Team Jacobsen

When we started this journey, it was habit (and probably more fitting) for me to talk in the first person when describing the rounds and play in general. Interestingly, however, it has become easier and increasingly appropriate to use the term “we” when describing the actual play on this trip.

What started out as me golfing and Melanie taking pictures and largely trying not to interrupt the flow of my game has become a completely transformed experience. I now feel as though I’m part of a team on the course… something I’ve not felt this tangibly before even when I was actually on a team in league play.

She has added “caddie” duties to her photographer role and has excelled with her usual aplomb. Often, Melanie (who is usually in the cart while I’m walking, ostensibly to allow her the ability to maneuver around the course and capture pictures and still arrive at the ball around the same time I do with my clubs) shows up at the ball with the appropriate club in hand, eliminating the need for me to take extra time to select a club. It should be noted that she is making these determinations without the benefit of the range finding app I have on my phone and smart watch.

Moreover, she has developed very good course awareness. Sensing potential shots I might overlook, staying alert and aware of pace of play issues, and even keeping me honest at time regarding course etiquette (no architect in the world has a better concept of what 90 degree angle is than Melanie when driving a cart onto a fairway), she is an absolute partner in my play (fortunately, at this point she can’t really swing a club, or I’m not sure why I’d still be here).

It’s been a great experience to watch her knowledge and appreciation of the game grow over the last few weeks, and I’m looking forward to the rest of *our* rounds as we continue on this rather amazing little journey we are on.