Ottawa Park and The Universe

Finally

If you have been reading any of the previous posts, you may remember that getting to Toledo, Ohio, to play Ottawa Park Golf Course has been a bit of a struggle.

Between work schedules, airfare, and a few life curveballs, it has been three years of on-again, off-again planning until this year. My workload has been reduced thanks to our new hire, I squirreled away just enough Southwest miles to soften the cost of airfare, and life’s curveballs are still coming, but at a more reasonable pace. Side note, Toledo, it turns out, is not easy to fly to, and it’s surprisingly expensive to fly kind of near there. You basically have to choose between Cleveland, Ohio, or Detroit, Michigan. I chose Detroit.

Universe

I'm a firm believer that the universe is listening and also speaking, and when the universe does speak to me, it’s usually little hints here and there. Maybe it’s a menu item that’s suddenly not available; I guess I was not meant to have those oysters. Maybe the left turn signal doesn’t ever turn green; I guess it wasn’t meant for me to go left on that road. How about a full-on bloody fistfight breaks out right in front of you over the last newspaper at the train station; maybe it’s time for me to step away from the rat race - true story, by the way! Sometimes I listen and course-correct, accepting my new path and see what the new adventure has in store for me. Other times, I stay the course and see why the universe is trying to steer me in a new direction. I usually take on a “let’s see what happens if I keep pushing ahead, if all hell breaks loose, at least it will make for a good story.” The universe was speaking on this trip, and it started talking just after boarding the plane for Detroit and the Captain announced. “Good morning passengers, I’m sorry to say we can’t push back due to engine problems.” Ok universe, I hear you, what’s up and why do you not want me to go to Ottawa Park? Let’s find out why.

I deplaned and 2 hours later I board another plane, pushed back, I took a deep breath, and made it to Detroit with no issues.  I waited at the oversized baggage counter watching one golfer after another grab there clubs until I was the only one there.  I had two thoughts in my head, a lot of folks golf in Detroit, and does Ottawa Park rent clubs because my clubs are not here.  What’s up universe. 

I slowly walk away from the oversized baggage area looking back longingly wondering if my clubs are ok, are they being treated well wherever they are.  I spot the customer service booth way on the other side of baggage claim, head down, I start the long walk to find out the fate of my clubs.  Midway to customer services I see off in the distance a long red bag leaning next to another oversized  baggage door, could it be, are there are two oversized baggage locations.  I pick up my pace and never take my eyes off the bag.  Yes, I was reunited with my clubs, as I grabbed them I exhaled with relief, and it may have been my imagination, but I think I heard my clubs exhale as well.

The walk to the rental can transportation bus was easy and the line to get on the bus was short.  The bus arrived quickly, the doors open, and before we can load in the driver announces the bus is going out of service.  At this point I’m thinking what is going to happen at Ottawa Park that the universe doesn’t want me to see or experience. I stick to my guns and I hold tight and wait for the next bus.  A short 10 minutes later a new bus arrives and we all get on the bus just find, and this is when the universe begins to quiet down a bit and allow others to speak.

Onward

“Are you coming back from playing or are you playing here?” a fellow bus passenger asked me. I told him I was on my way to play Ottawa Park in Toledo, and he asked why.

I filled him in on my journey and how Ottawa Park is the second oldest 18-hole golf course open to the public. He replied, “Do you know about Overland Park in Denver?” Shocked at first that he knew of that course and secondly my answer was yes. He lives in Denver and has played there often. It was kind of a small world moment; we quickly shared some Overland Park golf stories, and at the end of the bus ride, we hopped off, said our goodbyes, and went our own way at the rental car hub.

Getting to Toledo was a nice easy drive, and so was getting to Ottawa Park Golf Course. After all the on-and-off plans I made, I took a minute to listen to the universe. I heard nothing, so I laced up the golf shoes and headed into the clubhouse to check in for the round. I was matched up with a twosome and a single.

Now standing on the first tee box, the universe stops talking because it knows this is not its domain. Here, there is only one force that is ever present, The Golf Gods.

I’m usually a bit amped up at the 1st tee because I’m excited to play these historic courses and in this case it’s been a bit of a journey to get here. The local tees off and hits a bomb right down the middle; he plays here a few times a week. I tee off second and pull a low line drive dead left about 50 yards into the woods. I say, “I’ll hit around after you guys hit.” The first twosome hits down the middle, and the second twosome hits a bomb left heading toward the trees; the ball hits a tree and bounces to the center left of the fairway. I hit my second shot slightly better than the first only because it stayed in play by inches along the left tree line.

While getting to my ball I began to think about what I might have done to upset the golf gods, I couldn’t think of anything except maybe this is what the universe was trying to save me from. No, it was too nice of a day to have one shot, ok two shots, set the tone of my game this day. I proceeded to hit my next shot well but it went right and the ball rolled into a fairway bunker about 100 yards from the green.  Ok, challenge accepted, fairway bunkers don’t scare me, well not as much as green side bunkers do.  From out of the bunker my shot hit the green and rolled to about 10 feet from the green, it seems I was being tested by the gods early and I somehow passed the test and was rewarded with the "shot of the round"-on my 4th shot of the day. I bogeyed the first hole feeling really good about the round, the universe was minding it’s own business and the golf gods are present, but for the moment, they are happy.

Secrets

Ottawa Park was presenting well. Our group was hanging on to their rounds; we all had some good shots and some clunkers, but hey, everyone was having a good time. As we putted out on 17, the signal golfer walked over to me and asked if I wanted to hit off the “locals” tee box on 18. Ah, yeah, I do. Me and the other twosome followed our guide to the mysterious “locals” tee box. We exited the paved cart path onto a slightly worn dirt trail up a steep hill. Three or four switchbacks later, we punched through a slightly overgrown tee box. You can tell this area is lightly maintained with only one set of tee markers. Standing and staring through an overgrown tunnel of trees, I asked what is so special about this tee box. It turns out this was the original first tee box from back in 1899 and is only known by the locals. There is a building behind the tee box that is currently hidden by a wall of trees and thick brush, believed to be the location of the original clubhouse. What an honor and how cool, why would the universe try to keep me from this, I learned as soon as I teed off from here. I even recorded the special moment.

I say, so what! It was great enough to be standing on that tee box, what an opportunity. I know the universe was maybe trying to save me from this “embarrassment”, and I have to say thank you for thinking about that, but I hope the universe is listening now, I’m okay. Walking historic golf courses, meeting new people, and having a chance at unique experiences like this is always my goal. If I get a few good shots in during the round that's just like a little bonus for the day. Oh, and if anyone reading this goes to Ottawa Park and finds the “locals” tee box, please be respectful of this hallowed ground - I know you all will be.

See you all on the course.