Ahh, golf.  My least favorite of Dirt Therapies.  Jake loves it.  I tolerate it.  No sport can make me angrier, more frustrated, or expel the dirtiest of words from my vocabulary than the game of golf.  I can say that I do love getting out there in a park-like setting, watching my husband do what he loves to do, and play ‘caddie’ for the day.  I get to drive the cart and take pictures – not a bad gig.

This past weekend, Jake’s mom, Carolyn, and close friend, Minnie, came up from the western parts of Texas to play in an annual golf tournament hosted by the hospital that I work at.  They played two courses on Friday, played the tournament on Saturday, and played again on Sunday.  All. Different. Courses!  This is what they do.  This is how they get their Dirt Therapy.  They golf.  A LOT!  So I can say that it was a great time, showing them some of the most beautiful courses in Oregon and experiencing Oregon though the eyes of people who normally play courses that look like the Salome, Texas golf course in the movie Tin Cup.

Friday started with Springhill Golf Club in Albany, Oregon.  If any place looks like a tranquil park setting, it’s definitely this one!

Here is a bit of info on the course itself:

• 18 Holes
• Open to the public
• Six par 3s, Six par 4s, and Six par 5s
• Rates listed here
• Carts available
• Golf Shop, Restaurant, Swimming
• Address:  155 NW Country Club Lane  Albany, OR  97321
• Phone:  (541) 926-6059

Misty:  “Jake, why do you love golf so much?”

Jake:  “Oh good lord…  I think it’s because it’s a game you play against yourself and it gives me a good reason to be outside.  We live in an area where there are a lot of phenomenal golf courses.”

Misty:  “By that standard, you could play croquet.”

Jake:  “N’uh.  Croquet you play with other people.”

Misty:  “Yeah, but you can play golf with other people too.”

Jake:  “I. Just. Like. Golf.”

Misty:  “Fair enough.  What did you like about Springhill?”

Jake:  “It was a park-like setting with good holes, easy to walk, and fall is a great time of year to play there.  The leaves were turning, making it a pretty place to be.  The gentleman working the pro shop was a really nice, personable guy, who engaged in our experience.  That is a big deal for me.”

Can I interject here and say that it is really difficult to interview Jake when he is in the middle of a football game during a very heated season of fantasy football?  Anyway, here are some pictures of Springhill while I’m trying to engage Jake…

As I was posting these pictures, Jake says to me “Weren’t we in an interview?”  <Face palm>

I’m moving on…

So as I was saying earlier, Jake’s mom, Carolyn is here for the week.  I am one of those very privileged people in life that can say they have an outstanding mother-in-law.  I love this woman!  Jake and I married when we were the young little age of 19, so I’ve had a lifetime already with her and still wouldn’t trade her for the world.  As I mentioned, I only tolerate golf.  Carolyn is also a golf lover, as is her close friend, Minnie.  This is fantastic because this is a great way for mother and only son to bond.

Misty: “Mom, tell me why you love golf.”

Carolyn:  (to herself) “Why do I love golf?…  Why do I love golf?”  “For several reasons… it keeps me active, it is a stress reliever, it is something that I can do with my baby boy, and it’s the one thing that I can do for me.”

She sits back looking rather satisfied with herself on that one. 🙂

Misty:  “What does the concept of Dirt Therapy mean to you?”

Carolyn:  “Outside, in the fresh air, feeling the sun on your face, or the wind in your hair, and being able to just soak up the sunshine, the freshness, and the feeling of being in control.”

Misty:  “Can you elaborate on that ‘control’?”

Carolyn:  “Absolutely.  Um, so many things in our life we have no control over.  There are different things in our lives that we have to do, like pay bills.  Being in control, as it relates to golf, I personally, am responsible for the way I hit the ball.  On the first tee, I can be stressed with everyday things, work or whatever… but as soon as I hit that ball, no matter the shot, the stress goes with the ball.  From that point forward, I relax, and rejuvenate.  I have room to rejuvenate.  Does that make sense?”

Misty:  “Maybe I’m looking at golf all wrong.”

Carolyn:  “Its not about hitting a perfect shot all the time, because I’m not going to.  It’s about just hitting the ball.”

Jake:  (interjecting) “I guess mom is a better interviewee than me.”

Misty:  “We’ll get back to you later…”

Misty:  “What did you think of Springhill?”

Carolyn:  “It was a very pretty course, friendly staff… wasn’t a hard course.  I would play it again.  And again.  And again.”

Misty:  “Not touching so much on the course, itself, but about the experience of being out there…”

Carolyn: “The experience for me (at Springhill)… let me get my words…  I can’t put into words, because first course, new course, with my boy, you and Minnie for this trip…  I just have to stop and take it all in because I’m with y’all.”

Misty:  “What was your score on that course?”

Carolyn:  “Jake what was our score on that course? (Jake answers) … 4 under!”

 

 

Misty:  “How often do you play golf?”

Carolyn:  “Usually 3 to 4 times a week, depending on the weather.”

Misty:  “How does golf in West Texas differ from golfing in Oregon?”

Carolyn:  “There is no comparison.  At home, it is dry and the balls roll forever.  The course is pretty in it’s own way but it can’t compare with the beauty of Oregon.  The air is fresher, lighter, cleaner, its green.

Misty:  “And the company?”

Carolyn:  “Oh my gosh.  My boy, you and the grandkids…. I can’t even.”

At this point, mom is about to tear up here so I’m gonna interject with MORE pictures!

 

Misty:  “Last question, for now… You’re joining us on our DT adventures when you move up, right?”

Carolyn:  “YES!  That is the goal and that is the plan!  I may not be able to make it up those mountains with y’all but I’ll be there waiting when you’re done.”

And now for Minnie!

Misty:  “Minnie!  You’re turn!  Why do you love that infuriating sport called golf?”

Minnie:  “Hahaha!  Let’s see…  Jeez, I don’t know.  It’s a sport you can play all your life, you don’t have to be super-duper strong, and you don’t have to work out – just saying.

Misty:  “I’m going to say the same thing to you I said to Jake – you could play croquet!”

Jake:  “Whatever!”

Misty:  “How would you compare Springhill to those West Texas courses?”

Minnie:  “Oh my gosh, there is no comparison.  Good lord.  Of course, I’ve not played very many in Texas.”

Misty:  (obviously bragging here) “So how are you going to go back to playing golf in the desert after being here?”

Minnie:  “With my eyes closed and my memories… hahaha!”

All in all, it was a good day.  Personally, I didn’t play… at all.  BUT, I sure did enjoy watching my hunky hubs, mom-in-law, and Minnie play the holes, enjoy each other, ‘oooh and ahhh’ over the views, and soak up that thing called Dirt Therapy.

That’s what I love about the concept.  The diversity.  I don’t have to love the sport to love the concept.  I don’t have to limit myself (or anyone else) to one particular aspect of the idea.  I had a great time just observing and disconnecting.  I got to experience their version of DT through their eyes.  That in itself is pretty extraordinary.

On a side note, the universe gave me a good man, who loves and respects his mother, puts up with me, takes pride in this his family, and loves the outdoors as much as I.  I got it made in the shade, y’all.  And with that, I’m going to share more pictures of my fellow.

Peace, Love & Dirt.

~Misty