The account of my most exciting moment in golf, is as much a testimony to the perserverance of rehabilitation, as it is a Golfing Success story. For me, an accomplished 30-plus-year veteran instructor, and martial arts adept, (Sensei), who for the past five years has been in the struggle of the long road back from a debilitating stroke --- this golfing triumph speaks volumes about the road to recovery.
Golf has been for me, a sure fire way to measure the progress of rehabilitation. You can easily tell how far you've come, by how well you are able to play the game. To those that don't play, that may seem like a curious statement at first. Certainly, in my case, considering my formidable martial arts background - pre stroke. For, today I still teach a full compliment of martial arts classes in my school. And, there are many, many opportunities for me to test my "return to form" within the context of what I can and still have difficulty doing in Karate, Aikido, and Jiujitsu.
However, I suffered a stroke at age 52. It was a hemoragic stroke in the area of my brain that controls motor skill function - my cerebellum. Mentally I was not affected, however, I did lose muscle control. On an athletic level, before the stroke, I could perform in martial arts as effectively as I could at age 22 --- which was frankly - impressive. Now, I'm at age 56. The stroke has, in addition to compromising my more athletic skills, has made me act -- a bit more my age -- so to speak.
Nevertheless, this game of golf doesn't require running, jumping, and athleticism of the kind that depends on youthful speed and dexterity. On the other hand, it certainly requires a blending of refined focus, balance, felxibility, and mental and muscular control. Most athletes will agree that it is likely the toughest game they've ever tried to master. And I was getting along pretty good at it, before I became ill. While I'm no pro - the golfers will appreciate that prior to my stroke in October of 2002, I was shooting scores in the low 90's, which is beyond beginner and enough to make you feel good about your chances for improving. I could drive the ball about 230 to 250 yards, was better than that around the greens, and kept the 3 putts to perhaps once or twice a round.
In year one following the stroke I had trouble standing still over putts. I'd lose my balance to the point of getting dizzy in the golf swing. I still have trouble seeing the ball after I hit it - as the ability to "track" the flight of the ball is a visual motor skill that my eyes don't have fully back yet. By year two following the stroke I could swing without getting too dizzy, but I still lost four out of five shots out of 10 when the ball was struck, and I was pretty shaky still. Frankly, it wasn't until four years later that I finally began to feel better about being able to control my swing mechanics. And then:
Dateline: Tuesday, May 15th at about 3:15 p.m. Sensei Alan was standing on the 5th Tee at the Scotch Hills Country Club. It was a par 4 - measuring approximately 230 yards from the yardage marker, with the green situated atop a steep incline. The tee box is also elevated making the challenge of the hole to hit from hill top to hill top. However, on this day the Tees were located at the top-right most area of the tee box, making the actual distance about 200 yards.
Sensei actually took a mighty swing - (trying to knock the cover off the ball) - and ended up hitting air! That's right - his whiffed it on the first try. That drew an immediate ranking from his playing partner --- (that's right - I had a witness!!!).
Undaunted, the Sensei steped away from the tee - had a little talk with himself about slowing down the swing - and stepped back up to take another cut. His easy swing on the next attempt was rewarded with a crisp ping and a pop on the golf ball -- which launched off in the direction of the green.
The ball landed a short distance off the green, took a forward hop and rolled up on top. Sensei was elated to find that he'd drove the green on the tee shot. But, when he arrived there to see the lie, he found the ball was no where in sight. Figuring that he'd rolled off the back of the green, into the waiting trap, he set himself to getting up and down for a Birdie - 3.
"Look in the cup" - said his playing partner --- who just happened to be a guy named "Moses!"
He did and there was the ball Sensei had struck just minutes earlier!!! WOW - simply doesn't describe the sound the ole Sensei made upon seeing that ball!!!!
The Lesson: Rehabilitation is important mostly as a way of reclaiming self control, self determination, and a sharpening of the will to be more than what fate has wrought. Giving up is acquiesces to what is --- but if you want more for you -- than you must be willing to do more for you. There are no guarantees. Would that there were. But, I don't believe that's what it's all about. The "true" guarantee is that; in the doing is the declaration to "BE" more than what is --- if you simply choose to not give up! Never give up! Your resovle is the reward.
Everything else is a bonus!
Signed:
Grand Master Alan Simms
9th Degree Black Belt Goshi Shun Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Aikijutsu
Golden Life Achievement Award - World Christian Martial Arts Hall of Fame
Save The Children- Black Belt Hall of Fame
International Association of Martial Artist - Black Belt Hall of Fame
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