I met with a true rainmaker on Friday, and was happily reminded of these famous and powerful words by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
“Until one is committed, there is always hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help that would never have otherwise occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising to one's favor all manner of unforeseen accidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.”
This prompted me to do a quick web search for other nuggets from this 18th century poet, novelist, playwright and philosopher.
“For a contented life:
Health enough to make work a pleasure.
Wealth enough to support your needs.
Strength to battle with difficulties and overcome them.
Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them.
Patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished.
Charity enough to see some good in your neighbor.
Love enough to move you to be useful and helpful to others.
Faith enough to make real the things of God.
Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning your future.”
“Nothing shows our character more than what we laugh at.”
“We must not hope to be mowers,
And to gather the ripe gold ears,
Unless we have first been sowers
And watered the furrows with tears.
It is not just as we take it,
This mystical world of ours,
Life's field will yield as we make it
A harvest of thorns or of flowers.”
“They are happiest, be they king or peasant, who find peace in their home.”
“Many people take no care of their money till they come nearly to the end of it,
and others do just the same with their time.”
“Treat people as if they were what they should be,
and you help them become what they are capable of becoming.”
I sourced these quotes from a single web site (www.livinglifefully.com).
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Adoption
A friend asked me recently why I haven’t blogged a lot about the center – Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo – lately. The answer is fairly straightforward. I simply can’t. The things we’re working on right now, the current day-to-day tasks, are simply not for public consumption.
From the very beginnings of this blog I’ve strived to very open and forthright. But there will be times, and this is just such a time, when I must be a little quiet about the daily activities within our business.
I look forward to a time, soon, when I’ll be able to blog more freely about the daily triumphs and opportunities.
I spoke to my parents this evening. They live approximately 200 kms away, so there are more phone calls than face to face visits. And Sunday evenings seems to be their preferred time for a chat.
They told me that one of my distant cousins had passed away. At one point, last spring, she thought she had Celiac Disease. My eldest thrives with Celiac Disease, so she called me to ask a few questions. I hadn’t spoken to her much and did my best to help. She didn’t have Celiac.
The funeral is Tuesday, with visitation on Monday afternoon and evening.
The call, as well as other recent conversations, lead me to think about family. I entered the Southern family via an adoption. My parents adopted me when I was an infant.
There are times when my connection to the Southern family seems tenuous. You see, we’re not a close family by any stretch of the imagination. For the most part each set of siblings and parents seem to get along. But when the family stretches out to cousins, there seem to be little fiefdoms, age-old quarrels and misunderstandings.
My parents do their best to stay in touch with most of their cousins, and thus I get updates and, to some extent, stay in touch with many of my cousins also. But what happens when my parents move on from this life? My connection is via them.
I wonder if, when my parents have moved on, I will feel somewhat family-less. And I wonder what that might feel like.
It seems to me, for parents of sons and daughters who’ve been adopted, and I chose those words very carefully, it seems to me that it’s vitally important that those parents ensure that their sons and daughters build strong relationships with their extended family, with their cousins and aunts and uncles. Those sons and daughters will benefit from those relationships when their parents leave this life.
As for choosing those words carefully, as a son that was adopted, I firmly believe that terms like “adoptive parent” and “adopted children” are both inaccurate and hurtful. Adoption is an act, not a label and certainly not an adjective. Parents that adopt are not “adoptive parents.” They’re parents. Sons and daughters that have entered a family via an adoption are not “adopted sons” or “adopted daughters.” They’re sons and they’re daughters. Every child should know the comfort and security of having a “mom,” not an “adoptive mom,” and a “dad,” not an “adoptive dad.”
Somewhere out there, for each child that has experienced and adoption, there may be a “birth mom” and a “birth dad.” That’s fine. But with the child on a daily basis, doing all of the mom things and all of the dad things, is simply a “mom” and a “dad.” It must be that simple.
From the very beginnings of this blog I’ve strived to very open and forthright. But there will be times, and this is just such a time, when I must be a little quiet about the daily activities within our business.
I look forward to a time, soon, when I’ll be able to blog more freely about the daily triumphs and opportunities.
I spoke to my parents this evening. They live approximately 200 kms away, so there are more phone calls than face to face visits. And Sunday evenings seems to be their preferred time for a chat.
They told me that one of my distant cousins had passed away. At one point, last spring, she thought she had Celiac Disease. My eldest thrives with Celiac Disease, so she called me to ask a few questions. I hadn’t spoken to her much and did my best to help. She didn’t have Celiac.
The funeral is Tuesday, with visitation on Monday afternoon and evening.
The call, as well as other recent conversations, lead me to think about family. I entered the Southern family via an adoption. My parents adopted me when I was an infant.
There are times when my connection to the Southern family seems tenuous. You see, we’re not a close family by any stretch of the imagination. For the most part each set of siblings and parents seem to get along. But when the family stretches out to cousins, there seem to be little fiefdoms, age-old quarrels and misunderstandings.
My parents do their best to stay in touch with most of their cousins, and thus I get updates and, to some extent, stay in touch with many of my cousins also. But what happens when my parents move on from this life? My connection is via them.
I wonder if, when my parents have moved on, I will feel somewhat family-less. And I wonder what that might feel like.
It seems to me, for parents of sons and daughters who’ve been adopted, and I chose those words very carefully, it seems to me that it’s vitally important that those parents ensure that their sons and daughters build strong relationships with their extended family, with their cousins and aunts and uncles. Those sons and daughters will benefit from those relationships when their parents leave this life.
As for choosing those words carefully, as a son that was adopted, I firmly believe that terms like “adoptive parent” and “adopted children” are both inaccurate and hurtful. Adoption is an act, not a label and certainly not an adjective. Parents that adopt are not “adoptive parents.” They’re parents. Sons and daughters that have entered a family via an adoption are not “adopted sons” or “adopted daughters.” They’re sons and they’re daughters. Every child should know the comfort and security of having a “mom,” not an “adoptive mom,” and a “dad,” not an “adoptive dad.”
Somewhere out there, for each child that has experienced and adoption, there may be a “birth mom” and a “birth dad.” That’s fine. But with the child on a daily basis, doing all of the mom things and all of the dad things, is simply a “mom” and a “dad.” It must be that simple.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Golf More Difficult To "Master"?
The average PGA major champion won at age 31.3, having played golf, and no doubt worked at the sport for approximately 23 years. For the LPGA the numbers are age 25.5 and approximately 16.5 years of playing, training, practicing, etc.
Of course, when describing a major champion on the LPGA or PGA tour the term "average" seems ridiculous. We're talking about average ages, not average golfers!
As reported in the September 2007 issue of the RCGA's Golf Canada (p. 34), the U.S. Olympian's Association studied "all sports" between 1984 and 1998. They found it "took athletes an average of 10 years of specific sport training to reach an international level of competitiveness."
The PGA of America then looked specifically at golf, as far back as the Bobby Jones era.
Ten years ("all sports") versus 16.5 years (female golfers) and 23 years (male golfers). Wow!
On the surface this data would seem to suggest that mastery of golf is more challenging, or simply takes much longer than mastery of other sports. The industry may choose to look inward and question teaching methods, training, coaching, etc. Golf could take this data and initiate a revolution, assuming we must usher along talented players with more urgency and proficiency. We must reduce the TTM (Time To Major)!
I'm not convinced.
I suspect the two studies have used dramatically different yard sticks. Having not read the studies, there's certainly some conjecture herein. The Olympian study apparently speaks of reaching an "international elite level of competitiveness" while the PGA study focuses on major champions.
Those are two differing measures. A golfer can compete at an "international elite level" for his/her entire career and never win a major. The media loves to pass along the label of the "current best player to never win a major." A few years ago some experts wondered if Phil Mickelson would ever hoist a major trophy. None ever questioned his status as an "international elite" golfer!
The devil, as they say, lies in the details. How did the Olympian study actually measure this "international elite level" in each sport? And how does that compare with winning an LPGA or PGA major?
I've searched for the U.S. Olympian's Association study but have not found it.
In the meantime, we at Parmasters will continue to teach our clients how to hit the ball straight, guaranteed. Perhaps we'll have to wait some 16 or 23 years before one of our Straight-Line(TM) golfers wins a major.
I suspect the wait will be much shorter!
Of course, when describing a major champion on the LPGA or PGA tour the term "average" seems ridiculous. We're talking about average ages, not average golfers!
As reported in the September 2007 issue of the RCGA's Golf Canada (p. 34), the U.S. Olympian's Association studied "all sports" between 1984 and 1998. They found it "took athletes an average of 10 years of specific sport training to reach an international level of competitiveness."
The PGA of America then looked specifically at golf, as far back as the Bobby Jones era.
Ten years ("all sports") versus 16.5 years (female golfers) and 23 years (male golfers). Wow!
On the surface this data would seem to suggest that mastery of golf is more challenging, or simply takes much longer than mastery of other sports. The industry may choose to look inward and question teaching methods, training, coaching, etc. Golf could take this data and initiate a revolution, assuming we must usher along talented players with more urgency and proficiency. We must reduce the TTM (Time To Major)!
I'm not convinced.
I suspect the two studies have used dramatically different yard sticks. Having not read the studies, there's certainly some conjecture herein. The Olympian study apparently speaks of reaching an "international elite level of competitiveness" while the PGA study focuses on major champions.
Those are two differing measures. A golfer can compete at an "international elite level" for his/her entire career and never win a major. The media loves to pass along the label of the "current best player to never win a major." A few years ago some experts wondered if Phil Mickelson would ever hoist a major trophy. None ever questioned his status as an "international elite" golfer!
The devil, as they say, lies in the details. How did the Olympian study actually measure this "international elite level" in each sport? And how does that compare with winning an LPGA or PGA major?
I've searched for the U.S. Olympian's Association study but have not found it.
In the meantime, we at Parmasters will continue to teach our clients how to hit the ball straight, guaranteed. Perhaps we'll have to wait some 16 or 23 years before one of our Straight-Line(TM) golfers wins a major.
I suspect the wait will be much shorter!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Golf in Verse
I found these to be quite enjoyable. Hopefully you will as well. I found them at Pasturegolf.com.
I've tried all the tips and received much instruction.
It didn't help at all so I used deduction.
I figured it out, the thing my game lacks.
I'll never be a pro cause I can't stand the slacks.
- John Prince
Some golfers blast their ball from traps
With one adroit explosion,
But others, out in ten perhaps,
Depend upon erosion.
- Richard Armour, Golf is a Four-Letter Word (1962)
Some golfers lie awake at night
And brood on what went wrong;
I'd rather think of what went right.
It doesn't take as long.
- Dick Emmons
When hitting wedge shots, I've a flair
That's turning my hair gray;
They stop, I swear, right next to where
The pin was...yesterday.
- Dick Emmons
I sank a long and curling putt,
It's like I've seldom seen;
It would have helped my scoring but,
'Twas on the practice green.
-Richard Armour, Golf is a Four-Letter Word
If only I kept my eye on the ball,
Looking downward as does the pro there,
I might not see where it was going, at all,
But there might be a chance it would go there.
- Richard Armour, Golf is a Four-Letter Word
And thus, with self-deception bland,
We mourn the fours that should have been,
Forgetting, on the other hand,
The luck that helped us through the green;
Calmly accepting as our due
The four-hole which we fluked in two.
- Thomas Risk, The Lyric of the Links
I've tried all the tips and received much instruction.
It didn't help at all so I used deduction.
I figured it out, the thing my game lacks.
I'll never be a pro cause I can't stand the slacks.
- John Prince
Some golfers blast their ball from traps
With one adroit explosion,
But others, out in ten perhaps,
Depend upon erosion.
- Richard Armour, Golf is a Four-Letter Word (1962)
Some golfers lie awake at night
And brood on what went wrong;
I'd rather think of what went right.
It doesn't take as long.
- Dick Emmons
When hitting wedge shots, I've a flair
That's turning my hair gray;
They stop, I swear, right next to where
The pin was...yesterday.
- Dick Emmons
I sank a long and curling putt,
It's like I've seldom seen;
It would have helped my scoring but,
'Twas on the practice green.
-Richard Armour, Golf is a Four-Letter Word
If only I kept my eye on the ball,
Looking downward as does the pro there,
I might not see where it was going, at all,
But there might be a chance it would go there.
- Richard Armour, Golf is a Four-Letter Word
And thus, with self-deception bland,
We mourn the fours that should have been,
Forgetting, on the other hand,
The luck that helped us through the green;
Calmly accepting as our due
The four-hole which we fluked in two.
- Thomas Risk, The Lyric of the Links
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Arson in Cannington, Ontario
My home town, Cannington, Ontario, awoke this past Sunday morning to some tragic news. Two churches were on fire, along with a few automobiles.
Cannington is a small town, with a population hovering around 1,000. I've joked that there are only 999 since I left in 1985. Everyone knows everyone. As I told a close friend recently, I estimate that I have a memory of some sort attached to at least two-thirds of the homes in town.
There are, or were, four churches in Cannington, all Christian: United, Baptist, Anglican and Presbyterian.
The Presbyterian church was destroyed. The United church, my childhood church, suffered significant damage in the lower level.
Of course, I'm using the term "church" rather loosely to signify "church building." "Church" more accurately signifies the people, the members. Happily, in that sense, the "churches", the people, were not harmed.
Of course, arson is suspected. A local 17 year old male has been charged.
You can learn more about this tragedy within the news articles below. I've included the full text of one article and links to others. (My apologies as these links will no doubt go stale quickly.)
- 680 News
- A-Channel News (video)
- CTV News
- Toronto Sun
- Blog entry by a local citizen
Youth charged in rash of Cannington fires
(From newsdurhamregion.com.)
Tue Oct 09, 2007
By: By Jeff Hayward
CANNINGTON -- A 17-year-old Cannington boy is facing 15 charges in connection with $4 million in arson damages, including a fire that destroyed a historic church early Sunday morning.
Durham Regional Police responded to multiple calls in the Laidlaw Street area in Cannington on Sunday, Oct. 7, starting at approximately 4 a.m. Officers arrived to find four vehicles on fire, and shortly after were alerted about a fire at Trinity United Church. Within the hour, another vehicle was set on fire along with the Knox Presbyterian Church, according to police.
Shortly after, officers assisted by the canine unit tracked a suspect to a nearby home and arrested the youth, according to police. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named under the Youth Justice Act, is charged with two counts of break, enter and commit-arson, seven counts of arson, five counts of mischief and a charge of breach of recognizance.
The damage to the Presbyterian church, a 144-year-old building, required the structure to be taken down. Demolition crews were on scene Tuesday morning to start the process, which Brock firefighters said could take days.
Lay Pastor Judy Hein was there to witness the remainder of her church being destroyed.
"This is people's lives and memories," she said of the church. She said she will have to meet with the church congregation to determine where services will be held in the near future, noting other churches in the area have been supportive. "It's going to take weeks to sort out."
Ms. Hein smiled with the fact furniture inside, including pews over 100 years old, were salvaged relatively undamaged.
Also watching the church come down was Stewart Arksey, who said he has lived in Cannington all his life. "I've never seen anything like this," he said of the fire.
Meanwhile, the Presbyterian community wasn't without a meeting place on the long Thanksgiving weekend. Cannington residents Doreen and Grant Oliver, also witnessing the demolition, invited 23 members of the church into their home.
Ms. Hein, who became emotional for a short time as she watched crews prepare to bring down the old building, explained the church had recently been renovated inside. She said she received a call Sunday at about 4 a.m. from the Office of the Fire Marshal, and firefighters returned to the site again in the afternoon to battle "hot spots" in the building.
Firefighters on scene did not say if the Trinity United Church, two blocks from Knox Presbyterian, will face a similar fate. But a drive-by of the building revealed minimal visible exterior damage. The Sunday service of the United Church was moved to the Cannington Lions' Hall, said Ms. Hein.
Police are pegging the collective damage from the blazes at $4 million. No injuries were reported.
A police command post has been set up on the site of the Knox Presbyterian Church at the corner of Cameron Street and Peace Street in Cannington. Anyone with information about the fire can visit that location or contact Det. Sgt. Herb Curwain at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2674. Anonymous tips can be made to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
Cannington is a small town, with a population hovering around 1,000. I've joked that there are only 999 since I left in 1985. Everyone knows everyone. As I told a close friend recently, I estimate that I have a memory of some sort attached to at least two-thirds of the homes in town.
There are, or were, four churches in Cannington, all Christian: United, Baptist, Anglican and Presbyterian.
The Presbyterian church was destroyed. The United church, my childhood church, suffered significant damage in the lower level.
Of course, I'm using the term "church" rather loosely to signify "church building." "Church" more accurately signifies the people, the members. Happily, in that sense, the "churches", the people, were not harmed.
Of course, arson is suspected. A local 17 year old male has been charged.
You can learn more about this tragedy within the news articles below. I've included the full text of one article and links to others. (My apologies as these links will no doubt go stale quickly.)
- 680 News
- A-Channel News (video)
- CTV News
- Toronto Sun
- Blog entry by a local citizen
Youth charged in rash of Cannington fires
(From newsdurhamregion.com.)
Tue Oct 09, 2007
By: By Jeff Hayward
CANNINGTON -- A 17-year-old Cannington boy is facing 15 charges in connection with $4 million in arson damages, including a fire that destroyed a historic church early Sunday morning.
Durham Regional Police responded to multiple calls in the Laidlaw Street area in Cannington on Sunday, Oct. 7, starting at approximately 4 a.m. Officers arrived to find four vehicles on fire, and shortly after were alerted about a fire at Trinity United Church. Within the hour, another vehicle was set on fire along with the Knox Presbyterian Church, according to police.
Shortly after, officers assisted by the canine unit tracked a suspect to a nearby home and arrested the youth, according to police. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named under the Youth Justice Act, is charged with two counts of break, enter and commit-arson, seven counts of arson, five counts of mischief and a charge of breach of recognizance.
The damage to the Presbyterian church, a 144-year-old building, required the structure to be taken down. Demolition crews were on scene Tuesday morning to start the process, which Brock firefighters said could take days.
Lay Pastor Judy Hein was there to witness the remainder of her church being destroyed.
"This is people's lives and memories," she said of the church. She said she will have to meet with the church congregation to determine where services will be held in the near future, noting other churches in the area have been supportive. "It's going to take weeks to sort out."
Ms. Hein smiled with the fact furniture inside, including pews over 100 years old, were salvaged relatively undamaged.
Also watching the church come down was Stewart Arksey, who said he has lived in Cannington all his life. "I've never seen anything like this," he said of the fire.
Meanwhile, the Presbyterian community wasn't without a meeting place on the long Thanksgiving weekend. Cannington residents Doreen and Grant Oliver, also witnessing the demolition, invited 23 members of the church into their home.
Ms. Hein, who became emotional for a short time as she watched crews prepare to bring down the old building, explained the church had recently been renovated inside. She said she received a call Sunday at about 4 a.m. from the Office of the Fire Marshal, and firefighters returned to the site again in the afternoon to battle "hot spots" in the building.
Firefighters on scene did not say if the Trinity United Church, two blocks from Knox Presbyterian, will face a similar fate. But a drive-by of the building revealed minimal visible exterior damage. The Sunday service of the United Church was moved to the Cannington Lions' Hall, said Ms. Hein.
Police are pegging the collective damage from the blazes at $4 million. No injuries were reported.
A police command post has been set up on the site of the Knox Presbyterian Church at the corner of Cameron Street and Peace Street in Cannington. Anyone with information about the fire can visit that location or contact Det. Sgt. Herb Curwain at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2674. Anonymous tips can be made to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) and tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Mill Run, near Uxbridge, Ontario
Happy (belated) Thanksgiving to all! The temperatures made it seem more like Canada Day than Thanksgiving!
I competed in the 10th or 11th staging of the Peace Street Classic golf tournament yesterday. It's a prestigious event, an invitational tournament restricted to only the highest calibre of poor golfers.
To qualify you must:
- have grown up (or atleast aged) on Peace Street in Cannington, Ontario
- said growing (or merely aging) must have occured between 1965 and 1985
- your initials must be JB or SS
- you must have spent countless hours playing road hockey or riding your bike up and down Peace Street
- you must have spent even more hours playing minor hockey through the winter (and fall and spring) in the local barn-like arena (still standing)
Jeff, the JB in the group, lives in the Newmarket area now and has but one tie left to Cannington. His paternal grandmother resides in the local nursing home. The family home, located a three-quarter lob wedge north of my childhood home, was sold a few years ago. His mother is in Lindsay.
We meet a few times each year and compete in match play for the coveted hardware. Oh yes, there is hardware, and it is coveted!
Yesterday was my first victory since the coveted hardware was established. I didn't play all that well. Jeff just struggled a little more than normal.
We played in a beautiful fall setting just west of Uxbridge, Ontario. The course was Mill Run. I believe you can find it at golfmillrun.com or .ca. We played the Wheel nine and the Grind nine.
The leaves were a beautiful colour. The elevation changes made for wonderful vistas, especially on the par-5 15th on the Grind nine, a hole I birdied.
Our 10th hole, number 1 on the Grind nine, is a fun, short par-4 with a tough green backed by an amazing patch of Sumac.
The leaves were amazing colours. Of course, perhaps I'm biased. I love Sumac!
I competed in the 10th or 11th staging of the Peace Street Classic golf tournament yesterday. It's a prestigious event, an invitational tournament restricted to only the highest calibre of poor golfers.
To qualify you must:
- have grown up (or atleast aged) on Peace Street in Cannington, Ontario
- said growing (or merely aging) must have occured between 1965 and 1985
- your initials must be JB or SS
- you must have spent countless hours playing road hockey or riding your bike up and down Peace Street
- you must have spent even more hours playing minor hockey through the winter (and fall and spring) in the local barn-like arena (still standing)
Jeff, the JB in the group, lives in the Newmarket area now and has but one tie left to Cannington. His paternal grandmother resides in the local nursing home. The family home, located a three-quarter lob wedge north of my childhood home, was sold a few years ago. His mother is in Lindsay.
We meet a few times each year and compete in match play for the coveted hardware. Oh yes, there is hardware, and it is coveted!
Yesterday was my first victory since the coveted hardware was established. I didn't play all that well. Jeff just struggled a little more than normal.
We played in a beautiful fall setting just west of Uxbridge, Ontario. The course was Mill Run. I believe you can find it at golfmillrun.com or .ca. We played the Wheel nine and the Grind nine.
The leaves were a beautiful colour. The elevation changes made for wonderful vistas, especially on the par-5 15th on the Grind nine, a hole I birdied.
Our 10th hole, number 1 on the Grind nine, is a fun, short par-4 with a tough green backed by an amazing patch of Sumac.
The leaves were amazing colours. Of course, perhaps I'm biased. I love Sumac!
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Advancing (Age) with Golf
I read with interest a recent article in the RCGA’s Golf Canada titled “Game of a Lifetime.”
“A York University stuffy has concluded that golf does indeed live up to its reputation as the game of a lifetime, good news for baby boomer golfers looking to stay active despite turning 60.”
Joe Baker, a professor at York, studied 96 PGA Tour golfers, each whom had logged at least 12 years on the tour. The study looked at “scoring average, driving distance, driving accuracy, greens in regulation, putts per round and number of competitive rounds played.”
Baker concluded that “performance in golfing can be maintained to a much greater extent than performance in activities relying on biologically-constrained abilities.”
Other conclusions included:
- Among the statistics studied, driving distance and greens in regulation declined most rapidly with age
- Declines in scoring average and putts per round were “minimal”
- Driving accuracy “improved a little for players past the age of 50”
From a business perspective, as we work towards the opening of Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo, I obviously find this data encouraging. We’ve all always known that golf can be played, and even mastered, by those of advanced years, even if the game is discovered late in life.
However, as an organization that guarantees to deliver a 25% reduction in your handicap, or your money back, we’re very happy to hear that scoring average suffers from only a “minimal” decline as a golfer ages.
And of course, on a personal note, since I don’t get to play much golf now, and I’m not sure if/when I will play very much, I’m buoyed by the prospect of playing well for quite some time to come.
For now, keep it in the short grass, especially ye who are 50+!
“A York University stuffy has concluded that golf does indeed live up to its reputation as the game of a lifetime, good news for baby boomer golfers looking to stay active despite turning 60.”
Joe Baker, a professor at York, studied 96 PGA Tour golfers, each whom had logged at least 12 years on the tour. The study looked at “scoring average, driving distance, driving accuracy, greens in regulation, putts per round and number of competitive rounds played.”
Baker concluded that “performance in golfing can be maintained to a much greater extent than performance in activities relying on biologically-constrained abilities.”
Other conclusions included:
- Among the statistics studied, driving distance and greens in regulation declined most rapidly with age
- Declines in scoring average and putts per round were “minimal”
- Driving accuracy “improved a little for players past the age of 50”
From a business perspective, as we work towards the opening of Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo, I obviously find this data encouraging. We’ve all always known that golf can be played, and even mastered, by those of advanced years, even if the game is discovered late in life.
However, as an organization that guarantees to deliver a 25% reduction in your handicap, or your money back, we’re very happy to hear that scoring average suffers from only a “minimal” decline as a golfer ages.
And of course, on a personal note, since I don’t get to play much golf now, and I’m not sure if/when I will play very much, I’m buoyed by the prospect of playing well for quite some time to come.
For now, keep it in the short grass, especially ye who are 50+!
Friday, October 05, 2007
Oktoberfest
I’ve just returned from my eldest son’s first hockey practice. Well, not officially his first, just his first for this season. He’s played defense for years but may play right wing this coming season. It was nice to hear him so excited about the coaching staff, the team and the season that lies before him.
Earlier today I attended – for the very first time – the official keg tapping that kicks off Oktoberfest. Wunderbar! I’d always wanted to attend, but never found the time.
This year I was also interested in how the festivities affected the downtown core. The event was held, and I guess is always held, in the civic square in front of Kitchener City Hall. King Street was closed in front of City Hall, but open elsewhere. There’s a temporary (tent) fest hall on Frederick Street, between King and Duke Streets, and other installations, also on Frederick, between King and Charles Streets.
Thinking pessimistically, I might lament that these temporary road closures will make life difficult for our members and other clients as they enter and exit Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo, to be located within Market Square at the corner of King and Frederick Streets. However, I don’t like to think pessimistically.
In reality, Oktoberfest is great for the downtown core, and it will be great for our center and our members and clients as well. While ingress and egress may be slightly more challenging during Oktoberfest and other festivals, the festivals themselves offer countless benefits. I can’t wait till next year, to see what our staff comes up with as we help Kitchener-Waterloo celebrate Oktoberfest!
For now, it’s soon time to call it a night.
Earlier today I attended – for the very first time – the official keg tapping that kicks off Oktoberfest. Wunderbar! I’d always wanted to attend, but never found the time.
This year I was also interested in how the festivities affected the downtown core. The event was held, and I guess is always held, in the civic square in front of Kitchener City Hall. King Street was closed in front of City Hall, but open elsewhere. There’s a temporary (tent) fest hall on Frederick Street, between King and Duke Streets, and other installations, also on Frederick, between King and Charles Streets.
Thinking pessimistically, I might lament that these temporary road closures will make life difficult for our members and other clients as they enter and exit Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo, to be located within Market Square at the corner of King and Frederick Streets. However, I don’t like to think pessimistically.
In reality, Oktoberfest is great for the downtown core, and it will be great for our center and our members and clients as well. While ingress and egress may be slightly more challenging during Oktoberfest and other festivals, the festivals themselves offer countless benefits. I can’t wait till next year, to see what our staff comes up with as we help Kitchener-Waterloo celebrate Oktoberfest!
For now, it’s soon time to call it a night.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Causes
I've been thinking a little lately about the causes we will support.
Our franchisor supports Right To Play (I'd provide a link but I'm blogging via my Blackberry.). For every golf lesson we provide, one dollar goes to Right To Play. They use sport and play in worn torn areas of the world to help children cope, to give them hope and to build bridges in regions where walls are more common.
Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo will offer an amazing, open and inviting space. We will also have access to media, various golf-themed events and a large, thoughtful membership. We have a lot to offer, and a lot of reasons to give back to our full capability.
My eldest son lives with ... no, he thrives with Celiac Disease. That means he must ensure he doesn't eat wheat, rye, oats or barley. If he ingests as much as speck of flour he may become violently ill. I'll blog more about Celiac in the future. For this entry, suffice it to say that Celiac Disease is a cause I'd like to see us support.
Other loved ones and friends live and thrive with other challenges. There are many causes very near and dear to my heart.
I realize, of course, that we must prioritize and focus. We can't solve all the world's problems. If we try to do too much, we won't do much at all! And our primary focus must always be serving our members and other clients, and thus delivering an exceptional return to our shareholders.
We'll approach this in a very thoughtful and strategic manner. We simply want to ensure we maximize our positive impact both locally and globally.
Our franchisor supports Right To Play (I'd provide a link but I'm blogging via my Blackberry.). For every golf lesson we provide, one dollar goes to Right To Play. They use sport and play in worn torn areas of the world to help children cope, to give them hope and to build bridges in regions where walls are more common.
Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo will offer an amazing, open and inviting space. We will also have access to media, various golf-themed events and a large, thoughtful membership. We have a lot to offer, and a lot of reasons to give back to our full capability.
My eldest son lives with ... no, he thrives with Celiac Disease. That means he must ensure he doesn't eat wheat, rye, oats or barley. If he ingests as much as speck of flour he may become violently ill. I'll blog more about Celiac in the future. For this entry, suffice it to say that Celiac Disease is a cause I'd like to see us support.
Other loved ones and friends live and thrive with other challenges. There are many causes very near and dear to my heart.
I realize, of course, that we must prioritize and focus. We can't solve all the world's problems. If we try to do too much, we won't do much at all! And our primary focus must always be serving our members and other clients, and thus delivering an exceptional return to our shareholders.
We'll approach this in a very thoughtful and strategic manner. We simply want to ensure we maximize our positive impact both locally and globally.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Absentee Blogger
In posting this entry tonight, I’ve avoided going a full two weeks since my last blog post! Two weeks!
I’ve never before had such a long stretch without a blog post.
There are many factors or influencers that motivate me to write and post entries. For the most part, I feel an urge to express some thought(s) or opinion, or to pass along some information, etc. But there is also some blog/peer pressure in the blogosphere. And I even feel guilt at times, like now, when it’s been a really long time between posts.
According to Blogger I’ve posted 183 entries since this blog was established on September 4, 2006. September 2006, as it turns out, was a month that saw the beginning of several personal journeys, including this blog. In some ways it seems like yesterday. In others, it truly seems like a lifetime has passed. But, of course, that’s another story.
There were 69 blog entries in 2006 and 114 so far in 2007. A quick calculation reveals 393 days, inclusive, in that period, and thus one post/entry every 2.1 days (i.e. 393/183) on average.
I don’t really have much of an explanation for my being a recent absentee blogger. It’s certainly a busy time, but not as busy as many other periods in the past 393 days. And it’s certainly a stressful time, and yes perhaps a little more stressful than any other period in the past 393 days, but only slightly more stressful. There’s a lot happening within the normal spheres of thought and discourse that I tend to blog about (e.g. Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo, the local golf scene, professional golf, day to day life, etc.), so there would seem to be lots of topics and lots to say. And yet, blogging temporarily moved to a lower priority.
I believe in the power of routines. We all love our routines and don’t appreciate it much when our routines are interrupted or disrupted. Humans are creatures of habit, for the most part shunning change.
Routines can serve both a positive purpose (i.e. getting into a routine of posting blog entries regularly) or they can be less positive (i.e. routinely typing on a Blackberry when one should be focusing elsewhere).
I’ve heard that it takes some 21 days/iterations to form a habit. So, if I posted daily for 21 days … hmmm.
I’ve never before had such a long stretch without a blog post.
There are many factors or influencers that motivate me to write and post entries. For the most part, I feel an urge to express some thought(s) or opinion, or to pass along some information, etc. But there is also some blog/peer pressure in the blogosphere. And I even feel guilt at times, like now, when it’s been a really long time between posts.
According to Blogger I’ve posted 183 entries since this blog was established on September 4, 2006. September 2006, as it turns out, was a month that saw the beginning of several personal journeys, including this blog. In some ways it seems like yesterday. In others, it truly seems like a lifetime has passed. But, of course, that’s another story.
There were 69 blog entries in 2006 and 114 so far in 2007. A quick calculation reveals 393 days, inclusive, in that period, and thus one post/entry every 2.1 days (i.e. 393/183) on average.
I don’t really have much of an explanation for my being a recent absentee blogger. It’s certainly a busy time, but not as busy as many other periods in the past 393 days. And it’s certainly a stressful time, and yes perhaps a little more stressful than any other period in the past 393 days, but only slightly more stressful. There’s a lot happening within the normal spheres of thought and discourse that I tend to blog about (e.g. Parmasters Kitchener-Waterloo, the local golf scene, professional golf, day to day life, etc.), so there would seem to be lots of topics and lots to say. And yet, blogging temporarily moved to a lower priority.
I believe in the power of routines. We all love our routines and don’t appreciate it much when our routines are interrupted or disrupted. Humans are creatures of habit, for the most part shunning change.
Routines can serve both a positive purpose (i.e. getting into a routine of posting blog entries regularly) or they can be less positive (i.e. routinely typing on a Blackberry when one should be focusing elsewhere).
I’ve heard that it takes some 21 days/iterations to form a habit. So, if I posted daily for 21 days … hmmm.
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