A Number One Golfer Versus Mainstream Culture

I believe that from the time we are born, each of usplayers in the world compete, the inspired fourteen
has a burning ambition, not only to strive for success,year old, who has never swung a club, asked his
but also to achieve it.father if he could take some golf lessons.
Just observe the determination of a not yet crawlingThe father agreed to arrange his first lesson for the
baby to somehow reach the desired object justfollowing evening. "But I'll have to wait twenty four
beyond his reach. Consider the heroic efforts of ahours," the boy disappointedly replied. In any event,
child battling to take his first steps. Unfortunately,the boy patiently waited and the lessons were a
somewhere along the way , those qualities ofgreat success.
perseverance and determination often fade away --Two years and thousands of golf balls later, the boy
to be replaced by a tendency towards either minimaltold his parents that he wanted to leave school and
effort, or, in some cases, a readiness to give updevote more time to his golf. "And why would you
altogether.want to do that?" his parents asked. The boy
Why? Why does a child of five, determined to climbinformed them that he was going to be the best golf
the highest branch of a tree become, at twenty one,player in the world. "But..." his parents protested "the
just another failure swelling the ranks of the dolechances are only one in a million." "That's right'" said
queue? What happens?the boy, "and I'm going to be that one." The boy left
I believe the answer lies rooted somewhere in theschool, and went on to realize his dream.
following story.His name was Nick Faldo.
The story is about a young teenager who has justIncidentally, the Faldo story was drawn to my
decided what he wants to do with his life. Afterattention by another sporting great, Ivan Lendl.
attending a golf tournament where he sees the best