When I got to my place I threw my shit in the corner and put the laptop on my desk and plopped my ass on the loveseat. I was tired both physically and mentally and knew I had to pull myself together as it would be a busy week and then the meeting Friday in Annapolis and the Admiral and I knew some Cadet Officers. I was hoping to meet them off campus and in civies. I set the alarm incase I fell asleep then thought about Winnie and called. She answered by saying Wow, you are back early, did you have a good time? Yup, Friday was a quiet get together with future teammates and a little drinking. Saturday was an early meeting with 2 coaches and a good bit of drinking. Had to stop that early as JJ and I had to fly. Flying is fun but plays havoc with the drinking. That brought a laugh. Then dinner and a long walk alone. Went to the duck pond and chilled till I got cold. Sunday was a sleep in coffee and scones for breakfast, shopping, lunch and time at the chapel, my favorite place on campus. Meeting with the coaches went well and got a packet with a letter of intent and a bunch of instructions. We watch some football and JJ flew home. So Winnie what did you do? Not much Uncle Bill finally got an apartment. Then Mia and I hung out at the mall. Winnie, Friday I have to go with Dillon to Annapolis for a meeting with the Admiral and some Cadets can you blow off school? I'll see if Dillion can bring his girl. We can stay over and fly back late Saturday. Winnie, it's a cool town and there are lots of shops. Mick, is JJ and Mia coming? Nope this is a business trip. Mick, it sounds like fun but I'll have to let you know in school tomorrow, will you be there? I laughed and said sure. With that we hung up.
With that chat there wasn't enough time for a nap, well one that would mean anything so I got up and went to the refrigerator and grabbed some water. Back on the loveseat I started to laugh as Winnie didn't ask if I bought her anything. That lit a fire under me and I started to root through drawers looking for anything that reminded me of Carrie. It wasn't long before I had a small collection of pictures, notes and other shit. I found a small trash bag and put the shit in the trash bag and using a twist tie sealed it. I knew I would be adding more. It was now time to go to the house for gifts and golf. At the house I found Megan Dad and Ashley with drinks and the TV tuned in for golf. I handed Ashley her Hokie Bird and Megan quickly snatched it away. Ashley immediately started to cry and after a quick read of the tag it was returned and the tears stopped immediately. I started to hand Megan her gift then searched for the tag, read it and handed it to her saying, just needed to make sure it was safe. Dad laughed and said, well as sexy as that is we might be buying many more diapers. Megan laughed and said James, I told you to get that thing snipped. Now I was in hysterics. I tossed dad his shirt and went to the refrigerator for iced tea.
When I got back the leaders were teeing off and Cole would be on the second green. The announcers were saying that winds were howling and gusts were around 25 mph. Then they showed Cole yesterday on the first hole in calm wind hit a drive and a wedge to 9' and a birdie. The the announcer laughed and said today it was a drive and a 3 iron to the same 9' and a birdie. The other announcer said well that kid is playing like an experienced Pro. The fact that he is here at 17 and exempt is unreal and he might flat out win this. Then there is the unique outfit and the interaction with the fans. Then the other announcer said Jack, the kid was here playing and practicing yesterday for 10 hours. This week he has out worked the field. They went to Cole who lipped out a long birdie putt. Cole, simply shrugged and tapped in the miss.
They followed the leaders and then on #4 a uphill 499 yard par 5. It was a short par 5 and they mentioned Cole had a 2 putt birdie on each day. Today the wind was blowing hard from the right. Cole's drive started way right and with the wind and his natural draw it rode the wind And was very long and hit the right side of the fairway and came to a rest in the left center. The announcers estimated that the drive traveled 375 yards. That left him 124 yards. The announcer said well if he hits a wedge he will have to hit it 20 yards right. Cole, ignored the spectators and was talking with Liam the entire time, as he walked to his ball. I knew he was figuring out the shot. It didn't appear to be a tense conversation but I felt there were two differing opinions. Cole was waiting for his opponent to hit and he watch a high shot get blown into the trap on the left side. Liam handed Cole a club and Cole took the club and bowed to Liam, indicating you choice. Then it was different as the pre shot routine changed and there were 3 practice swings. Damn he was going to hit a low liner punch shot. The on course announcer whispered 5 iron. I was glued to the TV. Cole addressed the shot and took a half swing and the ball started a tad right and hit the fringe took one hop and was rolling to the pin in the back center of the green. The noise got louder and louder and the ball stopped 6" short and a tad left of the pin. Cole gave the club to Liam and took a step back and pointed to Liam with both hands and clapped and the place went nuts. Liam removed the pin and Cole tapped it in. The pin was replaced and both Cole and Liam put their hands up asking for quiet so that the other guy could play. The other player hit a great sand shot and tapped in for a birdie. What happened next was amazing. Cole was walking to the next tee and he suddenly stopped and turned. His opponent walked quickly to Cole, said something quietly and put his arm around Cole and they walked together to the 5th tee and Cole was tied for the lead.
As the round proceeded we groaned about a bogie on 7 but celebrated birdies on 8 and 9. So with 9 holes left Cole was one shot back and -8. The back nine didn't start well with a poor drive and a bogie on the 10th. Cole was now 2 shots down and there was another not so good drive but he made a nice 6' par putt. I knew he was struggling and Liam was doing a lot of talking. 12 & 13 were routine pars but now he was three down. There was a 1 putt sand save and another par. Then something happened and Cole birdied 15, 16 and parred 17. He was one down and on the difficult par 5 18th which was 501 yard dogleg left with a howling wing blowing from the left. There were out of bounds right and left. Cole needed a birdie to have a chance. On the tee Cole went right to the bag and removed a 3 wood. The announcers were amazed saying that choice will mean a layup and he will have a difficult third shot. Liam seemed to have no input but I knew they had discussed that on the way to the tee. Cole was calm and the pre shot routine was flawless. I loved the swing and the ball started down the middle and his natural draw held the wind and even move a bit left. The ball hit the fairway and rolled down the hill. The announcer said that was amazing as he actually drew that into the wind and the top spin produced by a hook let the ball roll a good bit. He is perfect and right center of the fairway. Then Cole went and picked up his bag and carried it down the fairway. Liam shrugged and said he always does what he want and the place went nuts. The announcers didn't even know what to say.
There was still work to do and Cole put the bag down and he he had 210 to the green. I felt that it would be a 4 iron but it was down hill and his adrenaline was involved and there was the ever present wind. Liam and Cole talked and Liam handed him a club and I saw Liam signal 5 iron to the on course announcer. The guys said, I give up figuring this guy out but I don't think that's enough club. I was sitting in the game room thinking that was the perfect club. There was no hesitation and the same routine and the ball started on the left edge on the greens and it drifted right with the wind and ended pin high and 20' right. Just then we heard the leader had parred 17 and was still one shot up. An eagle would really shake thing up. Cole waited as his opponent chipped to a couple of feet. Cole and Liam looked the 20' putt which had a big right to left break. It was not easy by any means. Cole, I think would be pleased with 2 putts. He took a deep breath and stood over the putt and someone yelled something and he stepped back and people booed. This time as he approached the putt Liam and his opponent raised their hands asking for quiet. Cole was calm and when he hit the putt he just looked and as it rolled towards the crowd was getting excited. The putt looked like it was going in but was a tad under hit and when it took the big turn left it missed the hole by an inch and stopped within a foot. Cole simply waited for his opponent to tap his putt in and when Cole did the same he was tie for the lead. All hell broke loose. Cole and Liam immediately put their hands up asking for quiet and when that happened Cole in a loud voice said, please let them finish and he was escorted to the scoring tent.
Once the scoring details were finished the interviews started. Cole that was a great round, how did you manage it. Cole laughed and said well Liam, my teammate, was a lot of help. It was tough out there with the wind, making a difficult course very tough. Cole why did you Carrie your bag on 18. Cole smiled and said, to connect me with my roots. Carrying clubs at Upper St. Clair CC south of Pittsburgh. Now at Latrobe and Oakmont if I look at my bag too long some member calls the Pro. No worries as I get to ride in a cart at South Hills. At that point the leader hit a great tee shot. So Cole, what did you want to accomplish this week? Well to win a tournament. So you expected to come here and win? I always expect to win. Do you feel at 17 that you belong on the tour? No, I have talked it over with my mom and dad and AP and Fred Couples. Just then there was a polite applause as the leader was on the fringe 30' away. Cole looked at the TV and had no reaction. He said sorry, my team as selected a number of events to play and the PGA is aware of that schedule. I am, I believe, qualified as a past winner. Cole will you defend that title? Yes. Will you be playing any amateur events? I am eligible for the US Amateur because of my rating, I haven't decided. Will you play in the Masters? If I get invited, sure. Cole looked at the TV and smiled and the leader's putt was 4' short. Cole, would you like to watch? Yeah, thanks. The damn TV had a picture of Cole as he watched. The putt was made with no problem to a very polite applause. Cole had very little reaction and there was that AP rye smile. They came right back to Cole and asked so how do you feel? Cole just laughed at that and said well, Steve played very well and he deserved more than a polite applause. Cole, why do you interact with the fans? Well they paid a lot of money to get in here and we demand quiet and respect. I think we owe them more than walking down the middle of the fairway. Besides it relaxes me and I feed off them. We need them more than they need us.
Just then the winner appeared and Cole shook his hand and congratulated him and said great round today. Steve looked at the reporter and said, you know I haven seen anyone have a following like this guy. Heck, it rivals Arnies Army. I'm just glad he wasn't in my group, he is a tough competitor. We all look forward to him being around more. With that Cole stepped away and let Steve enjoy the win.
Almost immediately Megan's phone rang and Cole said hi mom, I guessed you were all watching? Megan said Cole, you were awesome both on the course and during the interview. Thanks mom, this was a ton of work and worth every minute of it. I know you don't want to hear it but I belong out here. I saw Megan smile and she said son, I saw that and we can talk but I need a college degree even if it takes 6 years. Cole laughed and asked is MJ there? Megan said sure and handed me the phone. I said dude, great job. Cole said we can talk Tuesday but I needed to say THANKS. Cole, that's not necessary, watching this was awesome and great job with the media, get some rest and ask Liam to call me tomorrow afternoon, our time. Cole laughed and said neither of us are up early. Then he said, I have to go AP is on the line, tell mom, I love her. I looked at Megan and said, he loves you but AP was on the other line. She smiled and said my boy has grown up and damn, I'm proud. I was more than exhausted and said good night. It was 1:30 AM and there would be no run.
I was up with the alarm and 5 hours of sleep. There was barely time for coffee and a shower but I made first period English. It wasn't till after 1st period that I realized there was a lot of excitement in the building and I realized with the golf, I forgot about the ESPN story. It was the middle of second period when I was asked to report to the Athletic office. When I got to the office Nancy was on the phone and she simply pointed to the conference room. There I found the door open and Coach Weston and Doc Johnson. Doc said, good morning Mike, have a seat. I smiled and said, I'm glad to hear it's a good morning. So Mike what did you think of the ESPN coverage of the team? Doc, I didn't watch as Cole was on TV last night, finished second and lost on the last hole. Guys was there an issue? Well, there was some concern about how voluntary those practices were. Look guys, I'm not dealing with that, ask anyone on the team, there was no pressure to participate. Mike, we are not even going to ask as we are both sure that you guys will all answer the same. More importantly we believe you. I shrugged and asked so what else you didn't haul my ass here for? They looked at each other and I said guys, I'm operating on 5 hours of sleep and have a full day, what do you need? We were just looking at each other and I stood up and said, I'm going to class. Coach said Mike, SIT. Doc looked at me and said Mike, pleas sit. Then he looked at coach and said Chuck, please give us the room and close the door.
As soon as we were alone Doc said Mike, I'm not going to ask if you are ok as I know the answer. Is there anything I or we can do to help? I laughed and said clone me. He laughed and said just pass that stuff on to others. Doc, that will happen but right now as this part is on me. Mike, did the trip to College help? I just laughed nd said it added 2 things but they get handed off this afternoon. The truth is that it was hard to come back, I'm ready to be there. There was another laugh and he said Mike, that happened in Hershey when the clock read 0:00. Once football was over you wanted to move on. Doc, that's not true as hear I sit. Mike, that's because of the AP credits, correct? Yes, I'm counting on them as I'll have no problem with the AP tests. Mike how many credits will you have? Doc right now I am at 21 from CMU and I can get another 6. Mike, how many AP classes to you have? Well, calculus, history, science and English. Doc laughed and said so you will have the first year in if you score 4's. Doc that's right. Mike, just so you know, that hasn't happened here before. I smiled and said, I know and thanks. Doc, we made a great team and I'll miss that. He smiled and said, me to. So Doc, what did you want? Mike, to say thanks for the help with the basketball team. Doc, there is no need for that. I was shaking my head as I left the conference room as this was so strange. I stopped and chatted with Nancy and as I was leaving she said have a good time at the junior high. I stoop and looked at her and she said hazing on the boys basketball team down there.
Doc and Coach were in the coaches office and I went in and sat down and said guys you need to sent the next man up to the junior high. Coach asked, Josh? I smiled and said Coach keep up, I'm done and Josh is the man. The next one up is Wyatt and he can have Rod along. They have this as they are all stars in that building. Enjoy you day and I'm signing out for work. With that I just walked out and whispered a thank you to Nancy as I left. Naturally the drive to the office involved coffee and I was feeling better and ready to get started as I went through security. I went right to Tim's office and as he was on the phone I simply sat down. He quickly hung up and said well your here early, I thought you would be signing autographs after last night. Tim, I was watching golf as Cole finished second and lost on the last hole. Well I guess family is more important. Tim, I'm sorry but I have two new things and a number of things we need to wrap up. Mike, let me go first. I got a call over the weekend from Brent Barker, he is and I said a big shit with Continental. Mike, Executive Vice President. Tim, what does he need? Mike, an attorney who can practice in PA. Tim, you said you didn't want to work ridiculous hours and these people have a lot to learn about things around here. Mike, they are backing an armored truck to the loading dock. Mike, I'll hire associated. Tim who will that be? Well Paul Benec and Dan Boyle will be available. Tim don't they work for Brian Caine, my former lawyer? Yup, that will be fun. Tim, don't forget the grief, I'll get. Tim, we have an understanding, you can take on other clients and you agree that no matter what I'm first. Mike that goes without saying.
So what do I need to do for you? Tim, I need a contract with J & J for the Marina and Restaurant. Then I need to build a hanger or two to be built to house 2 or 4 planes at the Blacksburg Airfield, here is the contact guy and his number. Ok, what else? I need a building 4 to 6 units as close to campus as possible. Tim laughed and said you have a real estate company to deal with that and I'll monitor the legal work. Tim, when do your new guys start? Once the check from Ohio clears the bank. Tim, they need a place to work and you are staying here. I have a good real estate guy that can help. Then we both laughed and Tim said ok, I'll get Heidkamp on both and put him on a tight leash. Thanks, Tim and enjoy your day. I laughed the entire way to my office as I was thrilled that Tim was branching out and that he had the balls to take Brian on. The other advantage was that I would have a bit of an idea what the people from Ohio were about.
I called Dillon and told him I would like to discuss the trip to Annapolis at his convenience. He said he needed 45 minutes and asked if I wanted coffee. I shook my head and said Dillon, I'll have gotten my own by then and you don't fetch for me. With that I simply hung up. However coffee was a good idea. That took more time than I thought as people were telling how great the story was about my football season. I kept saying thanks and asked that I be given no details. I was going through the financials when Dillon arrived. We sat in the more comfortable seats and I was tanned a thick folder, which I simply set aside. Dillon launched into a 45 minute discussion about the software program and marketing approach. Then he handed me a schedule which started with lunch with the Admiral at 1:00 and a meeting with 4 cadet officers at 2:30 when he was sure wouldn't be longer than an hour. He said we could be home early evening. Dillon, that was great and I'll study the information and be ready. However, I had another idea. What you you think about bringing our girls along and spending the night and having dinner and flying back Saturday afternoon? Mike, that sounds great but I need to check. I laughed and said me as well. With all that done, I packed up the office and drove to the gym and JJ and I had a great workout. Then it was home and time to watch the ESPN event.
Please, if possible, find a way to support Nifty, posting and maintaining these stories have a cost.
Thanks for reading and thanks for the comments. Enjoy the weekend.