Media Coverage…

This afternoon I was doing a phone interview with the Baltimore Sun and the reporter asked me about how other golfers are reacting to the trip. Is there any jealousy, or negative feedback? Is there a great deal of support? Are people living vicariously through me?

That last twist on the question was a real “stop and ponder” point for me. I’ve never envisioned my life or anything I do as clearing the “living vicariously” bar; however, here I was, being interviewed by a major newspaper, in a city over 2,300 miles from home about what is arguably – for a golfer – the trip of a lifetime. The whole concept was a bit of a shock to my system.

However, at some level it is also somewhat indisputable. In the last week and a half I’ve been interviewed by two newspapers, two radio stations, and a pod cast. I also have a play-along scheduled for this Sunday with another radio personality who hosts a golf show about local courses in the DC/Virginia area.

The short and sweet answer to the question is that, while I don’t know about anyone “living vicariously” thought me, I have received nothing but overwhelming support and encouragement. The most harsh words I have received were a playful “you make it really hard to like you sometimes” in response to a post of yet another fantastic view from a tee box at yet another stellar course. Just this afternoon, as we drove down the freeway toward New Jersey, I received a tweet from a guy identifying himself as the “(completely unofficial) golf ambassador” of New Jersey welcoming me on behalf of the state and saying they “eagerly await [my] arrival”

One of the best quotes directed toward me about “the story” was from a radio host in Columbus, Mississippi, who said (on the topic of if this was newsworthy) “the only people who don’t want this to get out are spouses of golfers.” This was proven a bit prophetic when most of the comments on a newspaper story in Alabama started with the tagging of a spouse/significant other and continued something like this “our anniversary is coming up” or “In case you are wondering what I want for my birthday…” (the remainder were along the lines of “this is so great, good luck”).

I’ve never really wanted attention (especially media attention), in fact I have a standing agreement with a relative that if I win the lottery* I’m giving them the winning ticket (with a modest kickback) just so I don’t have to deal with the news coverage, popularity, etc.

Having said that, this trip and its associated attention are a bit different. For starters I’m highlighting charities in each state I travel through and I guess it follows that the more attention I get, the more they will as well. Beyond that though, I think there is something to be said for chasing and working (hard) toward your dreams. As cool as this trip might look from the outside, a lot of work has gone into the planning of it (and continues, really, to go into the execution of that plan). In a country that prides itself on the claim that its citizens can become whatever they set their minds to becoming, examples of people truly “living the dream” are important.

So, as much as I’m disinclined to draw any attention to myself under normal circumstances, I’m actually looking forward to the play-along interview Sunday; and whatever media coverage we might pick up the rest of the way. I’m sure I’ll still sound a bit uneasy whenever people can actually hear my voice; but in the end, as cliché as it might sound, if just one person is inspired to chase their fantasy, or one charity reaches a funding goal they might have otherwise missed because of a little extra exposure… all of that awkwardness will be worth it.

I’d like to extend a note of thanks to the following media outlets for taking an interest in my story:

103.1 The Team in Columbus, Mississippi
Sylacauga News in Alabama (link is to actual story on us)
WTOP in Washington
the At The Turn podcast based on Portland Oregon (link is to actual story on us)
WMAL in Washington
The Baltimore Sun

*I don’t play the lottery, so, I hope they aren’t waiting around on that ship to come in 