WHITE RIVER VALLEY — Golf is a game. A rather expensive pastime that takes you from the lows of threeputting to save quadruple bogey to that one sweet shot that will bring you back for another round of torture. You can, nevertheless, have a wonderful time being outdoors enjoying nature, catching up with an old friend who will take you for an arm and a leg, metaphorically speaking.

A 77 year-old man has lost his lower arm after he was bitten by an alligator on a coastal South Carolina golf course. Reaching down to pick up his ball the gator dined on a delicacy of fresh golfer. Now, I don’t have to explain the pull of golf on guys to those who have played a round of cow pasture pool. Guys, as a lot, will do seemingly dumb things, from time to time. The event of losing an arm while playing golf is considered an acceptable loss. What better way to impress the rest of the He-man macho world than to say “yeah, I lost it on a par 4. But I sank the putt to save par.”

It’s the scorecard. What do the numbers say? A 77 on a par 70 course playing the last three holes with one arm, you say? That is enough to get you immortalized for the ages. Fathers will tell sons about you. Sportscenter will feature you. You get an entire page in Sports Illustrated. Life is good when you can regale the guys about your heroics.

The cult classical movie “Caddy Shack” had the minister playing the round of his life in a thunderstorm. Every swing heattempted was a great shot. Only when he forgot his collar did he succumb to the golfing gods. When a guy is shooting the best round of his life it is an amazing spectacle. I was lucky to have witnessed my friend Terry’s best round.

Every shot he took seemed to be his best.

He was quiet. He didn’t want to mess with whatever karma was working. The pars were carded with an occasional birdie.

Terry was having one of those experiences which comes along infrequently. When riding wave on a golf course the best advice you can give yourself is “shut up and hit the ball.” How Terry would have reacted had an alligator amputated his arm is best left a mystery. I happen to think I would have beaten the gator with a five-iron, retrieved the arm for later re-attachment and let Terry continue with his round. As with all things in life there is balance. Have a great round of golf it may cost you an arm.

The alligator was killed shortly after taking the bite. Too many alligators, not enough birdies. I am sure Terry would agree.

Opinion, Pages 4 on 10/22/2009

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