The Importance of Teamwork in Golf Golf isn’t usually considered a team sport. A golfer, just like a swimmer or gymnast, is judged on their individual performance. However, if you look into these sports you will notice a team of people behind each of them. What kind of teamwork is involved? In golf, there is the upkeep of the greens to be considered, and the designer of the course. How did the course become what it is? Golf courses are works of art and represent the work of hundreds of people. Then we have the people who run the clubhouse, and of course, the caddies. There are coaches to be considered. There are the fans. It’s a complex layering of people and endeavors and interests. The star of the event is the golfer. Everything revolves around his or her performance. Golfers are aware that they are the focal point, but they may or may not know the extent of what’s behind them. Most golfers have enough ego to make them excel—and enough humility to keep them trying to outdo their best at all times. As both a golfer and a golf course developer, it’s enabling for me to see both sides rather clearly. I never just see a golf course as a place to golf, but I see every foot of the course and every detail that has gone into making it what it is. I had mentioned before that I studied geomorphology (the study of movement landforms) when developing my links course in Scotland because of the enormous sand dunes on the property. And of course as a developer, I see the incredible amount of manpower required to sculpt the land and get it into playable shape. I don’t take anything for granted. As a golfer, I know these details and am aware of them as I golf. That doesn’t take away from my concentration, but it enhances it in the sense that I have a full appreciation for what I am doing. Golf is fantastic, and to golf is even more fantastic. I get the big picture and it’s very clear to me. I would hope that every golfer has this tremendous sense of gratitude when they are golfing. It’s a great team feeling.
Donald J. Trump
kingdom
20
summer
2011
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