In April of this year, I sent out invitations to the 2011 tournament. One went to the good people at Columbia's downtown Marriott. Within a week, I got an email from them saying "We are in!" along with the names of 3 team members. I was excited (as I always am) about another new team in the field. A few weeks went by, and I got a call from the female member of their team. Her name is being withheld at this time to protect the innocent. She said "I'm not going to be playing." so I requested that someone call me when the third player was finalized. When I inquired about how the remaining 2 team members play, she said "Not very good". She indicated that she played regularly and wasn't a bad golfer, however her co-workers shoot about 110. I am now wondering if she is bailing out on this poor team, but I let her off the phone without further questions. I went to meet with team captain Richard Secord (pictured above in navy shirt) to find out more about their team. During the meeting, I popped the question: "Well, how is your golf game?" He put his arm around me and said "John, I haven't played in 6 months, and then I had to borrow clubs. My teammates play about like I do." At this point, I am thinking "What am I going to do with this team? Who can I pair them with so both teams have fun without holding up the golf course. Mr. Secord is a first class guy who runs a first class businesss. How can do I right by him?" Leaving the Marriott with what I considered a real problem on my hands, I stopped by to see Ray Carci and Barry Coates at the Special Olympics office. Ray and Barry are pictured at right in the black and white striped shirt and green shirt respectively. I explained my dilemma, and they gave me a confused look. Ray spoke up and said "No problem. We would be happy to play with them. We do business with them and know them well." In three years of doing the tournament, those were among the sweetest words ever spoken. I feel that a key part of my job is matching teams up so everyone will have a great day on the course - win or lose. Whew...Crisis averted!
During the next few weeks however, a new concern began creeping into my thoughts. How was I going to keep the pace of play moving with that grouping in the field? They were all so excited about participating in the Invitational, ...just the kind of people we are looking for. I decided I could let Team Marriott play from the front/senior tees. On the day of the tournament, they pulled up in their (thankfully) fully equipped carts - clubs and all! I explained to Team Special Olympics and Team Marriott about the rules of play for the day. When I added the part about Marriott's team playing from the senior tees as an option, I said "Ray, keep an eye on them and if they start playing too well, move them back to the tournament tees". He responded that he could handle that. Two hours elapsed, which is the common target time for nine holes, and the teams rolled up to the scoreboard. I asked about their progress, and whether the tee option was helping them out. Mr. Secord looked at me and said "What do you mean? We're playing the tournament tees like everyone else." Not too often am I at a loss for words, however this is one time that I was speechless. I have learned some major life lessons from this. Don't create big problems from small worries. Good people can be counted on to help things run smoothly. It's not how well you play the game of golf...it's how you play the game of life.
When looking for lodging, dinner and hospitality, please call the Columbia Marriott or the Columbia Courtyard at USC. Thanks to this team of quality folks that we will be honored to have in the field for next year's tournament:
Richard Secord, area director of sales and marketing
Jason Reader, area general manager
Mr. President (alternate 3rd player...not THE president)
Kacy Glowienka, business travel manager
