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Chip Shots from the Ruff of Life
by Tom Kelley
At the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida, is a replica of one of the most famous bridges in the world. It is not a model made to scale. No, this is the full sized copy of the real deal. It would actually fit inside many folks homes. It is a simple stone bridge made to span the Swilcun Burn on the Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland. When I saw the bridge I got cold chills. That bridge has been the site of many a legend of golf's walk to glory as they made their way down the last fairway in the British Open.
Francis Ouimet, James Braid, Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris are some of those who have walked across that bridge. As sacred a walk as any in golf. Those men blazed the path that has been most brightly walked by such men as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. And, yes, Robert Tyre Jones, Jr. They loved their wee Bobby at the Old Course. To look at the equipment back then and compare it to what is being used now is a reminder of the age of the game.
But the bridge. That old stone bridge copied faithfully, stands as a quiet reminder that the game has lasted longer, much longer, than her champions. Oh, the names are remembered today by some die hard fans of golf like myself who have read and studied. We know the names well. But very few there are of the masses that watch Tiger and Ernie, Phil and Vijay today that know much of Harry Vardon or James Braid. But the site of Jack Nicklaus standing on the bridge across the Swilcun Burn that last day of the Open Championship last year will link them to the history of the game.
Yes, I get a chill when I see that bridge. I get a bigger chill when I see a cross. Whether it is a small gold one on a chain around someone's neck or one of those standing on knolls across the country, it means so much to me. My Savior died on a cross. Countless others owe their salvation to what happened on a cross. Numberless multitudes who went before the cross were pointing their lives toward it through faith in God. Yet there are those who see it as a problem.
"We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." 1 Corinthians 1:23, 24 The next time you see a cross remember what and who it represents. Say the names of those who have gone before us clinging to the hope of the cross. Then say the name of the one who died on it. Say the name of Jesus and be thankful to God that He sent His Son in the flesh to die on a cross.
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...He was the Minister of the Minorsville Christian Church located near Stamping Ground, KY.
...Becky and Tom have three children; John, single and in worship ministry in Nicholasville, Kentucky; Sean, married (Jennifer, elementary school teacher) with twins (Grace and Patrick, b.d. 10/31/04) and regional director of Papa John's Pizza in Central KY; Kara, married (Vince Taylor, prison guard) and working with Hospice East in Winchester, KY.
...Tom went to be with the Lord on November 13, 2009 after a lengthy battle with cancer. If you have been touched by Tom's writings please send an email to Tom's son at jkelley@catalystchristian.net
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