Operation Ferris Wheel - The Magic of GCA.com

[Michael Blake]

While I could recount the round itself, it really makes no difference, as the series of jabs, stabs, swipes, chops and hacks were merely the half-seconds that were interwoven between the true “moments”—the walks between the holes, around the corners, over the rises and down into the valleys—the chats between the engaging host, the more experienced fellow players and the rookie, and the knowing chuckles when shots disappeared into the unknown, as the first-timer quickly met the fate of so many at Pine Valley, but loving the pain all the way around.

Yes, Pine Valley was, and will continue to be, all that one could have hoped for, and more---but the knowledge that friends are out there who are willing and excited to go through this effort is clearly the far greater experience…

Beautifully written Peter.

[Mike_Cirba]

Peter,

The value of the gift was only matched by your appreciation of it.

Thanks for sharing your experience and for letting all of us vicariously feel that exuberance of childlike wonder, knowing once again that despite our ages and our respective and individual batterings and trials at the sometimes cruel hands of real life, there is indeed Peter, a Santa Claus.

[Carl Nichols]

This is the only GCA thread I've ever described to my wife -- absolutely terrific stuff. 

[Matt Bosela]

The magic of GCA.com indeed.

Thank you for sharing the story Mike and thanks as well to the beneficiary Peter for your beautifully written response.

Stories like this just prove how wonderful the game of golf and those who play it can truly be.

Tremendous!

[Sean Leary]

Damn it Dr. Herreid. I thought I would have one course to hang over your head that I had played and you had not.

Well done guys.

[JC Jones]

Beautifully written.  I experienced the same feeling 2 years ago when I played Crystal Downs.  I cant wait for the next time I have it.  Congrats to you and, again, well done to those who made it happen.

[John Mayhugh]

Peter,
Congratulations on such a wonderful day and great friends.  Your post showed that they did exactly the right thing in making an experience like this possible.

All the best,

[Ben Sims]

Good evening, gents!

One of the most challenging things to hang onto as one ages is a sense of joyfulness and wonder, and the ability to be “amazed”.  It is somewhat of a conflict with our supposed senses of experience and knowledge, as wizened veterans of life.  Similarly, on this board at least, it is often felt or assumed that is a virtue to have seen much of what this game of golf has to offer in every different venue, in every different climate, in every different time frame, with every different technologic enhancement, from every different angle…

Sometimes, it might be better to be childlike…

We might all be different culturally, but I suspect that each of us has had, at some point, an experience of child-like wonderment.  For example, can there be many experiences to compare with the first time one sees the broad swaths of green grass at a real pro baseball stadium at a real Major League Baseball game, or the sense of marvel on a very first airplane ride!

Today, I was given the gift of joyful wonderment and an opportunity to reconnect with that sense of amazement…

With absolutely no advance notice, and from individuals motivated not by what other people could do for them, but by how they could bring surprise, joy and exhilaration to someone else, I was able to experience Pine Valley for the very first time.  For those of you expecting a photo essay or video capturing of some of these moments, I am afraid I will have to disappoint.  On the other hand, I might be preserving for you, as these folks did for me, the opportunity to be amazed and to truly experience something fascinating for the very first time.

I was as gullible, surprised, and shocked as I hope all of you will be when a “golf dream” comes true, no matter whether it comes at a particular place, or with a particular accomplishment, or at a particular time in your life—my wish for all of you is that there is still something out there in golf or some other area of your life which has the capacity to truly amaze and surprise you…

While I could recount the round itself, it really makes no difference, as the series of jabs, stabs, swipes, chops and hacks were merely the half-seconds that were interwoven between the true “moments”—the walks between the holes, around the corners, over the rises and down into the valleys—the chats between the engaging host, the more experienced fellow players and the rookie, and the knowing chuckles when shots disappeared into the unknown, as the first-timer quickly met the fate of so many at Pine Valley, but loving the pain all the way around.

In my line of work, I am often confronted by people and situations at often the most stressful and trying of times, and all too often with the knowledge that outcomes cannot always be as hopeful, positive and joyous as we all would like.

We all have various motivations for the pursuit of this passion we share, and to think that we can accurately comment on and perhaps criticize each other’s motives is both impossible and unwise.  I feel that far too often in this forum we seek out the negative in each other or in someone else as a way to elevate ourselves to a higher place than we might otherwise deserve.  It is disappointing to know that there are posts implying, directly or indirectly, that there might be joy in the misfortune of others—course closures, tough economic decisions, questionable maintenance practices, the parenting of the Wies and others, etc…  We all lose out, individually and collectively, when we let those forces push us away from what is fun, and joyous, about this pursuit…

When occasions such as today arise, it brings out the very best in the game that we all love, or purport to love—the camaraderie, the joy of seeing someone else succeed or be elated, the element of surprise (which we often cherish in architecture), the friendship, the interaction with one’s surroundings—all of which came without a sense of entitlement or expectation of any return.

Today, as I rush steadily toward age 50, with all the presumed burdens of advanced adulthood and expectations, I was given the best gift of all—the chance to be a child again, at perhaps the greatest swath of green grass (and pine trees, and scrub, and waste, and sand and air) and “major League ballpark” that golf has to offer.

For that I will be eternally and graciously grateful to those who participated in creating this opportunity.  In return I can offer only the pledge that I will try never to lose (completely!) that childlike sense of wonder and amazement, and that I can continue to look for ways to foster that spirit in others…

Yes, Pine Valley was, and will continue to be, all that one could have hoped for, and more---but the knowledge that friends are out there who are willing and excited to go through this effort is clearly the far greater experience..

....and the congregation said, AMEN. 

Peter, thank you so much for sharing this with us. Thanks to those who made it possible.  It was simply, the most cathartic and sublime piece of writing I've encountered of 5 years of lurking and the last month as a new member.  From someone who recently was given a golf experience like yours today, I can say that the only thing better in life than having the childlike sublime moments, is helping others in your world to experience that same sense of wonder.  Days like today touch our souls, and remind us that we are all connected as humans in this great experience of life.  Well done gentlemen.

[Adam Clayman]

Great Feat!

Getting the sleep needed for the wonderment could never happen if anticipated.

[Andy Troeger]

Wonderful story and and an even better response. Thanks for sharing.

[Matt_Ward]

And Peter missed Pine Hill for PV.

I'm shocked at such a trade-off !

Great story !!!

[ed_getka]

Great story and an even better response. What an amazing group of people we associate with here.

[PThomas]

even better than the bunny at Pebble Peter!

a great great story...kudos to all who "pulled it off"

[Bob Jenkins]

Since becoming a part of this discussion group a few years ago, I have often tried to explain to my wife and others just why I love spending time on this site. This thread is just so typical of the great moments that many of us have experienced due to the generosity of many members of this group who have made friends here and have come to share great experiences such as that which Peter had today. Many of us have dreamed about his day today!

I have been fortunate enough to make friends from all over the U.S., Many parts of Canada, from Scotland, Austrailia and elsewhere who I would never have met before. I have welcomed some of you into our house and hope to do so for many more. Thank you, Ran.

This was a great story and I and many others would love to sit down with Peter and go over his day. I suspect we will some day.

[Bill Boonn]

What a truly wonderful story!  I'm a long time lurker, but a first time poster.  GCA is quite an exceptional community of golfers (and friends)...

[Jon Spaulding]

This is one of the best stories I have read on this website. Kudos to Mike "Cougar-Killer" Sweeney for bringing the background to life and Peter for the inspiring narrative.

It makes me wonder if things such as this, the Pizza man, the Pebble Rabbit, ______.....might be set aside somehow into a book, a separate section of the website, to highlight them in perpetuity!

[Dan Herrmann]

Peter - wonderfully inspiring writing.  Thanks for sharing.

[Evan Fleisher]

John,

  I remember the rabbit story but didn't realize until now that it was Peter.  Between that and PV, we'll have plenty to talk about at dinner at Ballyneal in a few weeks.

  Good stuff.

  Jim

Exactly!  Can't wait to re-live these stories in a few weeks!

[Evan Fleisher]

I can only imagine the look on Dr. Herreid's face when he passed into the sanctum sanctorum. Maybe like Ralphie getting his Red Ryder BB gun on Christmas morning to the nth degree. It's just one of the nicest things you could possibly imagine doing for a golf crony. Bravo Dan Taylor. Bravo Mike Sweeney for the killer setup and for hosting a fantastic day of golf.

Hopefully, he didn't shoot his eye out. 

[Garland Bayley]

Wonderful story and and an even better response. Thanks for sharing.

I have to agree with Andy! However, aren't there too many ponds at Pine Valley? 

[Tom Huckaby]

Peter:  I do not have the words for how great your post here is.  I just don't.  I have tried seven drafts now and none are adequate.  I just have to say THANK YOU for putting into words what the experience of playing a "dream course" can be.  As the recipient of such things myself, I have often tried to express the meaning, always failed.  From now on, I will just refer people to your post.

Sweeney, you have always been a giant among men to me,  but well... this is above and beyond.

And I am with "Slate" Spaulding... posts like these have the makings for a hell of a book.

[Jim Colton]

In related news, I'm going to be in Philly on Thurs June 11th.

[Richard Choi]

In related news, I'm going to be in Philly on Thurs June 11th.

Do you believe the triangle piece of property was bought by Merion before 1910 or after 1910?

[Dan Herrmann]

Peter,
How much swag did you get at the pro shop?  What's cool about PV is that you can't just visit and buy what you'd like (which is the case almost anywhere else).   

And I said it before - I LOVE your essay.  It's really fantastic, and (let me be me) life-affirming.

[Ash Towe]

One of the best and best written topics for a while.  Congratulations to all concerned.