody interested in golf.

[THuckaby2]

Good job in posting that, Dan.  I would highly recommend Gib's column to anybody interested in golf.

100% concurrence here.  It is mandatory weekly reading most definitely.

TH

[RJ_Daley]

Gib states

...Everyone leaves the game at one point or another in their lives...

Yeah Gib, like every winter!!!

What Gib experiences once in a while as giving up the game and experiencing 'restoration' is like us snow belt folk experiencing 'renewal' every spring.  How long is the longest you have been away from the game Gib?  I'd be surprised if in your last 10 years of playing, if there were a period of more than 3-4 months.  Last year was a great re-awakening for me, since the Barona gathering was my first rounds after the long winter, and being with like spirited individuals was a special way to come back alive.  I sure wish I could renew that way again this year at the King's Putter. :-/

But, I couldn't agree more with Gib's sentiments about renewal and restoration of the spirit we find in the game, and how to go about re-aquainting ourselves with that which has taken up residence somewhere deep down inside us, even if it hibernates from time to time, or every winter.

So Dan Kelly, when are you coming out of the den?

[Dan Kelly]

So Dan Kelly, when are you coming out of the den?

As soon as the boulder at the mouth can be moved. It's frozen solid there right now.

I had the same feeling as I read Gib's piece: He's talking about winter!

I'm not quite there yet this winter, but I can traditionally tell that the renewal time is (or had damned well better be) close at hand when I start yelling at the ice on the streets: "Melt, you bastard!"

I kid you not.

[RJ_Daley]

Dan, that boulder in front of my den blocking my escape to Nor Cal is named Jo Ann, and if I move her to escape without her, she will be frozen!!!  :-/

[Dan Kelly]

Dan, that boulder in front of my den blocking my escape to Nor Cal is named Jo Ann, and if I move her to escape without her, she will be frozen!!!  :-/

And if she gets frozen, we all know who (and/or what) gets burned.

[Gib_Papazian]

Dick,
To answer your your question, the longest was 11 months due to a serious back injury. I ended up having to invent a swing that would not exacerbate the condition. The result is the frenetic chop you see today. Twitch . . . . twitch.

Truth be told, this column was not really about golf. . . . . . but that is another story entirely. Unlike disciplined writers like Geoff or Brad, I must admit they rarely are. . . .    

[Dan Kelly]

Truth be told, this column was not really about golf. . . . . .

Then you should write about not-golf more often.