PAR FOR THE COURSE

Owen McClain

Teaching Professional for The Links at Moses Pointe

Growing up around the game of golf, I had my heroes and role models.  Jack Nicklaus for one. Arnie, no doubt. Gary Player for sure.  I learned a lot about life from my involvement with the game and its personalities, things like integrity, family values, faith in God, respect for others, personal accountability, and the importance of physical conditioning. Of course, life happens, and with it a sense of balance, such as reconciling "perseverence" with "getting a clue". 

For what its worth, I've found a new hero in the game, and his name is Manuel de los Santos. A 3-handicap amateur playing in the Dunhill Links Championships this weekend. You can check out a story at www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/europeantour/6252470/Manuel-De-Los-Santos-steals-the-show-in-the-Dunhill-Links-Championship.html .

Watching this man play the game will challenge all of us.  He's got game. Competing at the home of golf, St. Andrews, Scotland. For all four days of the tournament he is walking the course, not riding, as the game should be played.  And in case you haven't opened the link, the man has only one leg.

For those who don't believe they can walk a golf course, a man who lost his leg can. For those who don't believe they can play better, a man who lost his leg does, in perfect balance.

To borrow from Dallas Holm, "When God closes a door, look for a window."

Owen McClain is a golf instructor at The Links at Moses Pointe. More about him can be found at www.owenmcclaingolf.com