I'm currently reading The Greatest Game Ever Played by Mark Frost. The movie depiction of this story is one of my favorite Disney movies, so I'm really enjoying the book.
Early chapters describe the childhood of Harry Vardon, the professional golfer from England who was one of two main characters in the story. Harry is considered to be the father of modern golf. Nicknamed "The Stylist", he invented the club grip that many people still use today. He toured the United States at the end of the 19th century, and played a huge role in stirring up interest in the game on this side of the pond.
Reading about his childhood, I couldn't help but feel extremely grateful. Just over 100 years ago (not that long ago!), the world was very, very different. Vardon was the oldest of 4 children, and grew up with very limited means. When I say limited means, it's a stark contrast to what modern day people in this country would consider to be poverty. Their situation was complicated even more with Harry's father being an alcoholic. Harry left school at the age of 12, and would work 60 hours a week as a gardener on a local farm. He would sneak this money to his mother so that it could be used to help the family, as opposed to being poured down the throat of his father. This farm is also where he fell in love with the game of golf, and would play as much as he could with his boss when he wasn't working.
To add to this, and what would prove to be a symbolic moment, their first home was taken from them so that the land could be used to build a golf course (the very course he would eventually win one of his British Open championships on).
In his prime, Harry was diagnosed with Tuberculosis. He missed months of competition. Treatment back then was isolation, bed rest, and fresh air. Really think about that. I believe it was a year and a half before he was able to return, and even then it was too early and he experienced significant side effects from trying to be tougher than his ailment. He experienced permanent nerve damage in his hand that effected his putting for the rest of his career.
I'm trying to read more than I have in the past. I never took much of an interest in history when I was younger. However, reading about history can give us a different appreciation for what we have access to today. We're growing up in an incredible time. We have access to so much. Our poorest of citizens experience a better life than 99% of humans that have ever existed (in my opinion).
When comparing my life currently to what Harry experienced, and even to what the other main character Francis Ouimet experienced (read the book, I won't spoil it, orrrr watch the movie!), I can't help but feel extremely grateful. And they were the more fortunate of that time era.
Harry had a quote I'll never forget-
Early chapters describe the childhood of Harry Vardon, the professional golfer from England who was one of two main characters in the story. Harry is considered to be the father of modern golf. Nicknamed "The Stylist", he invented the club grip that many people still use today. He toured the United States at the end of the 19th century, and played a huge role in stirring up interest in the game on this side of the pond.
Reading about his childhood, I couldn't help but feel extremely grateful. Just over 100 years ago (not that long ago!), the world was very, very different. Vardon was the oldest of 4 children, and grew up with very limited means. When I say limited means, it's a stark contrast to what modern day people in this country would consider to be poverty. Their situation was complicated even more with Harry's father being an alcoholic. Harry left school at the age of 12, and would work 60 hours a week as a gardener on a local farm. He would sneak this money to his mother so that it could be used to help the family, as opposed to being poured down the throat of his father. This farm is also where he fell in love with the game of golf, and would play as much as he could with his boss when he wasn't working.
To add to this, and what would prove to be a symbolic moment, their first home was taken from them so that the land could be used to build a golf course (the very course he would eventually win one of his British Open championships on).
In his prime, Harry was diagnosed with Tuberculosis. He missed months of competition. Treatment back then was isolation, bed rest, and fresh air. Really think about that. I believe it was a year and a half before he was able to return, and even then it was too early and he experienced significant side effects from trying to be tougher than his ailment. He experienced permanent nerve damage in his hand that effected his putting for the rest of his career.
I'm trying to read more than I have in the past. I never took much of an interest in history when I was younger. However, reading about history can give us a different appreciation for what we have access to today. We're growing up in an incredible time. We have access to so much. Our poorest of citizens experience a better life than 99% of humans that have ever existed (in my opinion).
When comparing my life currently to what Harry experienced, and even to what the other main character Francis Ouimet experienced (read the book, I won't spoil it, orrrr watch the movie!), I can't help but feel extremely grateful. And they were the more fortunate of that time era.
Harry had a quote I'll never forget-
Even in our darkest hour, never despair.He also said, don't play too much golf, two rounds a day should suffice. I agree.
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