At the club I stopped at the bag drop and people descended on the car and unloaded the clubs. I was asked my tee time and said, I was unsure as we were Playing with Mr. Ford and the look I got made me laugh and I was told that the tee time was 1:00. I parked the car we grabbed our bags and went to the Pro Shop. I asked for 2 dozen of the latest Titleist golf balls. I was told that non members were unable to purchase items. I smiled and said that I was a new member and that I had not been given any information. He asked my name and I gave it to him and said we were meeting The Pro for lunch and was told that he would be expecting me in the clubhouse. I said thanks and Cole and I headed towards the dining room. We were greeted by the club manager and I said good afternoon Clark and he said Mr. Simmons please follow me. Cole, just looked on in amazement.
At the table The Pro and a younger guy stood and introductions were made. We sat down and a waiter immediately appeared and drink orders were taken and I ordered an Arnold Palmer and Cole said he would have the same. Conversation was light and I said, I need to get a locker and my magic number and was told that would be ready at the pro shop. Drew, the associate of Bob, the pro, excused himself and was involved with the manager and said that those issues were resolved. I said thanks. The drinks came and food orders were placed. Then Bob said, Mike thanks for the caddie scholarship but why is. I said, an exception was made for my membership and I appreciated that, besides I could. He said that they had raised 100k and had stopped accepting donations. I laughed and said, well I guess 220k is a great start. I told him that he would have to manage the program and set the parameters. He agreed and said that Drew would be second in command and that there would be a group of members making that final decision. I told him that these were scholarships for colleges and not grants to his older caddies and was told that was a given.
Then I said, you guys have really complicated things as I figured the Foundation would have 120k in this and the club would have 20k. Now it is almost equal and we need to workout where the money sits. I was told that they discussed it and that the Clubs attorneys would be talking with Tim and work that out, however they were ready to let the Foundation hold the money with safeguards. I said great and started on my salad. The subject turned to golf and I said that I was hoping for Oakmont easy and was told that would only be slightly the case and the greens were rolled yesterday and cut this morning. It was my turn to laugh and Cole was asked something's about himself and he said his family were members at St. Clair and that he was a 5 handicap. I was asked about my handicap and said a 4 at South Hills. Then I asked Drew if he was joining us today and I was told he would not be and lunch was an introduction because of his potential involvement in the scholarship program. I looked about host and asked, so who is the 4th. He laughed and said, Mike you know the guy and I took a chance and he was free, we have been friends for a long time and he has always wanted to play here. Hearing that I saw Cole visibly relax.
We finished eating and headed to the Pro Shop. The golf balls were ready and I was shown my locker and Cole was set up in a locker beside me. We put golf shoes on and went outside and were told we had 15 minutes did we want to hit balls or putt? I said definitely the putting green. On the putting green I hit a put towards a hole 15' away and he went right into a hole 25' feet away and Cole said great putt. I laughed and pointed to the hole I was putting towards and he said, damn. Just then I saw the Pro and Coach Weston exit the pro shop and I went over and gave him a big hug and said, shit Coach I wanted to bring you here but this works. I looked for my clubs and saw they were on the first tee and a guy about my age possibly a little older was standing behind my bag. I went over and he took my putter and said Good afternoon Mr. Simmons, I'm Liam your caddie today. For some strange reason we had individual caddies and they were all about my age. I said Liam, walk with me a minute. I asked about him and found out that he was a college sophomore and had caddied here for 3 years. I said, please cut the Mr. Simmons shit and call me Mike, I'll go crazy being called Mr. Simmons for 4 hours. Then I said I'll tell the Pro, fuck the rules and he laughed. I told our host that neither Cole or I could go 4 hours being called Mister and the caddies were told that just Cole and I could be called by our first names and that Coach Weston was Coach. I asked what tees we were playing and I was told Blue and the distance was a little over 6400 yards. I asked about the professional tees and was told over 7200 yards. I was assured we could have fun on the Blue tees but the pro tees were no fun at all. I laughed and said well we will see about that but not today. The Pro said guys, handicaps aside no one playing here the first time breaks 80. I said, ok want to make this interesting? I said, lift clean and place and was told, we don't do that here, ball down. I said, I'm still good what's the bet? He said winner gives $100 for the caddies to split. I said that's a bet and looked at Cole and asked if he wanted in? He said, I don't have that much with me but if you cover me, I'm good when we get home. I said, well I'll cover it on my tab, in the unlikely event I lose. I was told that would work.
The first hole is a very long 441yard straight away downhill par 4. All the drives were solid and on the fairway Coach hit first and was short and Right. Cole hit a great shot it was a little right of the pin but on the front fringe. Liam said I was about165 yards and that as I saw with Cole it won't bounce and if the shot was even 6 inches left of the pin it was toast. Then he said one club less that your usual 160. I took a 7 iron and aimed about 20 feet left but pulled it a touch and my natural draw landed the ball right at the pin but about the about a foot left. It seemed to stop and Liam just pointed and the ball started to move and it gained speed and disappeared in rough. Liam took and cleaned my club and I watched the Pro hit it 15 feel right and pin high. At the green. We actually had to look for the ball, it was in about 6" of rough. I looked at Liam and he just shrugged. They were all watching and asked for my sand wedge. I figured there was one play. I took a couple of practice swings and took a beep breath. I treated it like a sand shot and swung hard and the ball popped in the air and half way up hit the pin and fell straight down 1' away an easy par. Cole chipped close and there were 3 pars and Coach had a 5. Liam said, damn Mike that was a great shot, the third one and he laughed.
The round went on like this with Liam being more and more help. Cole was playing out of his mind and Bob was just just watching. We got to the Par 3 8th hole and 255 yards. With more sand than the outer banks. Liam handed me a 5wood and said smooth swing the green would be great but anywhere but the sand. Smooth swing and just do what you are doing. I put the ball on the tee and Liam said Mike, no tee. I shrugged and addressed the ball and took a smooth swing and hit a high shot with my typical draw and the ball landed on the green and stopped 10' feet away. I handed Liam the club and he said Cole is 2 up make the damn putt. Cole hit his first bad shot of the day and it buried in the sand. Cole ended up with a 4 and I thought damn we could be tie. I looked at the putt and said this can't be right a put with no break. Liam looked at it and said, no wonder you not the best putter it's a cup outside left and hit it firm. I looked at it again and still didn't see that but I thought trust him and damn he was right.
Walking back across the bridge to the 9th tee, I put my arm around Coal and said bro, I bet I beat you. That hole was the reverse of #1 long an uphill. Cole and I both had pars and we both finished the front nine 2 over par 37. We were having drinks and walking to the 10 tee and Cole and I were asked when we played last. We both said except for hitting a few balls earlier in the week a couple of months ago. He shook his head and said that's two of the best rounds on the front I've seen in a while. He asked about the caddies and I said great and Cole said mine is fantastic. Then I said not to morph back to work issues we should make the scholarship a grand a year up to four years. He laughed and said well if it is a thousand a year we have 200 years to use the money. I laughed and said well let's talk about that later right now, I'm thinking 37 and he laughed.
We got to the last hole another long 440 yard par 4 with bunkers all over the place and Cole and I were still tie. A par would be a 78. On the tee Liam handed me a 3 wood and said simply take that bunker out of play the one at 280, it is super deep, you can get out of the other easily. Basically I'm saying take a 5 and run like hell. I said, well you have been right all day so what the fuck. I drilled the 3 wood low and long right down the middle and I was thrilled, until I wasn't. The ball settled in an unprepared divot. I just looked at it and shocked my head. I was about 180 and there was sand all over the place and a big ditch right. Liam said lay up and I said I'm not doing that. Look the lie sucks but I have seen worse. A 5 iron might make the front. He said, ok smooth swing and don't over swing and have fun. The shot went off perfectly and the ball hit just short of the green and took a big bounce and ended about 25 feet from the pin. I thought great an easy 2 putt. Cole hit his second shot in a green side bunker. His bunker shot was fantastic and was 3 feet at the most. I two putted and watched as Cole stressed over his 3 foot putt. I was just smiling and was glad it wasn't me, but damn he drilled it right in the center and it would have been 10 feet past if he missed. We all shook hands and Cole and I shot 78, Coach shot 84 and Bob shot 70.
I thanked Liam and said, I enjoyed the round and would be asking for him. He said what? I laughed and said dude, I'm a member. He looked at me and said no shit? I went to my bag found my wallet and took out a business card and said, call me. We headed towards the men's grill and I thought shit, I'm underage. I was told that it was ok today but going forward they would need time to figure it all out, it wasn't so much me but my guests and I said, don't worry about it, the patio will always work. While we were having drinks Coach said Mike, was today fun for you? I said absolutely, why? You are so intense and focused, how can that be fun? Coach you never say that during the season, if fact I remember being told go get head out of my ass and get focused. I was given a challenge and asshole over there almost shit pants and made a 3' putt on the last hole to tie me. So yes it was fun, I thrive on that. Then he asked so when Cole made that putt what did you think? Well, I thought good for him and he played by the rules and as long as that happened I'm good, in fact very good.
We talked more about the scholarship program. Then I said that I had to get going and was asked where I wanted the clubs? I said please set Cole's by the car and keep mine here. That surprised everyone as South Hills would be much closer. I laughed and said, they are custom and I'll just order a set for South Hills, no problem and Coach just laughed out loud. We showered, changed clothes and on the way to the car, I called Carrie. I asked if she was still up for dinner and she said that she just got home but absolutely. I asked if 7:00 worked she said yes but somewhere simple. I said I love you and got in the car.
On the way home Cole was very quiet and I asked, dude why so quiet, did you have fun? He replied, Mike it was awesome the course was everything I expected and it isn't even playing that hard yet, we both struggled some on the back nine, shit 41 isn't that good. He looked at me shook his head and asked, so how are you so relaxed in every situation. The circles you run in totally amaze me. Cole, dad made all this possible with the Trust and sometimes I could simply kill him for doing it. For the most part, I see opportunities and simply take advantage. Cole, at some point I fill you in on the Trust, but bro we need to slow down. Then I said you realize we both lost a bet today? What the fuck we talking about we tied? I said correct, but the bet was that we would win and we didn't. He smiled and said totally awesome. Cole, I'm just going to get you shit faced drunk and find out who the fuck you are.
At home I went to my room, freshened up, ran my fingers through my hair and left to get Carrie. When I got there she was sitting in the family room and I got a big hug. I asked about dinner and she said, I don't care somewhere no one knows us. I said, well I got the perfect place but the owner knows me. She said, I'm not going to the Tavern. I said Carrie, I said the owner knows me, not us. She said, Mike please don't fight, I'm tired. Carrie relax, I'm not trying to fight and a long talk is perfect. I got another hug and a kiss and Sam appeared saying, just get a room. We got in the car and I leaned over and kissed her and I asked if she just wanted to go to my place and order in and got a very firm NO.
I drove to the Greentree bar and inside was greeted by the owner, I whispered no matter what I want real iced tea and she gets white wine, if at all possible. We were seated in a booth towards the back. Carrie looked around and said this is perfect, thanks. I grabbed both her hands, looked her in the eye and said, Carrie are we good? She said I hope so but we both really fucked with each other's heads the other night. We don't usually deliver messages until the other night we just talked. I started to say something and the drinks came and she said thanks for the wine, but let me finish. Mike, I get the bet and I've known for a while that you wanted anal sex. Yes, it was not the most pleasant thing and you were very caring and I love that about you. Mike what was the point in all that? Carrie, there wasn't a point except I don't want to bet with you, we shouldn't need a bet to explore everything about us mentally and physically. So Carrie why did you want or need rough sex? Mike, I was pissed at you over work and thought I was being treated like one of your minions and wanted to feel what that was like. Carrie, I did it but I was serious it could have been a blow up doll, I hated it you being an unresponsive object. Just then the waiter came over and I asked for a few more minutes. Carrie said, Mike I'm starving. Carrie, the food here is very good and there is a lot of it in fact I usually order half sandwiches.
I called the waiter over and ordered half a hoagie and a basket of fries and Carrie said I'll have the same but no fries and another round of drinks. The drinks came and hers was wine and mine was tea. Carrie asked, so what with the tea? I said drinking and driving and she said that's another thing, I had to read about all that in the paper. Babe what you didn't read in the paper is that you are a director in the Foundation. She smiled and I said we passed two hotels on the way here should we get a room for makeup sex or can you wait till we get back to my place. I got my hand slapped as that was the only thing available to hit. The food came and she said someone needs to look at the definition of half and for the first time in a long time we both laughed. We finished eating and I paid the bill using the credit card. While that was going on I said, Carrie one of the hotels or my house? She, smiled and replied our future sons bed. I though what would dad and Cole think.
At home to my relief there was no one home. There was a note that said dad was at the club playing cards and would be late. I checked Coles room and he wasn't around so I went into my room grabbed Carrie and said, babe one of these fights will not be that easily resolved. She smiled and said sure they will unless you are screwing another chick and we started making out. The makeup sex was romantic, intense and sweaty. We took a shower together and we laughed as we both had to blow dry our hair. Once we were reasonably put together I dove her home.
The ride home was uneventful but as I pulled into the driveway a police car pulled up and two officers got out. I just looked, thinking now what the fuck. The first officer stuck out his hand and we shook hands and he said Mike, sorry to bother you, we just wanted to say thanks for the vests, you are buying us. We all appreciate it. I smiled and said you are welcome, but to be honest I was unaware as It's very early in the process. As soon as the request is formal I'll approve it immediately. I started towards the house and was told, dude you have a tail light out. We couldn't bring ourselves to pull you over and needed to say thanks, get it fixed before frick and frack get back to work. I laughed and said first thing Monday.
I was still alone so I poured a scotch and went to my room and was jotting notes to discuss with Tim when Cole came in. He stuck his head in and said, hey dude. I just shook my head, as he obviously been drinking and said hey. My next thought was I'm not his parent, how would a brother react. I asked, dude how was your night? He said, I was hoping for make up sex and got a slap across the face instead. Mike, there was yelling and screaming and I was told to take my big cock and shove it up my ass. I knew it was over but it didn't have to be ugly and I mean really ugly. Cole, now what? Well Mike, I'm thinking the chick of the month, I laughed and said that seems like the normal approach. Then he leaned against the door frame and said, she is the only girl I've ever had sex with. Mike, I guess you have had lots of chicks. I thought, I don't want to go down this path but replied, there has been Carrie and one other chick in a three way, that's it. He said, fuck I thought they would be in line. Cole, they are I'm just not interested. I said dude have a seat, I'm getting another drink, what have you been drinking tonight and he said beer. I went downstairs grabbed a beer and got a scotch and went back upstairs. I sat down and asked, so Cole can you and Jessie get back together? He shook his head and said, not in this lifetime. Mike, there won't be a chick of the month, I've been flirting with someone and that's what started all this. It's just that I have never had to work to find a chick. Cole, how often do you get this drunk? Mike, this is the first time. I said really and he flew out of the room and I heard him puke in the bathroom. He came back and I said thanks for making it to the toilet. You puke in my room and I'll wipe the fucking floor with you. Mike, you did not have to tell me that, I'm sorry. Cole, I hate that word, just don't puke in my room, I don't give a fuck how much you drink or how sick you get. It's all part of growing up but understand my mom was a drunk and Bill was addicted to both drinks and drugs. He said Mike, it's not like that. I got up gave him a hug and said dude you fucking smell get a shower and I'll see you in the morning, by the way I'm running. Cole said thanks and a couple of minutes later I heard the shower.
I went back to work on the items to discuss with Tim and dad knocked on the door. I took one look at him and said, you better be telling me your car is at the Club and you took a cab home? He said correct and tossed me his keys. I said get to bed and just so you know, I'm the only sober one in this fucking house, good night.
I thought, fuck this and went to take a shower and the room stank of puke and I sprayed the room and turned on the exhaust fan. I came back a few minutes later and took a hot shower and climbed into bed naked and fell asleep.
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