At 2 p.m. today, my (sort of) high school alma mater kicks off its Homecoming game. It's not just any game; it's Country Day Rams vs Burroughs Bombers (MICDS--merger of my alma mater, Mary Institute, and Country Day.) At that exact time, my oldest brother, Ram QB #1 in 1967, will walk his oldest daughter down the aisle.
After the ceremony, I will join my youngest brother and his wife, both Mizzou alums, at his house to watch our Tigers demolish Delaware State.
At 6, we will head to the wedding reception at Bellerive, the site of the 1965 US Open and several other major golf tournaments. In 1965, the father of the groom was a caddy at the Open and our parents were volunteers. Little brother and I were stuck with a babysitter for the week. Older brother went on to play golf four years at Yale and has won the Bellerive member championship a few times.
Last night, the groom's parents hosted a welcome party at Greenbriar Country Club, where my brothers and I grew up playing golf and swimming on the swim team. Greenbriar is filled with memories of ordering "suicides" at the snack bar, awards nights in the banquet room, splitting my chin open on the edge of the pool while finishing the butterfly leg of a medley relay, my brothers challenging me to putting contests on the practice green. And my mother's hole-in-one on the 16th hole. The only one in our family of golfers with an ace.
The groom's father shared with me that he had invited my brother to play golf at Greenbriar earlier this year. After finishing the first hole, my brother stopped before approaching the second tee. In 1970, he and my dad had birdied the first hole in the father-and-son tournament. My dad had crushed his drive and sunk a great putt. He then collapsed on the second tee. His first heart attack. It was an overwhelming to my brother 46 years later. That memory now binds these two families.
Today's bride qualified for the girls high school state golf championship. The groom works for a tournament management company, contracted by the PGA. They met playing club golf in college. She's an Indiana grad; he went to Xavier. Tees and hoops for days for this couple.
My dad passed away in 1976. My mom passed away three years ago. They filled our lives with love of sports--participating and watching. How they would both love to be here this weekend. All the women in our family are wearing a piece of my mother's jewelry. I suspect my brothers might have a tee or two in their pockets. (Do tuxes have pockets?)
Youngsters, take your children to games. Teach them to be proud fans. Share and cherish the memories. They will last forever.
After the ceremony, I will join my youngest brother and his wife, both Mizzou alums, at his house to watch our Tigers demolish Delaware State.
At 6, we will head to the wedding reception at Bellerive, the site of the 1965 US Open and several other major golf tournaments. In 1965, the father of the groom was a caddy at the Open and our parents were volunteers. Little brother and I were stuck with a babysitter for the week. Older brother went on to play golf four years at Yale and has won the Bellerive member championship a few times.
Last night, the groom's parents hosted a welcome party at Greenbriar Country Club, where my brothers and I grew up playing golf and swimming on the swim team. Greenbriar is filled with memories of ordering "suicides" at the snack bar, awards nights in the banquet room, splitting my chin open on the edge of the pool while finishing the butterfly leg of a medley relay, my brothers challenging me to putting contests on the practice green. And my mother's hole-in-one on the 16th hole. The only one in our family of golfers with an ace.
The groom's father shared with me that he had invited my brother to play golf at Greenbriar earlier this year. After finishing the first hole, my brother stopped before approaching the second tee. In 1970, he and my dad had birdied the first hole in the father-and-son tournament. My dad had crushed his drive and sunk a great putt. He then collapsed on the second tee. His first heart attack. It was an overwhelming to my brother 46 years later. That memory now binds these two families.
Today's bride qualified for the girls high school state golf championship. The groom works for a tournament management company, contracted by the PGA. They met playing club golf in college. She's an Indiana grad; he went to Xavier. Tees and hoops for days for this couple.
My dad passed away in 1976. My mom passed away three years ago. They filled our lives with love of sports--participating and watching. How they would both love to be here this weekend. All the women in our family are wearing a piece of my mother's jewelry. I suspect my brothers might have a tee or two in their pockets. (Do tuxes have pockets?)
Youngsters, take your children to games. Teach them to be proud fans. Share and cherish the memories. They will last forever.
