Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday!

Greetings Golfers,

Tomorrow is July 4.

Not just the 4th of July … but our 250th birthday.

I said OUR birthday. I’m proud to be an American.

Is America perfect? Hardly. What country is? Does that mean we should hate ourselves? I sure don’t think so.

If we’re so terrible … why do so many people want to come here?

So far, while hosting the World Cup … the media and visiting fans from around the world … have been positive about America. They seem to be surprised that we’re actually likable.

During the 20th century, America emerged as the world’s superpower. Still a young nation … America was like a youngster who all of a sudden made it big … really big!

Then mix in a giant slice of the population known as the “Baby Boomers” … and you had a country dominated by youth and new money. Almost like giving car keys and liquor and money to high school kids.

So … that led to problems.

And … maybe not the best problem solvers. Maybe a society a little too young to invoke wise solutions to the emerging problems.

Obviously, we were exciting and energetic and innovative. Great qualities. But … that needed to be balanced with wisdom. Wisdom comes from a strong understanding of the big picture … and of a strong understanding of history. That knowledge can balance the revolutionary and short-sighted goals of youth.

However, wisdom was not appreciated. Wisdom was seen as stuck in the past. America was going to leap beyond the unenlightened societies of history … and create Utopia.

Do I enjoy the fruits of this modern America such as cars, technology, modern medicine, etc? Of course. Do I want to live like the Amish? No. But sometimes I do.

There are days that I dream of living out in the country … leading a simple life. A life that could be represented by wooden woods and blade irons on a Scottish links type course. A simple home … no tv, no phone, no computers … just a lot of books and a lot of conversation.

I think that America needs to slow down and clean-up its act. Sort of like a person finally admitting they have a problem and goes to AA.

The last thing America needs is more “booze”.

And … as always … what America needs is more golf.

Happy birthday America! Let’s celebrate!

Cheers!

Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com