You know the name of the guy who does the weather on the weekends on your favorite local TV channel? I didn’t think so. Well, he’s on the “A” list of personalities compared to me.
Yes, I’ve been on TV, some radio, but mostly I write. So outside my house, I’m on the “X” list at best. Sure, I get invited to nice places sometimes – that’s how I found myself on Mashantucket Pequot Tribal land, home of Foxwoods Resort & Casino in southeast Connecticut.
I was there along with other writers to cover the opening of the Tribal Nation’s new Lake of the Isles golf courses: the North course, which is public, and the South course, which is private. Rees Jones, architect for the tracks, along with other sports notables such as Jim Thorpe from the Champions Tour and former quarterback Joe Montana were there as well.
During lunch, Rees Jones said something cool when talking about the estimated $70-million project (which includes the clubhouse, golf academy and courses): “Construction was expensive, but designing the course was easy. The holes were always out there. I just had to walk the property and find them.”
After lunch, the media was invited to play the courses, which are set along the crest of a natural bowl encircling a 90-acre lake. The views blew me away.
Later, I hung out at the cocktail party as the sun set on a great day. It was getting late, the room was emptying, and the bar had just turned from an open one to a cash one. Then, I had a creepy feeling that someone was watching me.
I turned and looked into the eyes of a large, middle-aged guy who looked like he played 54 holes instead of 18. His shirt was hanging half out below his sweater, and he was wearing a red sweat-stained cap scrunched down on his head. His sparse gray hair was sticking out at odd angles.
He walked right up to me, and the fun began. He slurred his words, beer bottle in hand. The conversation went something like this:
Drunk guy: I know you. You’re on TV.
Sober guy (me): Well, I have been, but not recently.
Drunk guy: You’re Jim Thorpe, the golfer. (Pause, as my ego deflates)
Sober guy: Ummm, close, but you’ve got both parts wrong.
Drunk guy: No, I don’t think so. Jim Thorpe, I’ve seen you plenty of times.
Sober guy: No, I’m Bill – just a golf writer covering today’s event for a local paper.
Drunk guy: No. I’m pretty sure who you are. Hey, I need another drink. You want one, Jim?
Sober guy: Listen, Einstein. Jim Thorpe is a large, black man who’s built like a linebacker. He was here. Great guy, but that’s not me. We really don’t look alike at all.
Drunk guy: You’re Jim. I know it.
Drunk guy: You want a drink, I’m buying.
Sober guy: In that case, call me Thorpie.
Later on during my drive home, it dawned on me how similar that conversation was to the stunning Lake of Isles golf course.
In the beginning, everyone – including designers and owners – was excited and anxious to begin a new dream and start a new relationship. They were almost intoxicated with their visions and hopes for the future. They can see it … taste it. They know their thoughts and visions are real.
As the relationship with man and earth begins, new realities appear. Additional blasting of rock formations weren’t anticipated, along with environmental and cost issues. Internal struggles began. Can they adjust, change and incorporate the realities of truth into their original dreams?
Some can. Some can’t.
But when it works, when each player is able to work it out, work with it, find new visions and a new way to get along, they learn and grow. They go on to fight for new dreams and to accept the things they can’t change.
Thanks to dreams and determination, 13 years after Foxwoods Resort Casino opens, the two courses of Lake of Isles (www.lakeofisles.com) are ready for play.
Look for me. I’ll be there, and you’ll recognize me. I’m the guy who doesn’t look like Jim Thorpe. GCN
Bill Giering is a freelance writer based in Menands, N.Y. He can be reached at bgiering@empire.state.ny.us.