Three years ago I was asked would I like to play golf in Mayo for a week. Sean and Marita said it would do me good!! Good offers are thin on the ground so I said yes without too much arm-twisting. What started out a once off has turned out a very pleasant three-year affair, turning into four this year.
Just to flesh out the story a little bit more, I really did think it would be a once off, along with everybody else. My recollections of that first week are still fresh in my memory. The company was first class. The weather was superb. The food was great. The craic was mighty. I do believe if you get any one of the above on a holiday you would not complain. For me it was and still is a wonderful memory of the first week away together.
The bonus for me was that I met some very nice people and have become very friendly with all of them. "What's that?" I hear you say!!! Well there is an exception to every rule. It's not possible to like everybody 100%. To put it another way, we are all "handicapped" one way or another. Some of us don't see all too well, hear too well, play cards, golf, drive, drink, tell jokes, play pool all that well. We all do our best at what we are good at. You could say we gave it a go for the week and the result is there for all to see. Our fourth year is coming fast. June is but a few months away. I really am looking forward to renewing friendships where I left off last year.
Now our second year as I remember it was better in every way. Another dimension was added to our week's holiday. The Americans landed, rolled up their sleeves and got stuck into the week's enjoyment especially the one who didn't play golf. He had a ball or two and so did we all.
We were all relaxed a little more, the weather, food and even the golf was taking a turn for the better...that is until somebody thought about handicapping some of us. Now take me for example. The auld eyes don't see too well, the hearing is sort of weak, I find it hard to beak 90 and he goes and handicaps me further, well I ask you. God bless him, he is a trier and God loves a trier.
At the risk of being boring and monotonous repeating myself on how good our holiday was, granted reading this report could be boring, but playing golf in very good weather and with very good company, NEVER!
By way of introduction to last year's trip out west to Co. Mayo and surrounds, may I tell you a little story? Many years ago while still but a lad, somebody thrust a gun into my hand, pointed me in a northerly direction, and said "Go seek, find and destroy." I managed to extradite myself from that awful position, only to find myself in a similar position today. Somebody has stuck a pen in my hand and told me "Go seek and destroy". How on earth do I get out of this after my tongue ran away with itself at Tom and Ann's party? Chris brought the wine, a lovely vintage and after one glass I don't remember much else.
To be fair to Dermot the handicapping worked really well. We got a new and deserving champion in young Dave, but who came second only a shot behind, your friend and mine "The Bandit". Was it luck he lost by one or miscalculated by two? That is the question. Watch this space. Good luck to Dave if he thinks he can make it two in a row. He has my sympathy, just look at what happened to me.
If we were baking a cake we have all the ingredients to bake a good one. Three years making one better than the other it even shows in the golf. Hump the handicapper, go out and have fun and enjoy yourselves.
Take care of this year's review. It could end up a one off masterpiece.