Golf has been described as “a good walk spoiled,” and likened to love in that if you don’t take it seriously, it’s no fun and if you do, it breaks your heart. But the most important thing that I want our kids to take away from their golf experience at Providence is that golf is a game of honor. Harvey Penick, America’s best loved teacher of the game said, “A tournament champion is a winner on the golf course. A person of honor is a winner everywhere.” There are no referees in golf, no umpires and no line judges. We ask our players to call penalty shots on themselves for violations that no one else saw. In some cases, matches are lost because of it. Honor, integrity, sportsmanship are what matters. We all love to win, it’s human nature. But HOW we compete, win or lose, is what will define us – as a team, as Providence students and as young men and women who wish to glorify God in all we do.
As their golf coach, I want to further instill a love of the game in my players. We will learn the rules, the grip and stance, how to putt and the art of the long bunker shot. But more importantly, we are going to have fun and represent Providence with pride, humility and integrity. I am looking forward to a great season. Thank you for entrusting me with your children.
Success in this game depends less on strength of body than strength of mind and character.
Arnold Palmer