My regular golf buddy, who I play 90% of my rounds with, isn't coming back to the club next season. He's retired, but his wife is the breadwinner - they're living off of her salary until they both reach the point where they can rely on her pension/retirement, which is still 6-7 years away.
She just lost her job, effective December 31st of what is left of this year. She plays too... great player in her own right, has won the lady's club championship 3 of the past 4 seasons. So obviously golf takes a backseat given their situation. She's probably looking at having to relocate down south for them to remotely replace her income and standard of living, which would be somewhat offset because of the cheaper cost of living down south.
So that's part of my personal doldrums at the moment... Not that I can't find other groups to play with at my club, but that the guy I've shared 90% of my golf experience with these past 5-6 years will no longer be around (unless something miraculous happens). To say that I will miss his company would be a huge understatement... by virtue of both him and myself being retired - we've spent a lot of time together off the course as well. He has essentially become my best friend, the guy I can call up on a whim and say, "Hey - let's go grab lunch somewhere" on a rainy day and he's there.
Life will certainly go on. Maybe I'll find something deep within over the coming winter months to reenergize my golf ambitions and make the best of 2017. But it just won't be the same. That said, I'll have to figure out a new routine and find another guy to join our regular group. It'll take time. I just wish he wasn't leaving. 🙁
If I do find the motivation to maintain my tournament play next season, it will primarily consist of my ability to lose weight and get back some of my flexibility and mobility. The talent has been there for a number of years, but my lazy attitude with regard to my obesity and my lack of athleticism has certainly held me back. I just got back into Weight Watchers and am contemplating a boxing club membership... they have various boxing sessions each week, I could literally go every day of the week if I wanted. It might do my golf game a world of good to get out of the house and get some exercise, not to mention increase my lifespan.
Can't stay where I'm at now... the consequences of doing nothing are far too serious. I do not want to play the waiting game for a heart attack or stroke, so it's pretty much cut-and-dried as far as what needs to be done.
