Perspective from the 19^th Hole 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.

Those of us who follow golf came through another season-ending Tour Championship late last week and over the weekend.

Guess who won?

No surprise.  Scottie Scheffler, cementing a bid for his fifth “best golfer of the year award.”

But, beyond Scheffler, my thoughts over the four-day tournament helped to produce this conclusion:  No one, not even top-level PGA Tour players, has a perfect golf swing – or perhaps there is not such a thing.

Consider these examples over the last few days.

• Rory McElroy:  He played well enough so that appeared he had a chance to win.  Until he didn’t.  Think about his golf swing.  He often swings so hard that you think he will leave his golf shoes behind.  When it works, as it often does, his drives go a prodigious distance – and perfect swing or not – he remains one of the best golfers in the world.

• Adam Scott:  At 46 years of age, he was the oldest player in the field.  He still has one of the best swings in the game, nearly perfect.  In addition to being competitive with the youngsters, Scott is known for that swing and, if you want to copy something, try that.

• Peter Gerard:  He was one of the youngest players in the field, but, if you were trying to mimic a great swing, you wouldn’t follow Gerard.  He kills the ball.  If I tried his swing, I’d screw myself into the ground.

• Victor Hovland:  One of only two Norwegians in the field, Holland came close to winning, but talked all tournament long about how he couldn’t find his best swing.  It was his undoing on the final day when he started in the lead, but didn’t win.  Still, hooray for Norskies, my grandparents homeland.

• Scottie Scheffler:  He is the best golfer in the world, bar none.  But, look, at his swing.  Better yet, look at his feet!  They go everywhere.  No matter.  He still wins, now surpassing Tiger Woods to get to first on the list of career money winnings, topping $130 million.  And, just think about the money his great caddy, Ted Scott, earns by his side.

• Chris Gotterup:  He has made a golfing name for himself in the last year or so, but, when he swings, look at his set up.  Or don’t look at it.  It appears he would be hitting the ball far left.  But he comes through in a way that, no kidding, often produces a draw.

Is there a conclusion these stories?   

Yes.  Mine.  It is to develop your own swing in golf, listen to solid instructors along the say, and then play your game, no one else’s.

Plus, I will never look like Adam Scott.