Just Wait; The First of Many

Good evening and welcome back to TaylorHarveyGolf!

It has been a little over a week since I returned home from our tournament in Gulf Shores, Alabama and I am still soaking in the unrealness that encompassed the event.

My morning had started normally, I went through my routine, bags packed, and I was looking forward to playing my final round! The day prior, the group I played with did not finish all 36 holes, and I had 2 more to complete before our final round of 18. Upon getting to the golf course, I was immediately herded toward the golf carts and told to finish my second round cold turkey. To paint the picture, it was very cold outside and as a golfer, it is common sense to have a warm-up before playing, let alone before a tournament. At that moment I could not help but feel a flare of frustration and annoyance at the circumstance. Although it was not a picture-perfect moment, adversity happens and it is your outlook that will allow you to succeed despite setbacks.

Before the tournament, I told my family about the many circumstances I was going through that were testing me and my patience. A lot of the situations I was experiencing were altercations that were beyond my control. I am thankful for my family because they always keep me in check and ground me despite how I may be feeling at the time. I had to remind myself throughout the trip that many factors in life are beyond my wheelhouse, and the only things I can control are;

My attitude

My effort

My behavior,

And my actions.

Driving the cart to the holes we needed to finish, I had to remind myself of this and remember that adversity can be a positive.

Our group started on a par 3 and tensions were in the air as the uncertainty of the day loomed before us. When it became my turn on the tee, all I could do was accept that what is meant to be will be and hit the shot. Luckily enough, I hit my first shot of the day to 4 feet and made the putt for birdie.

I have realized in my game that confidence and commitment are so important. With any shot that you hit, if you are not confident in your ability accompanied by being fully committed to that swing, the results can and will fluctuate. Yes, sometimes you can get away with a mishit, but often the results of these two factors can produce a poor shot, and worse, a poor attitude.

Similar to personal walks with Christ. If you are not secure, confident, and committed wholeheartedly to God, it will be difficult to overcome the trials of this world.

You can not falter in confidence because you miss a 6-footer for par. You can not be in disarray when your layup shot gets a bad kick. You must certainly not think any less of yourself for posting a silly number while playing the game of golf. Remember, it is a game and a privilege to enjoy!

This tournament taught me a lot about myself.

Not only did I get my first hole-in-one, but I also won my first collegiate individual win and made the playoff putt to win the team competition. I am extremely grateful to have had this experience and want to thank the Peninsula Golf Club staff, the tournament coordinators, and my PVAMU golf family for being a part of this special moment in my golf career.

I would like to take credit so badly for this amazing golf feat but that would not be me being authentic. As stated, I like to make playing golf a time for me and God. A time where I listen, observe, and soak in the beautiful surroundings I am blessed to be in.

Before my round, I heard the saying “just wait” in my spirit and it continued to ping in my head throughout the day. Funnily enough, the hole before I had my hole-in-one, I was mentally drained and trying to regain focus and confidence in the task at hand. Thankfully, my coach was there and gave me a pep talk to keep my mind right and to keep chugging forward. Yet again, I heard “just wait” in my head and continued the stretch to the next hole.

I don’t know if I am crazy, but the pureness I felt in my swing at that moment was a top-tier highlight, locked in my memory forever. With how good I hit my shot, I was in shock when I walked up to the green to not see a ball near the hole. I looked around and took a peek in the rough and found nothing. The TSU head coach was near the green and told me to go check in the hole and immediately, the butterflies started fluttering. As I inched closer to the hole, my heart swelled as I saw my Titleist 4 golf ball at the bottom of the cup. There is no greater feeling than picking up your golf ball out of the hole and writing a 1 down on your scorecard. I am ecstatic that I had my first hole-in-one and will cherish that moment forever!

This moment was a God moment for sure. The sole fact that no one saw the ball roll into the hole besides God speaks for itself. It was a message to myself, to have confidence in myself but most importantly to have confidence in God. It is his goodness to me that produced my picture-perfect day and I am truly blessed.

The perfect verse to end this story is one of my personal favorites

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

As always I love you, but Jesus loves you more

Have a great week (: