Golf In A Parallel Universe

by Jimmy Bloodworth

  “Tell them that Gus sent you," he told me. I told him that I will be very happy to do this. I will stop by the way out of here. “Thanks. You are doing a good thing. It will really help the kids," he told me in an appreciative tone.

  I made my way to the door. And I felt sad. This was goodbye. Sure I will be doing follow up lessons in the future. But this week may have been the biggest turning point of my life. I reached out and shook his hand and thanked him. I could tell that he was sad as well. It almost seemed like he was seeing his son leave and going out into the world. Sounds silly. But and that’s the way I felt. I remembered that Jerry said that he is really just an old Softy inside and I can see that now. “Ah Gus," I said laughing. And I gave a big Hug. We both laughed, and I walked away.

  As I was getting in my car I felt that was a little weird. I never hugged goodbye to a golf instructor before. But I felt that he is family now. I dropped by the high school on the way out. I went into the office and asked if Bud Elkins is in. The receptionist told me to wait second and she will call and see if he is in his office. She asked me my name, and I told her my name and told her to tell him that Gus had sent me. She talked a few seconds on the phone, shaking her head and hung up. “Yeah Bud is in his office right now," she told me as she took me out in the hall. “Go right down the hall here until you get to the end. Take a right and that will take you in the Gym. Buds office is on the far left side of the Gym," she told me smiling.

  I thanked her and walked towards the Gym. I walked in the Gym and it brought back old memories of my junior high and high school days. This was a very old Gym. Not like the modern ones we have now a days in the new schools. It was like walking back in time. It was clean but I could see there was a lot of wear and tear in this Old Gym. I walked back to the office and gently knocked on the open door. Only one person was in there and Bud came out into the office looking curious, but had a friendly smile. He was a pretty big guy. But fit in his late 50’s. He looked just like you what would expect a high school coach to look like. He reached out and Shook my hand with a firm handshake. “Hi Bud Elkins," he said smiling. I responded in kind and introduced myself.

  “The receptionist told me your name. And I was thinking, this can’t be Jim Galloway the Masters champion. But here you are," he said in a happy tone. I just smiled and a little embarrassed. ”Yeah that's me," I replied. “So they tell me Gus sent you down here, right?," he asked. “Yep” I replied.

  “We love Gus here. He has done so much for this school. We have a small golf program and he has given the kids lessons over the years. He has also helped out on our Girls Softball team. He is really a great guy. So what brings down to our little school," he asked.

  I went over what I had been doing the last few days. I told him all about what I am trying to do to bring my game up to the next level and that Jerry Churchill told me about him. I explained to him that Jerry told me about the days when he was an instructor on the tour years ago. I told him that Gus was a swing coach or instructor for Jerry Churchill , Jacob Regan, Bernie Sellers and a few others. Bud listened intently. “I had no idea” he said shaking his head. “We never knew his history. We just know that he seems to be a very good teacher and is generous with his time. He helped this school out a lot over the years," he told me.

  I explained that we had been doing some serious work the last few days and how I had to adapt to his personality. Bud just laughed and told me that everyone knows about his rough edge personality. But he is just an old softy inside. “Anyway I don’t know if you ever noticed that he is stuck in the 70’s," I told him smiling. Bud just laughed. “I could tell you some funny stories. Especially when he is talking to the kids about some old things like record players and Eight-Track tapes. And they are trying to tell him about Ipods, MP3 players and smartphones. It is a site to see," he said laughing. We just laughed when he told that story.

  I explained why I am here. I told him that a professional Golf swing coach or instructor charges a fortune for lessons. That's one reason I have not had a swing coach the last few years. I just could not afford one. Since I won the masters now, I am much better shape now financially. I told him how I worked with Gus this week. And since Gus is stuck in the 1970’s. His rate was just $75.00 a day which is nothing now a days. Bud was listening with one hand on the elbow the other on his chin listing, shaking his head and he understood.

  I explained that decided to give him a bonus to pay what his services are really worth. I feel like he is making a major change in my career and I wanted to compensate him for it. “So I gave him this check," I told him as I was pulling it out of my front shirt pocket. And he could not accept this check. He said he was doing fine with money and told me to donate it to my favorite charity. I asked him what his favorite charity is. He told me he did not have one. But he thought that your school's Athletic department could use this. So I would respectfully like to donate this in Gus’s name," I told him as I handed him the $5000.00 check. He pulled up his glasses put them on his forehead and just shook his head. “My gosh, you have no idea. I was just going over the budget today and trying to figure out how we were going to make ends meet. I don't know what to say, except thank you very much," he said all choked up. I could tell that he was truly moved, and that this means a lot. “Don’t thank me. Thank Gus," I replied. He smiled and shook my hand.

  We chatted a couple of minutes as we walked to the door. He thanked me again and told me he would be following my progress on the tour. I thanked him and went on my way. As I driving home I really felt good. I have never really donated any significant money to a charity or an organization. This really felt good. I have made some small donations to charities in the past, but you really never see where the money is going. But here, I know right where it is going, and it is going to a good cause and that is gratifying.

  The next few days I worked hard on my game by myself as Gus instructed. That stupid voice in my head is more thrilled than ever and starting to get on my nerves. I work on all the things that Gus has gone over. As I play on my home course I am astonished at my distance that I have now. This is a pretty long course and my drives are averaging about 305 yards. And I am three less irons than before on iron shots. So I am really amazed at my distance and I cannot wait to play on a PGA tour style course.

  The next few days, I worked hard on the techniques that Gus showed me. Golf is really fun for me again. I have not felt like this in years. That voice in the back of my head is getting stronger and I am trying to ignore it. I am also continuing to have those very strong dreams of living in a small town with a family. In my dream I love being with my wife and kids. The dreams are so real. I love those dreams. Except for the part where I am an amatueur golfer and I cannot hit the ball very well. The strange thing is when I am awake, I feel like I am away from home and I should be back with my family. That is so odd since I have never been married and I have no family. Sometimes a worry about all of this and I wonder if I should go to see a psychiatrist or someone. But I am so busy lately. I just think it is some crazy psychological stress I am having from all that has gone on with me the last few weeks. Little did I know that there are two of me right now and the future is about to get interesting.

  Chapter 10: Road to the U.S. Open

  Sunday May 25th 2014. I finished my 6th day of self practice. Tomorrow I leave for Dublin, Ohio to play in my next scheduled tournament which is the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide Insurance. This will be a good tune up tournament for the U.S. Open which is two weeks away. I can do my last day of self practice in Dublin. Of course from here on out it is all self practice. But I have to do the work these 7 days just like Gus told me.

  Sunday night at home and I am a little tired. I am drinking a beer and relaxing. It's been such a crazy last few days and I try to think what all I need to do to get ready for my trip tomorrow. Then I remember “Ah Emily," I say to myself. I am thinking maybe I should call her. But then, is it too early to call her? We saw each other a few days ago.
I hate this. If you call too early after your first date, then you seem desperate. But if you call too late, you are a rude jerk. Gosh, I feel like I am in highschool. I have totally lost track of time. But I then realize that it has been over a week since I saw her. I decide to just text her and ask if she has time to talk. I text her and she replied that she can talk. I get ready to call her and I am so nervous. I feel just like a highschool kid. Finally, I called her. And after first 30 seconds it was just like talking to an old friend. She is just so easy to talk to. She asked me how things have been going with my lessons and I told her that they have been going great. I told her that I have been busy and sorry I have not called. She just laughed and said don’t worry about that, she knows that I have been busy. I told her the story about how Gus is stuck in the 1970’s with his old TV’s and VCR equipment. We had a good laugh about that. And we just continued to talk about everything and nothing at all. It was so nice to talk to her.

  Before I knew it, we had been talking for an hour. As we were winding down, I told her that I am leaving tomorrow for Memorial Tournament in Dublin Ohio. I should be back next Monday. That is of course if I make the cut. Otherwise I will be back earlier. But I am not planning on missing the cut. I will have a much needed week off the following week, and I told her I would love to see her again. She said that she knows she will be here then and she will look forwarding to seeing me again. I told her I will call her when I got back. She said she will be following me on this tournament and wished me good luck.

  As we hung up I realized that I have a real chance here. Life is pretty good now. I have some money for the first time in years. I may be at a turning point with my Golf Game. And now maybe even a relationship. “Wow how things have changed," I told myself.

  Then I got a quick text from Jerry Churchill . He asked how my lessons with Gus went and if I will be at the Memorial Tournament this next week. I replied that the lessons were great. And I am leaving in the morning for the tournament. He told me he will see me there. Life is funny. A new golf swing. A possible girlfriend. And now I am texting to a Golf Legend, Jerry Churchill . “Oh well time for bed. Tomorrow I get back in tournament mode," I tell myself. I go to bed and have those dreams again. Each time they get a little be more clear, and I am starting to see some faces.

  Monday Morning. Luckily my flight is not too early, 11:00am. I got a good night's sleep and got to the airport to catch my flight. It feels good to be traveling again. I am anxious to play in this tournament. I want to see if my new swing will pay benefits. The flight arrives at the airport in Columbus Ohio a little after 1:00pm. The plan is to grab a bite to eat and drive to Dublin which is just North of Columbus. I make it to the course about 3:00pm. Today, just a casual day. I will hit some balls and do some chipping and putting for a couple of hours. I told Zack since I will be getting here late, not to bother on being here today, I will see him tomorrow. It was good to get back out on the course with the tour. I ran into some of the guys and had some good visits. I did not tell anyone that I had been going through some major changes with my swing. I did some chipping and putting for about an hour. Then I plan to hit some balls for a while and then go to my hotel which is close buy.

  After a few minutes of hitting balls Jerry Churchill came by. "As I was walking up I was watching you swing, and I can tell that Gus has been working with you," he told me smiling. “Really?” I replied in a happy tone. “Yeah, hit a few for me, I want to see your swing." I hit a few and he stood back watching me intently with his hand on his chin in a thinking gesture. After a few shots, he just said with his head shaking back and forth with his eyes wide open. “Wow, what a dramatic difference. You have a real golf swing now Son. I am shocked!, he told me enthusiastically.

  “That much difference?," I asked. “Yeah, your swing has such a clear path through impact. Before you were always blocking yourself out. And your tempo, is the same with every shot," he told me. “Funny thing. I do not really feel like I have made any major changes," I replied. He explained that is the beauty of working with Gus. He will make some minor changes and mold your swing without you even realizing it. He really works at training your brain and your thoughts to develope a great golf swing. “And I am sure he used some unconventional tactics to get you to understand his concepts didn't he?," he asked.

  “Yeah he did” I said laughing. I told him about all the strange things he did with the softballs and things and how I thought he was crazy at first. Jerry just laughed and said he knows the feeling. “But he got your to think, didn't he?," asked Jerry. “Yeah he sure did," I replied. I told him the light bulb went off in my head and I finally got it. “Same thing happened to me when he was teaching me” He replied.

  He asked me what my approach or plan for this week for this tournament. I told him that I want to get and play. And put this new swing to good use and make the cut and make a run and try to win the tournament. He listened to me and shook his in a yes or understanding gesture. “I have a couple of recommendations if you are interested," he asked. “Sure” I replied.

  He explained that when you go through major changes in your swing, it takes time to adapt to it. When you start in competition it is really hard go to commit to your swing changes because you will be focused with the competition. When you get out there you are going to have some hiccups trying to adapt to your to my new swing. And in the heat of competition that can be stressful and old bad habits will creep back in.

  “I recommend to not think about competing in this tournament. Don’t worry about making the cut or making money. And don't worry about trying to win the tournament. Just think of it as a practice round with no stress. Just concentrate on the techniques that you have learned. If you make a 10 on a hole, laugh it off. No biggie. If you don’t make the cut no big deal, at least you got to play two days with your new swing. Your only goal is your swing, not the tournament. Just think of it as a spring training baseball game. Winning or losing means nothing. Just work on sharpening your skills. If you go in there this week with this attitude. I guarantee you will make progress with developing your new swing," he told me. “Makes sense," I replied. I told him I will take this approach this week. We shook hands, and he walked away.

  I picked up my clubs and got into my rental car and drove to my hotel and checked in. When I got to my room I just relaxed. This room had a great view. So of course I used that as an excuse to grab a beer and look at the view and think about things. The things that Jerry Churchill told me today made so much sense. This tournament is just a practice round. The real deal is two weeks away, which is the US Open. I am wondering if I made a mistake by taking these lessons so close to the US Open. I was on somewhat of a roll the last couple of months and may could have made a run for it. But then I think about the TPC a few weeks ago. I played the best that I could play. But I just could not hang with the guys at the top. So the more I think about it. Taking these lessons and revamping my swing was probably a good idea. Maybe I will do terrible this week and maybe I will do terrible in the US Open. But I know I am on the right track in developing my game into something special. I had one more beer and got a bite to eat and went to bed early. I fall to sleep fast. And I have those same dreams again, just like every night.

  I wake up early Tuesday morning. I have noticed that those dreams seem to be getting stronger and more clear each night. I just do not understand. I never had those type of dreams until I won the masters. Sometimes I wonder if I should worry. But they are not bad dreams. Just peaceful dreams, so I guess I should not worry about them. I got up and ate some breakfast and headed out to the course. I am looking forward to testing out my new swing this week. And since talking to Jerry Churchill last night and making the decision just use this tournament as a practice round, I feel like I have no pressure.

  I arrive at the course about 9:00 am. I am getting my gear out of the trunk of the car and here comes my Caddie Zack. “Hey buddy, how's it going?," I shout out and we give each other a big hug. He knows that I have been wo
rking on my game with lessons the last couple of weeks. So he took a vacation with his family.

  “So how did your lessons go?," he asked. “Great," I replied. “Tell about it what all did you do?," he asked again. “Well Zack," I said laughing. “I could not begin to tell you what I have been through the last two weeks. We will need to find a time to sit down and have a few beers to go over what I have been through. Let’s just say it has been a very unusual last two weeks," I said laughing.

  As we are walking to the clubhouse, I tell him about what I discussed with Jerry Churchill about last night. I plan to take a casual approach to this tournament. I will just play it like a practice round, no pressure. Zack thought that was a good idea. I went to the club house and got my registration out of the way, so I am all set.

  Time to go to the range and hit some balls. Zack had made arrangements for a practice round at 11:30am with a couple of other pros. I started to hit some balls and Zack was working with me like he always does. Cleaning clubs and balls and handing me my clubs when I change clubs. Also measuring my distance on various clubs. Basically a good caddie is a manager, a coach, an equipment cleaner, and a companion.

  As I got warmed up and started hitting some full shots. Zack just stood back and said “Whoa!”

  No one knows my swing better than Zack. He has seen me hit more ball than anyone. “What's up Zack?” I asked with a grin on my face. “Just keep hitting balls” he said in a serious tone. So I hit some more. He never said a word. He had a serious concerned but please look on his face.

  “Jim," he said. “You're right we need to sit down and have a few beers to go over what you have been through," he said shaking his head. “Let me see your ID! I know you are not Jim Galloway, this is not his swing!," he said laughing. We both laughed. “What the hell," he said shaking his head.