This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus to use an image from my favorite sport, golf.  Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all my professional positions, including as press secretary in Washington, D.C. for a Democrat Congressman from Oregon (Les AuCoin), as an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, as press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and as a private sector lobbyist.  This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.  I could have called this blog “Middle Ground,” for that is what I long for in both politics and golf.  The middle ground is often where the best public policy decisions lie.  And it is where you want to be on a golf course.

Memories are interesting things.  Fortunately, in my old age, I will have the ability to look back on what happened in the past.

So it was that my recent on-line edition of Links Magazine carrier a story that brought back fond memories for me – memories about 30 years ago.

The story listed 10 courses designed by prolific architect Donald Ross that it was possible for anyone to play.

One of them:   French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana.

Why is this a memory for me?

Well, son, Eric, when he was a young golfer, he was invited to play in a few American Junior Golf Association tournaments around the country.  One was in French Lick.

I went along with Eric as his caddy and the trip was memorable for several reasons.

THE TRIP ITSELF:  We flew out of Portland, Oregon, heading to Dallas, Texas, but, on the way, we learned that a substantial cloud cover had closed the Dallas Airport.  {Today, so-called “fog busting” technology might have made it possible to land in Dallas.]

So, we were diverted to Amarillo, Texas, where we sat on the tarmac for about four hours before being given permission to head to Dallas.

Then, in Dallas, we were late for a connection to Louisville, Kentucky, but we got another, later flight.

Of course, that made us late in Louisville to obtain the rental car we had reserved.  The normal rental car office was closed, so we were able to go the other side of the airport to rental office for business and, there, we got our car.

But, it was midnight.

In the dark, we headed off to French Lick, about a couple hours away.

But, remember back then, no one had GPS systems, so we looked at a map in the dark and tried to make our way to French Lick.

Surprisingly, we made it, but, to this day, I have no idea how.

THE GOLF COURSE:  According to Links Magazine:

“It’s a straight shot 60 miles west of Louisville into the heart of ‘Larry Bird Country’ to play this 105-year-old classic that was supersized in 2006, yet with shot values restored, by native Hoosier Lee Schmidt of Schmidt-Curley Design.  

“Rolling, open farmland greets players today, just as it did when Walter Hagen captured the 1924 PGA Championship here.  [Or, when son Eric played the course.]

“The wild, easily four-puttable 8th green, which falls steeply from back to front, will test even the most skilled flatstick specialist.”

Frankly, I don’t remember much about the course, although it is reputed to be one of Donald Ross’ best.

What I do remember is that Eric played well.

ABOUT FRENCH LICK:  There was clue about this in the phrase above —  “Larry Bird Country.”

French Lick was the birthplace of one of America’s best-ever basketball players, Larry Bird.

He was called “The Hick from French Lick” and, if you ever get to the town of French Lick, Bird memorabilia are everywhere.

On the evening of our first day in French Lick, all young golfers and their families were invited to shoot baskets at the high school gymnasium where Bird played. 

Bird pictures on every wall.  Great fun!

And, overall, it was trip for the ages.  Just glad I got to go along with Eric.

And, to put a final point on it, we made it home in Oregon easily and in good shape.