Influences, thoughts, suffering, love, and living to tell the story. That’s what this is. Or maybe it’s what it should be.

I found golf, in a crazy time and place. I’m on the verge of 30, running a business, engaged, living with a close friend for a few months ahead of the big day, and right in the beginning of March 2020….enter CV 19. That SOB, came roaring in with no regard. A few months of “quarantine” filled with junk food, streaming services, and Call of Duty with the boys wasn’t exactly good for my mental, physical, or emotional health. I had yet to discover the game of golf, but began to get an itch to get out on the course and try it again.

It kinda came slowly at first, I got invited by a father like figure out to play with him and a buddy mid April 2020. Then I took all my groomsmen for my bachelor party in June… then I hit the range a few times…then the easier courses in the areas south of Portland. Then the fall of 2020 hit, I was married and the wife agreed to let me buy a set of clubs. Mind you, this entire time I had been using a 20 year old pair of clubs my dad had played with in his peak golf days. A combo set of pro star off set irons and an old Callaway XJ driver, legend I know. I picked up a pair of Ping irons from the used rack at Golf Galaxy, and a 2 Hybrid. I had no clue what I was doing. Literally, I was THAT guy walking into a golf box store and asking some young dude to set me up with a beginner set that didn’t break the bank. Thankful I didn’t go for a box set, because I think my thrifty tendencies actually led me to my rightful posture towards this game.

Off I went though, GRINDING it out at the range, hitting 300-500 balls a day sometimes 6-7 days a week if I could. 9 holes at the local par 3 rain or shine for lunch breaks, 18 on any decent day off. Tucked in polos, long sleeve turtle necks to stay warm, push cart, umbrellas, the whole thang. I was trying to fit in and be a “golf guy” while I figured out the game. It’s funny looking back at those early days, and seeing that as i’ve grown in my understanding and ability in the game, my appearance on the golf course has shifted towards my off course style I had long before I first discovered it. Maybe I thought I would stand out too much, and that standing out and being really new to the game wasn’t a good thing? Maybe I thought golf had a particular set of rules, because after all it’s a “gentlemens game” right? I’m not sure. Really i’m not. But I can recall the overwhelming feeling of shame on the first tee box at times. Questioning whether or not I’d even hit the ball past my lead foot. I think thats one of my greatest motivations for becoming somewhat of a social golfer both on the internet and in person. I wanna break the barriers of what it feels like to play golf, to be a “golfer” whether it’s your first time on the tee or you’re still whacking balls at a range somewhere…you need to find someone who can remind you that we’re all golfers making our way down the grass. We’re right where we are supposed to be.

I started to find my way over this last summer season of 2021, meeting some of the best people in the Portland Golf Scene, mostly through Instagram, and on the golf course randomly. I realized that the person I have always been, the different flavor of energy and personality that I am is something the golf course needed, and I needed it even more. I’ve leaned in fully, and found deep value in so many new relationships and partnerships. You can find me downtown on Thursday Nights playing Urban Golf with the MuniKids , or chopping it up at my personal and local favorite Stone Creek Golf Club in Oregon City. I’m always around golf and looking for more ways to be around it. So whether you just found me, and are a veteran of the game or know me and are new to it all, just know that we’re the same in the fact that Golf is the median that brought us here. Let’s let it connect us from this point forward.

There is so much more to say, so lets link up for a round whether you’re in the PNW or abroad, i’m sure we’ll cross paths at some point. This game can take you anywhere for any reason. I’m just trying to let it.

Take heart fam,

JP