Friday, April 22, 2016

Bick Long ’61 visits with golf team

Back for his 55th reunion, Bick Long ’61 took time to share insights about the game of golf with members of the golf team and other returning classmates.    The six-time national amputee golf champion shared stories about setting the Woodberry Forest Golf Course record (66) as a fifth former,  his tournament experience playing in the US Army during the Vietnam War, and a memorable pro-am  round with PGA tour legend Tom Watson.

He also presented some of the wisdom acquired over a lifetime of playing golf -- he started in competitive golf at age eight -- with the boys.

On practice:  "Remember what is not on a range:  uneven lies, rough, OB, water, three-putting after a loose shot, pressure."

On play:  "You might build muscle memory on the range, but you learn to play by playing.  Get on the course!"

On experience:  "Playing outside your comfort level narrows your focus and the related experience improves your comfort."

On frustration:  "Let it bother your opponent more than it bothers you."

On friendship:  "When I began entering senior tournaments at fifty, I found myself paired with fellows I had played against in high school.  Golf courses are great places to make friends for life."

On beauty: "Hitting beautiful shots is a treasure, but there is only space on the scorecard for 'how many,' not 'how.'"




Varsity captain Peter Knade ’16 presented Bick with some Woodberry golf balls.