Jed,
Just look at how you and I met thanks to your friend at Piping Rock.
Golf is a wonderful pursuit and you meet some great people.
Not long ago I was having lunch with a friend of mine.
We had just played with "royalty" from the business world.
So, my friend says to me, "hey, look at us, two regular guys from Jersey and look at who we were having conversations with for the last four hours. If it wasn't for golf, they wouldn't care who we were, but, because we're decent players, they want to be in our company."
The unique thing about golf is that you can't buy a game, you can't take a short cut and fast track yourself into being a player.
It's in the dirt and between the ears.
I've met so many really terrific people playing golf.
I think the game shapes those who play it. It humbles them, teaches them ettiquette and provides a common ground for mutually interesting conversations.