Now 50, I'm making the turn, beginning what's likely the back nine of my life. Regardless of how I scored on the front or what successes and failures I experienced, what I've learned from this journey and how I apply it now is what matters. For many, it's a time to rest on their laurels, for others a time for regret, but for some it's a time for new challenges and discoveries, to perhaps pursue the artful dreams pushed aside by the reality of demands and responsibilities on the front nine.

After years of raising a family and dedication to a career, I've entered this phase of my life by picking up the game of golf. Although I've become a good golfer, my goals have been simple - to enjoy the recreation, community and joy that golf offers; to grow personally from what the game teaches me about myself; and to learn to live and play more creatively, or artfully.

I was reminded of these goals and inspired to pursue them more fully after making the recent acquaintance with another back-niner, Jon Fitzgerald, who upon reaching this milestone, began a journey of his own - to pursue his dream of playing professional golf!

As an average 40 year-old golfer, still meeting the demands of raising a family and running his own business, Jon decided it was time to chase his dream - a dream most would consider impossible! As Jon had done in his career in the film industry, he takes this challenge head-on too. He does his research, assembles an impressive team of golf and fitness instructors such as Zen Golf's Dr. Joe Parent, Yoga for Golfers' Katherine Roberts, and Kinetic Golf Academy's Tim Suzor, then embarks on a journey that includes stops on The Golf Channel's Amateur Tour and even a trip to St. Andrews!

Fortunate for those of us who also dream and can identify with such a pursuit, Jon filmed this journey in a golf documentary - The Back Nine.

His story of personal growth, unexpected obstacles, and surprising progress is touching, inspiring, and certain to make you laugh. It was rewarding, not only to observe Jon's steady improvement as a golfer - quickly shaving 11 strokes off his handicap - but mostly to witness the personal growth and healing Jon experienced along the way.

Jon's story demonstrates that the rewards of pursuing your dream are more about the adventure it takes you on than the final destination. However, you have to see the film to find out if his goal was possible!

Learn more about Jon's film at thebacknine.com.

p.s. I finally finished off a good "back nine" of my own yesterday to shoot my first-ever 69 on my home course (slope 135), finishing with a birdie on 18!

Labels: Jon Fitzgerald, The Back Nine

Tetherow Golf Club 17th, Bend, OR

As you can see from my infrequent posts lately, I haven't been a very artful blogger. My golf game hasn't been very artful either. My putting comes and goes. My driver is costing me more strokes than ever! I seem to have lost that artful swing. But, as it has before, it'll eventually return.

Over the past few months, I was shooting rounds in the 70's about 75% of the time, including a couple rounds under 70. But this month, I'm back to shooting half my rounds in the 80's. However, I continue to sprinkle in a good round or two every 20 rounds to keep my handicap at 3.

Last weekend, after shooting several rounds in the 80's, I then shot a round of 73 that included 3 double bogies! I then followed that with another round of 80 yesterday that included 5 penalty strokes from bad drives. One recent round of 81 included seven 3-putts! It's been very frustrating!

Although I've struggled lately, I did get to enjoy a trip to Bend, Oregon last month. I played Tetherow, Aspen Lakes, Sunriver Meadow and Widgi Creek. I loved playing among the Cascades and put together some good rounds there, but struggled some too. My favorite round took place on my drive home. I stopped at Running Y Ranch, a Palmer course in Klamath Falls. I played well, enjoyed the company of my wife, who rode along in the cart with me, and simply loved the natural setting! I'll definitely plan to get back to Central Oregon in the future for some more great golf.

While back here at home here on the Central Coast, my blogging may continue, but at an infrequent pace. I've found it much easier to simply share artful links and quick updates using Twitter! You can follow me there at twitter.com/artfulgolfer.

Labels: Bend, Golf Destinations, Golf Vacation, Oregon, Twitter