It just came to me that this weekend; the P. G. A. is playing the Memorial tournament on Jack Nicklaus’s course. Well this weekend I am hosting the Memorial tournament at Beechwood Golf & Country Club. The Joe Pogoda Memorial.

Joe Pogoda died in 2003 in a car accident. He was my best friend and died way too early. It was the middle of the afternoon and Joe had gotten off early from work in Hamilton and decided to go over to the United States via the Queenston- Lewiston Bridge. There was a long line up of transport trucks and somehow Joe ran right into the back of one without slowing down or braking. I have my theories on why this happened as this was not an isolated incident however we will never know.

I use the tournament to honour Joe and raise money for local worthwhile causes such as the Jump Start Program. Now Joe wasn’t a saint, but he was one of those guys that you could not help but have a great time with. It is also amazing that he was not only my best friend but I know of at least 5 other people that consider him his best friend, now that is a fitting picture of probably one of the most intelligent, funny guy I have ever met. He organized everything, hockey pools, football pools, and our bowling team. He kept stats on our bowling and could tell me how many single pins I missed in 1995 and if you missed too many he would certainly let you know and bring it up now and again. He was a big man but a gifted athlete. A good bowler and at one time a near scratch golfer, he also played football and hockey quite well.

Joe had a great sense of humour and was quick with a reply to any comment made in his direction. As I stated he was a big man and we were at bowling once and someone asked him if he had lost weight. Joe said “Yeah, 10 pounds, but that is like a deck chair blowing off the Titanic. He would call me on the phone and just keep talking and talking.

I still miss him very much and when someone asked me what major tournament is on this weekend then I will say The Memorial and you know which one I mean.

Tags: General by John White
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I do a lot of research on peak performance and one thing that intrigues me is emotional control and a person’s ability to show it. I admire players like Bjorn Bjorg and Barry Sanders who just went about their business and performed. I also admire players like Tiger Woods who has shown improvement and is definitely working on it although he is not perfect yet.

I coach a number of young athletes, and I see them get upset and frustrated. It is a hard thing to teach them that this is not helping them. I think it is a good thing that they get upset because it means that they care but they have to use it to in a positive way and learn to let go of the last play or shot. I guess this might be an ingrained habit as I observe babies crying and screaming if things don’t go their way. Getting upset and acting like one of those two year olds that don’t know any better is no way to be just because a game you are playing isn’t going your way. We need to constantly work on our ability to handle our emotions as this will not only lead to better performance but also better health and enjoyment.

If you get upset at things like traffic jams and little things that others may do that aren’t that important then I believe you are the one that is being hurt the most. Let go of your anger and you will live more relaxed and peaceful. You need to work on it. Deep breathing, focusing on the present is the best way of losing that feeling that you have caused by focusing on the negative. Two sayings that reflect the thoughts here are “You will be punished not for your anger but by your anger” and “God help me accept the things that I cannot control, change the things that I can control and the wisdom to know the difference”. One way is to change the way you look at the last missed shot. How about laughing instead of cursing.

Tags: General by John White
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Do you know something that irks me? It is when a person totally disregards the rules and does whatever they want for the benefit of them. Little things like getting in the express lane at the grocery store with more items than your allowed or walking on the grass that has a sign keep off the grass. There are obvious reasons these rules are made and what gives them the right to break them.

I guess I am not totally an angel when it comes to say parking my car as I will park in no parking zones when I absolutely can’t find another spot and I am only going to be a few minutes but I see people parking at the golf club in places that their car is totally in the way when there are spots 20 yards away. A lot of time it is people that do have some status and I was wondering if you break these rules because you are “important” or are you “important” because you can break these rules without guilt.

It might be that way but I am not sure if I could ever be like that. I don’t think I could go in the out without feeling guilty. I am not saying that every rule has to be strictly adhered to or not challenged but the world would be a better place if people took a moment and had more respect for other people in line or the grass that they are walking on.

Tags: General by John White
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Do you know what makes golf great? It is such a humbling game. It teaches you so much about life and all the ups and downs you experience.

I was playing in a tournament yesterday and I have been playing quite well so I was looking forward to competing. I started out okay but ended up playing quite poorly. As you are out there and things aren’t going that well all kinds of thoughts come through your head. You start thinking about quitting the game, what are your students going to think or why do you try so hard.

Then I got to thinking that anyone who really knows this game realizes that it is such a challenging game and that you are going to have days like that. It is just like in life. As my best friend once said “some days chicken, some days bone”. He died in a car accident 5 years ago. So it is also in how you look at it. It is a challenge and a game. Life is like that. How you look at it and how you reflect on it. It is just an honour to be in the game. Look at the alternative.

I was proud of the fact that I never gave up and kept trying on every shot and that is all you can do. Give your best on every shot because if you do then that’s what it is all about. It’s not the end result but it is knowing that you gave your best in every moment and where honoured to be able to compete or live.

Tags: General, Golf General by John White
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I get a little annoyed when people lump all golf professionals or teachers in the same lump. That is like saying any old doctor will do, or going to see a podiatrist to get your gall bladder out.

If you want to improve you should seek out the best instructor possible and affordable although it is hardly worth bringing cost into it as you get what you pay for to some degree. Do you homework as some golf professionals are better at teaching and have the equipment to do it. Video analysis is a must so if they don’t have it or use it very much then heed. Ask a few questions like “What do you think of Homer Kelly?” or “What is a flying wedge?” and they answer “I don’t watch the Simpsons” or ” It is a club toss” then graciously tell them you will get back to them and head for the hills.

I am not picking on anyone in particular, but I want the consumer to know there is a difference between instructors just like there is a difference between doctors. If you pick the wrong doctor the consequences are a little more severe than a ruined golf game but the latter for some is almost as devastating.

Tags: Golf General, Lessons in Golf by John White
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