The Ghost of St. Andrews

He knew it would not be easy. The tee shot, the opening shot, it wouldn’t be easy. It is a difficult golf course. This is the home of golf. It was hard to get a tee time.

“Hey, we don’t have all day, hit the tee shot” His caddy whispered.

He looked at his threesome, they were waiting.

“Alright Tony, just do it!” He said to himself.

Tony went through his routine, find a target, one practice swing, focus on target, let go.

The ball traveled about 150 yards in the air. Once it hit the ground, it kept rolling.

“Stop!” Tony yelled, “Do not roll into the burn damn it!”

The ball listened, it stopped right before the burn. Good, it stayed on dry land.

The rest of the group quickly hit their tee shots and they were on their way.

Tony lighted a cigarette.

“Dad, you are not supposed to smoke. Remember you just had a bypass surgery!”

Tony looked at his son. “Ryan, if I am going to die, I’m going to die happy!”

Ryan knew there was no need to continue the conversation. Tony will do what he wants to do. His doctor objected to the trip, yet he is here. All his life, all Tony talked about was St. Andrews, the oldest golf course in the world.

Tony got to his ball, he had 70 yards to the flag. Easy. He pitched the ball, it landed on the green and rolled towards the ball. It rolled and rolled and rolled until it hit the pin and dropped in!

An eagle!

Tony threw his 9 iron into the air. He jumped. He danced. He gave everyone a high five!

“So Ryan, if I did not come, would I enjoy this moment?” Tony grabbed his son’s shoulders and said with a big smile.

“Good job dad!” Ryan gave him a hug.

When they returned to the area which is where number 18 was, Tony was drained. He couldn’t catch his breath. He was pale.

Ryan noticed it. They were in the fairway.

“Dad, I think you need to stop. That’s enough.”

“I have three shots to go. One pitch and two putts to be exact. I’m not going to stop!”

Ryan pulled out a nitro pill. “Here, at least put this under your tongue!”

Surprisingly, Tony did.

His caddy put the bag on the ground and let Tony sit on it. Tony’s color improved.

The rest of the group got their ball on the green. Tony stood up. 70 yards to go.

He used his 9 iron again. Same pitch. The ball kept rolling. It rolled and rolled and rolled and hit the pin. It dropped in!

Tony was over joyed. He looked up. “Oh golf Gods, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Then he dropped on his knee and fell forward. Ryan rushed to his side and started CPR.

“Call the ambulance!” Ryan yelled.