Author: tholleyjr
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New Season, New Hopes
3/2723 If you live in the Mid-Atlantic region, as I do, “The Ides of March” means more to you than the infamous threat in William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. “Ides” is a reference to the middle of the month. Literally, the “Ides of March” means March 15th. What is the significance of March 15th where…
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On Golf and Friendship
2/24/23 I admit to being a golfaholic. Personally, I don’t think that I have a golf addiction problem, but I acknowledge that self-awareness tends to be “blind” when it comes to addiction. Given that preamble, you might think that I only associate with golfers. That is not true! I have several good friends (and most…
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On (Life Modified) Winter Golf
1/23/23 As we enter 2023, I reflect back on my early December 2022 entry. In that pre-surgery entry, I offered my general approach to working on my game during the “off season” over the years. Winter weather, in areas of the country where golf can’t be played comfortably, requires a different approach to playing in…
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On Winter Golf
12/12/22 If you’re like me and live in a part of the country where winter is really winter (cold and snow), then winter can be a difficult time for a person who loves golf! I’m talking about reasonable winter. For those who live in New England, the Great Lakes region, etc., you have unreasonable winter…
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When Golf Hurts
11/8/22 As I have said before, in its simplest form, golf mirrors life. We all wake up every day hoping for a fulfilling and joyous day, but the reality is that we’re going to have unpleasant days from time to time. Life’s challenges are part of life’s journey! I can honestly say that I’ve never…
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My Personal Black Club Experience
10/13/22 In my previous post, I wrote about the historical and cultural foundations of black golf clubs in America. In general, these clubs formed as an alternative to the exclusion faced by black golfers from white clubs and courses. While those exclusions have moderated greatly in the last two to three decades, black golf clubs…
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The “Why” Behind Black Golf Clubs
9/12/22 There are lots of reasons, out of practical and emotional necessity, why formal organizations are and have been an essential part of African-American culture since the late 1800s. There is power and comfort in numbers. Several people with a common bond and goals will be stronger than any individual. Furthermore, the history of segregation…
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On Tiger Woods and Heroes
8/3/22 There is so much to the “Tiger Woods” phenomenon. This essay can’t cover it all. While his popularity and societal impact have lessened from their former perch, like other popular athletic icons, Tiger Woods is many things to many people. As a culture, we idolize successful athletes. Over history, names like Babe Ruth, Jackie…
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The Joy of the Golf Challenge
6/29/22 In its simplest form, golf mirrors life. We face our day-to-day needs by trying to satisfy them. We face our day-to-day challenges by attempting to overcome them. For me, the most significant human desire that golf addresses is the need to be challenged. Regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, age, or any human categories that…
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Thoughts on HBCUs (not golf directly, but related as a part of the African-American experience.)
2/1/22 I wrote the following essay before deciding on “blogging” on the topic of “African-American” golf specifically. Like HBCUs, African-American golf clubs (I belong to one) were formed over the years as an outlet for black golfers not welcomed at private clubs or when public accommodations were inaccessible. I’ll write more on the “Black Golf…
Perspectives from an Average Black Golfer 