The day of the golf tournament arrived. She's been up since six this morning. The excitement and anticipation have been growing the past two days. There's a great deal riding on this. How well she plays will determine her future, literally.
The thing about golf is the majority of it is nothing but a head game. Like her golfing hero, Arnold Palmer, says "Success in golf depends less on strength of body than upon strength of mind and character." If your head is right, then your game will follow. But if your head isn't in the right place, then you can kiss your game goodbye too. It would be so easy to allow herself to dwell on the negative feelings, that permeated her spirit with the gossip. But like she finally realized Monday, letting those losers get to her is giving them victory. She's not going to allow them that privilege.
Since it's chilly outside, she donned her black golf pants, Smartwool, long-sleeve, turquoise shirt. Then Ava instantly thought to put it with her puffy, insulated jacket (the same color as her shirt). Knowing it's supposed to be sunny today, and with the amount of play time she'll receive, it'll get warm quickly. It's good to have layers because you can shed them throughout the day. She put her long brown hair up in a messy bun. A black fleece headband will go around her head, and ears, for warmth.
Once Ava finished dressing, she went downstairs for breakfast. Before a match, especially an important one, she doesn't eat a lot. With her nerves in knots, it would just make her sick. Her mom had cut up some fruit the other day, so she grabbed a bowl and dipped some of it out. Then she took the whipped topping and placed it on the fruit. Her glass of orange juice rounded out her meal.
Her mother entered the kitchen holding a cup of coffee. Her red nails were a pretty contrast to the white mug, in her hands. She sat down beside her daughter and sipped the beverage. While Ava ate, her mother asked "Are you ready for today? This is a big contest you've entered."
After swallowing her fruit, she answered her mother. "Yeah, I am. I've been practicing since Christmas. I think I have a good chance of winning. Are you going to come to watch?"
Linda patted her hand. "Of course. But I can't say the whole time. I have to leave to pick the triplets up from Pre-K by one. With the tournament starting at ten, I'll get to see a good portion." She sipped her coffee again.
At that moment Chase entered looking unkempt, especially his hair (which is sticking up in all directions). His scruffy, grubby self poured a bowl of cereal and sat at the table too. Before he ate, he asked his sister "Did you brush your teeth this morning? Rat Face won't want to kiss you with nasty dragon breath."
Ava wondered why he's asking her that. It's very suspicious. "Why do you care if I have or have not brushed my teeth?"
His face gave nothing away. "Just curious." He eyed her as he brought a spoonful of cereal to his mouth.
However, Linda was not fooled by her son. "Chase if you have done something you shouldn't have, then you need to speak up now." She gave him the patented mom look.
Snickering, he confessed. "I rubbed your toothbrush around the toilet. Surprise."
In an instant, Ava's mouth hung open. Of all the nasty... She pushed her chair back and stood up and yelled "You nasty, foul, disgusting pig!"
Before she could run upstairs to get a new toothbrush and re-brush her teeth, he yelled back "You're going to lose. You're a loser like Rat Face."
Already upset, she took his cereal bowl and dumped it on top of his head. Then she left the room to go re-brush. As she exited, she heard her mother say "You asked for it." Yes, he did. This is yet another reason why she has to win the contest. The longer she has to stay in this house with that horrible poop face she'll lose her mind.
After brushing her teeth squeaky clean, with a new fresh toothbrush, she went downstairs to watch some TV (until Johnny came to get her at nine). He loves to sleep in, so it's a guarantee she won't see him until then. When Chase and triplets left for school, there was about an hour and a half until the clock struck nine. Restlessness began to set in. Jumping up from the sofa, she went to get a recent golf magazine and reread an article about golf strokes. Then she read another one on swing styles. It's nothing new she didn't already know, but it was a good read regardless.
At eight-thirty the doorbell rang. The loudness of it resonated in the quiet house. Ava went to open the door and discovered her husband standing on the porch. He looks good today with his jeans and blue sweater. It really goes well with his blue eyes. Big joyous smiles filled their faces. Her hand pulled him inside. They stood in the foyer kissing until they heard the garage door let up.
"I missed you," he stated. He does. He misses her every time she goes away or he has to drop her off at her house. Hopefully, that will all be fixed soon.
With flirty enthusiasm, she reiterated what he said. "I missed you too." She hugged him again and led him upstairs. In her room, she rechecked her hair and took her turquoise puffy coat off the hanger. She put it on the bed beside him and began filling her golf tote with various items.
Johnny's eyes took her in. Relaxed yet eager, smiling, and a bright glowing face. She looks happy. He'd like to think he has something to do with that. "You're very bright today." He fiddled with the zipper on the coat.
Continuing to round up all the things she'll need, she stopped and said "I feel sunny and happy inside, so I'm wearing a cheerful color on the outside." Then she came to sit by him, "I have a good feeling about today. I think I may win. That would be so great for us." They held hands.
He agreed with her. "Yeah, it would. But look, even if you don't win we're still OK. We've still got money to use for a house, alright."
With a nod of the head, she looked into his eyes and declared "I love you." Her gentle voice added, "You're my person." He took her soft hand and raised it to his mouth.
Tenderly smiling and caressing the hand he's holding, he told her "You're mine. You're my person." His eyes looked up and caught the time on the clock. "We need to be going. You have check-in starting at nine-fifteen." She got up and finished putting items into the golf tote. Once done, she took her purse and he took the bag. Downstairs, in the kitchen, her large hot pink water bottle went into the tote too.
At the front door, she stopped and put her headband on around her ears. Johnny helped her with the turquoise coat. When he had it zipped up, her mother joined them. "Ava I'll be there before ten." She hugged her daughter and kissed her cheek.
They said bye and Ava grabbed her golf bag, she had placed it by the door last night after she cleaned her clubs. Johnny carried everything else. In the car, they loaded her stuff and drove off to the country club. On the way she remembered something her second favorite golfer, Jack Nicklaus says. He always talks about confidence and how it's important to the game. But he says regarding golf confidence "There's only one way to obtain and sustain it: work". Â She's been working hard for this and she's ready to play. Right now her golfing confidence is through the roof. It would be nice if her daily confidence was the same. It needs repairing.
Johnny went with her to sign in. At the registration table, she was given her tournament lanyard with her name and food pass. They asked if she was going to have a caddy for today. Normally she doesn't have one. High school matches don't require one. However, for today she secured Dawn's assistance as a "caddy".
When Ava asked her, she laughed. "I may not be playing, but there's no reason I can't help you." This made Ava super pleased because Dawn has incredible knowledge of the game.
Looking at the name she wrote down beside the caddy spot, Johnny's eyes grew round with surprise. "Dawn's your caddy?"
"Yep. She agreed to it. Isn't that great?" She continued to fill out the forms. Once completed, they went to the dining area and sat at a table. Since he hasn't eaten yet, he ordered a generous helping of breakfast. While Johnny ate they talked about the day. Both their friends, guys, and girls, will be there for the start and stay until the end. Afterward, they're all going out and eating dinner together.
At nine-forty, true to word, both sets of friends arrived. Dutch came up and gave her a hug. "Ava, I have to say it takes a lot of balls to enter this tournament." Tommy laughed at his corny golf pun. While Ava looked around her to make sure no one "elderly" heard him, he began picking at Johnny's pieces of bacon (which he snuck and ate).
Dawn picked up her caddy lanyard and put it on. "You're going to be amazing today. I just know it." As she said that, Robin Tooney entered the dining area. "Oh crap," she muttered.
Rachel spoke for herself and the guys. "Why'd you say that? And who is that girl?"
Ava and Dawn shared looks. Ava is the one who responded. "That is Robin Tooney. The top female high school golfer in the state. She always wins and I always come in second to her." She began twisting her lanyard and muttering. "I just don't know what it is. I can never seem to get good air like she does."
Taking her hand and giving it a squeeze, Johnny understood what she's muttering. Coming in second sucks, but it's not terrible.
But Dutch, on the other hand, took one look at Robin and said "I'd tap that." He turned to the guys. "Get it, tap and tap?" He grinned like an idiot. A few groans and chuckles were heard at his joke.
The tournament director began to call the ladies together. It was time for them to draw places to see who goes first. As Rachel and the guys gathered their things to leave, in walked none other than Ava's cousin Misty. Her golfing outfit alone is ridiculous. The tight leggings and fitted shirt leave practically nothing to the imagination. It is not standard golfing attire. It's attention-seeking attire.
Her eyes did a double-take. "Are you serious?" Ava asked. She cannot believe this. Why is her wretched cousin entering this tournament? She can't play competition-level golf. She's nowhere near that caliber. The only reason she's doing this is to annoy her to no end.
Tommy saw who was following her and he remarked "I'm teed off." Dutch high-fived him and agreed.
Narrowing his eyes, Johnny told his girl "You've got this. Don't worry about her. Focus on your game." She nodded in frustration and he bent down to kiss her sweet lips. "Love you. You're the best by par." He winked at her, while she shook her head at his pun.
Before they all exited, Dutch left her with a few parting words. "May the course be with you."
She and Dawn laughed. Then it was time for all of the entrants to draw places. It started with a few girls close to the front of the group and continued around the room. When it got Ava's turn she drew a prime spot of tenth place. In a group this size (twenty-five) going tenth is good. Going first is terrible and going last is nerve-wracking. But close to the middle is best.
Robin drew fifth place and her cousin drew third. Ha! Third place plus she has Joy to help caddy. Oh please. This is the funniest thing she's seen in ages. She and Dawn stepped outside and loaded up their golf cart. Ava looked around and spotted her mom standing beside her Aunt Kimmy.
Her mom waved her over. Turning to Dawn, she said "My mom is here and wants to see me. I'll be right back." She headed towards the two women.
Linda smiled at her daughter and linked arms with her. "Walk with me, Dear." They walked a ways off, from her aunt. "Ava, I know you want to win the tournament but I was thinking. Wouldn't it be nice if you lost? Your cousin is new here to the area. It would be like you're helping her out. The school golf season is soon and I have no doubt you'll do well and have tons of scholarship offers. It's just this one time."
Not believing her ears, Ava tried to squelch the shock on her face. Did her mother really just say for her to lose in order to help her cousin? Letting out a long huff of breath, she turned around. Her eyes caught sight of her friends. Â She saw Rachel and Bobby laughing and talking with each other. She saw the other guys doing the same. But then she looked at her husband and thought about his smile, his eyes, and his love.
No. This tournament is for their future. This isn't about herself. It's for them. And why would she want to help her cousin, when the miserable girl gossiped about personal details of her life? Looking at Johnny, her mind is made up. Turning back to her mother, she responded with "Thanks for your advice. Love you."
As she walked back to her friend, her annoyance stewed inside. Dawn asked "Are you OK? You seem tense." This is evident by the stride of her walk.
Ava told her. "Yes. I'm fine. But you'll never believe what my own mom just asked me to do. She asked me to throw the contest. She wants me to lose in order to help my horrible cousin."
In disbelief, Dawn said, "But you're not right?"
Checking her golf bag a final time, Ava gave her a look. "What do you think?" Dawn smiled knowingly.
The tournament began and the duo stood ready. There was nothing to do, except watch the first nine players start. When it was Misty's turn, Joy handed her the wrong club. That was comical. She and Dawn laughed. They couldn't help it. Her swing was fair, but not spectacular. Ava knew it wasn't going to land where it needed to be.
On the other hand, Robin Tooney swung and it was perfect. Perfect air and perfect landing. Both she and Dawn sighed. They waited for her turn. After player nine teed off, it finally was. Sitting her ball on the tee then breathing deep helped clear the cobwebs of her mind. When she swung it was as perfect as Robin's. Dawn high-fived her.
Play continued on in the same manner. On the eighth hole, several players began to run into trouble with the sand traps. Misty is one of them. Those sand traps ruined a lot of scores. By the ninth hole, it became apparent the top two contenders were Robin and Ava. They were followed closely by Shawna May, who's third in the state.
It was at the eleventh hole that Ava ran into some trouble of her own. Now trouble is different for each golfer. One might say trouble and mean huge trouble. Another might say trouble and mean a mental error. For Ava, her ball had landed just off the green. She would have to chip the ball close to the hole, which could prove to be difficult. It is for a lot of golfers, professionals included.
Mistakes are part of the game. It's how well a player recovers from them, that shows how great they actually are. Even when things don't go her way, her effort should be stellar regardless. It has to be a total effort. In order to dig herself out of this hole (literally right now), her concentration needs to be honed in. And concentration comes out of a combination of confidence and hunger. She's very hungry today.
The odds of making this are against her, but she just has to focus. Blocking out her opponents, and thinking only of this swing, Dawn reminded her "Loosen up. Remember when you're tense the ball will go opposite of where you need it to."
Loosen up. Her eyes scanned the crowd for Johnny. They found each other. He smiled and winked. She smiled back and thought about him. Strike first and strike hard. That's the same as what she needs to do right now. Hit the ball in the center of the wedge and strike it hard.
Visualizing the shot, she put her weight forward. Making sure her weight is over her left foot and left shoulder, she got the wedge ready. Moving only her trunk, not her hips, she hit it hard. Part of her didn't want to see where it landed, but when she heard clapping she knew. Dawn high-fived her. "Good job friend," she said with a happy voice. The ball landed on the green closer to the hole than she expected. When it was her turn to putt, she tapped it in for two under par, which is incredible considering. She went on the next holes and continued having a great golf game.
The sixteenth hole brought out a water hazard. It also brought out something else. Watching her cousin hit the ball into the hazard, made Ava feel slightly sorry for her. But then Misty did something uncouth, something any great golfer should never do. A string of curse words flew out of her mouth and she threw her golf club on the ground. A bad attitude is worse than a bad golf swing. Suffice it to say, Misty got penalized for both the water hazard and poor conduct too.
By the eighteenth hole, Ava's nerves returned. Her stomach is tied up in knots. If she aces this hole, then she could win the tournament. She wants to do really well, she has to. Everything comes down to this final hole.
She learned a lot by watching Robin's drive. You can always learn something from your top opponant. The girl is a powerhouse. But Dawn reminded her "You're just as good. Get your focus up and don't give in to your nerves." Sometimes golfing with friends is all the therapy you need.
When it was her turn to drive the ball, she crushed it. Even on the fairway, she killed it. Then it came time to putt and the putt is long putt. It's a long shot for her to sink this ball in on the first try (which is what she MUST do in order to win). Those are her weakness. Eying the hole and walking around to inspect the distance, she realizes there are several ways this can go. She could over-putt it, under-putt it, or hit it just right.
Typically she'll over-putt, just to be safe. That is her hitting the shot she thinks she should take, not the one she knows she can hit. She always plays it safe on these kinds of putts. Lining her putt up, she took a deep breath and let it go. Using her putter, she tapped the ball and held her breath. This is for the tournament.
The minute the ball broke left, she knew her second-place position was safe. Putting a smile on and tamping down the lump in her throat, she tapped the ball into the hole. Turning to Dawn, who gave her a small smile, tears welled up in her eyes. She played her heart out today and even that wasn't enough to best Robin.
At the end of the tournament, she had to collect her prize along with Robin who finished first, and Shawna who came in third. After collecting their respective awards, the three girls had to pose for pictures. She smiled even though her heart is heavy. Before the three left the prize area, Robin turned to her and commented. "Ava Green you are my toughest competitor. Any time I have to play against you, I know I have to bring my A-game. One day you're going to beat me and when you do I'll be the first to clap."
That was unexpected. What else is unexpected were two things. The first is the golf recruiter from Pepperdine University is there at the tournament today. He walked up to Ava and gave her his card. He told her "I came here today looking for golfers to sign on for our women's golf team. I want to sign you for a full golf scholarship with our college. If you're interested, then come by campus and we'll talk business." Ava was floored.
The second unexpected thing is her prize money. The second-place award is thirty thousand dollars. She could not believe it, since she had been thinking it was twenty. It might not be fifty but thirty is no chump change. After showering and changing into skinny jeans and a red sweater, she stood fixing her hair and putting on a little makeup. As she had just finished the final coat of mascara, her loathsome cousin entered the room.
She sized Ava up. Stepping closer, Misty told her "Ana you may have won today but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve cuz." Then she left to change.
What is that? Is that a threat? Trying to forget her words, Ava took her belongings and left the room. She spotted Johnny and her friends. They all congratulated her on the second-place victory. She graciously thanked them. As they walked to the car, Johnny declared "Well you married the right guy. I finished second place and you did too." She stopped and hugged him. He assured her "You're going to beat her in the Spring. I know you will because you're a Lawrence and Lawrence's never quit."
Once they got to his car and were seated, she told him about the recruiter from Pepperdine. She also showed him her prize check. He was speechless, almost. The scholarship is a HUGE weight off his mind. "Babe that's super. All of this is good news," he mentioned with relief evident in his voice. "We'll just add your winnings with some of my money to buy our house."
She smiled at him, but she really doesn't want him to sacrifice his money for their house. A plan started to form in her mind. It will take finesse to pull it off, but she can do it or at least try.