No Running Away – In Golf or in Faith

One of the ways in which Kay and I dated during high school was to play golf at the local Country Club, which thankfully happened to be semi-private. Amazingly, I could pick up Kay, check into the pro shop, pick up two buckets of balls for the practice range,  pay for two afternoon rounds of golf with cart, and enjoy supper at the Club cheaper than going to a movie. The green fee at the time (ready for this?) was only $1.04. What good times we had as we both enjoyed the open air, the natural beauty of the outdoors, the smell of fresh cut grass, the gentle summer breezes and the beautiful sunsets. Six hours of fun and fellowship at least once a week.

There happened to be a day that I was free and wanted to play, but Kay was already committed to work and other commitments. I packed my clubs and took off for a round by myself. As I approached the tee on the 8th hole, I quickly noticed another solo golfer, an older gentleman, beginning to putt out. I’m an inpatient golfer and have always disliked slow play. The waiting breaks my rhythm and facilitates wild hooks and slices. (One has to have a good excuse, right?)

The number 8 hole on the home course is a par 3 over water, surrounded by a beautiful array of southern pines. It is a picturesque hole. Always makes me think of Augusta. When the golfer ahead of me made his putt the thought occurred to me that he would most likely walk immediately to the next hole and record his score on the way thereby allowing me the opportunity to tee up and swing away. Gotta keep that rhythm, right? Well, as I gripped and ripped it, guess what happened? After retrieving his ball from the cup, the golfer STOPPED to tabulate his strokes on his scorecard. Believe it or not, timing is everything, I hit one of my best approach shots to the 8th hole in the history of the game. Nearly a hole in one, the ball landed within a foot of the stranger ahead of me, a no, no in golf. One never tees off until the green is clear, unless your Steve (Arnold Palmer) Keeler. The older gentleman looked startled. He turned around and looked squarely in my direction. My first impulse was to drop my clubs and run! And yet, I knew that wouldn’t be the proper thing to do. I made a slow walk to the green in order to apologize and take whatever came my way. As I walked onto the green, the older gentleman extended his hand and introduced himself. I apologized for my mistake and was completely surprised when he invited me to finish the round with him. I accepted.

The story gets more interesting. My new friend happened to be none other than George Pipgras. If you “Google” his name you can read his personal history. George was a former Major League Baseball player, a right handed pitcher known as the “The Danish Viking,” who spent the majority of his career playing for the New York Yankees. Personal friends included people like Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. He pitched and won a number of World Series Games during his career and after he retired from active play became an umpire in the Major Leagues.

It so happened that George was a widower who happened to fall in love and marry Mattie Mae Cooper Dixon, a widow and a very close friend of Kay’s mother and father. After the wedding, George became “Uncle George” to Kay. I remember the invitation that was extended to Kay and I to join Uncle George and “Mattie Mae for supper one summer evening along with Kay’s parents. What a night that was. Looking at pieces of correspondence received from the Babe and other notable players. All these years later, Kay has in her possession a photograph given to her by “Uncle George” as a gift. The photo is an original taken by the Associated Press in old Yankee Stadium of the pitching battery for the Yankees with “Uncle George” standing in the middle. The year was 1928 when “Uncle George went 24-13 and the Yankees defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 4-0 for the World Series Crown.

The Old Testament Lesson for today from the Daily Lectionary is recorded in Exodus 2:1-22.  I invite you to read it. It is about the birth of Moses and how his mother could no longer hide him from the Egyptians. She placed him in a basket and then lowered her son and the basket into river among the reeds only to be discovered by Pharaoh’s daughter. Moses, of course, survives to one day lead his people in the great journey of the Exodus. What I take away from this part of Moses’ story is the reminder that life can look tenuous, dangerous and uncertain and if we are not careful we can begin to buckle under the daily pressure and stress that comes with wondering how are we going to make it?

Throughout his lifetime, Moses encountered one difficult situation after another. What are the chances that a Hebrew mother could put her child in a basket and push that basket down the river and have that child survive much less that child serving as an instrument of God, called and appointed to lead his people out of captivity? What are the chances that I could come so close to hitting a prominent citizen and sports figure with a golf ball, and have that person give his hand in friendship? With God, all things are possible. (Luke 1:37) In Christ, nothing should ever surprise us!

Turning to the weekend, everyone is anxious about the present course of the coronavirus and how it will affect the next few weeks and beyond. We think about our family and friends, our work and future. It is impossible not to, but let me also add that I believe God is present in the world and in the midst of all human suffering and worry. The next few weeks might prove to be tough sledding, but we, who are a people of faith, grounded and rooted in Christ, can make a big difference. History tells a wonderful story about Christianity and how the Christian faith has made a significant impact on the world during periods of calamity and disease. When people suffered from the plague and folks ran for their safety, it was the Christians who remained behind to nurse and render care for the sick. Heads turned and questions asked, “Who are these people?” Christians are not a people who panic or run. We meet our problems and crisis of the day head on and with God’s help, we live with hope and mover forward even on the days when the sun doesn’t shine.

Yes, I remember that summer day on the home course, hole # 8. I wanted so much to turn my back and run, but I didn’t. I faced the situation at hand and look what I gained. A friend, a new golfing partner, a wise gentleman whom I could visit, ask questions and trust, a man that I also came to know and call by name, “Uncle George.”

in closing, the attachment contains the Sunday bulletin. You can expect to receive another congregational email tomorrow and the days thereafter until such time the Holy Spirit no longer shares fresh ideas or the time comes for me to stop because the crisis has ended, whichever comes first. Directions will also be given tomorrow and Sunday morning how you can access morning worship conducted with and among the people of the Sea Island Presbyterian Church. In the meantime, we run the race, we fight the good fight as we follow the guidance of our public health officials, medical professionals, civic leaders and government agencies; as we remain calm in a time of distress, extend compassion to those who are suffering, and pray for the healing of the world. In Christ +

—
Steve Keeler, Pastor