Lessons From Another

Back when I lived in Jacksonville, FL about 19 years ago (man, where does the time go?), I was at The Players Championship, one of the four major tournaments in golf.  It's held at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, at Sawgrass, which isn't that far from Jacksonville. If you can't picture the golf course, you'll prolly recognize the famous 17th hole:

As my boyfriend and I were walking around through the dense crowd, he sees someone he knows.  We barely have time to chat because of the moving crowd but he quickly introduces me and then shares, "This is the guy who gave me those golf lessons."  Being the nice girlfriend I am, I engage with him and compliment him, even as we are whisked away in separate crowds, kinda shouting, "Nice to meet you!  He said he loved the video you did of him - really helped his swing!"

My boyfriend then tells me when, "omg, that wasn't THAT instructor, that was a different instructor.  Now he knows I got lessons from someone else and I like the other guys' style."

Opps.

My bad.

I have mentioned in my blog I have given lessons myself (on pool, not golf) and been doing so for several years.  Well, something similar happened to me the other day.

One of my past clients got lessons from someone else.  My opinion is the guy who was giving the lesson and I are about equal in the knowledge of strategy and so I was curious how the lesson went, wondering about his teaching style compared to mine.  You all know me, I like to learn, too!  My past clients' response was, "It was similar, but it was like you set me up for higher learning!"

OUCH.

I let it sting for a couple weeks (kidding, it didn't hurt, lol) and I was able to ask again about the difference.  They said again it was very similar, about strategy.

Hmm.... but I prodded, as I sensed it was a tad different type of lesson.  Like I said, I'm all about learning too, so I was interested in what would help me when I give future lessons.  They then shared it had been a while since I gave them a lesson, and so with this guy it was like a refresher lesson.

Then they finally added that he was teaching English.  Ahhhh!  That was the difference!  Yes, I only teach strategy and not how to shoot a ball or English.

I want for all my clients and friends to get better lessons and learn so much more than I can offer!  It's all about improving our game to the highest potential.  So yes, factoring in he was teaching not just strategy but also English and shot making, oh yes, that's definitely a higher level!

I felt like that instructor we saw briefly at The Players Championship. lol.  Ouch!

Watching Other Matches

I am usually an optimist, so this hadn't even crossed my mind.  But, I shouldn't have been surprised because it seems to be a theme where I hurt people after successful, personal events.  Or, after big tournaments.  I really am beginning to think I shouldn't compete anymore if I'm just going to hurt people.

First of all, I never intentionally ever hurt anyone.  But, people keep getting hurt by my actions or inaction's.

I just found out over the weekend that a couple of my friends are disappointed that I didn't come watch their team play in the finals at ACS Nationals.

What I heard was, "We have watched you play in team finals."

You see, after my own team won the 8-ball Women's Team division late Friday afternoon, we all went to celebrate at the MGM and then at the New York New York casino.

My friends had just won another match on the one-loss side in the women's 8-Ball standard division and were playing for 3rd place.

My teammates and I went upstairs and got our checks, our trophies, and took the official pics for ACS and then decided to find a place to eat and celebrate our HUGE day!  That we were 2-time National Champs because we won the 8-ball and 9-ball women's open team divisions at ACS Nationals that day.

I had heard via text later in the evening that they made it to the finals, and they would need to double dip to win.  I was SO excited for them!  

At this point in the night, my teammates and I were pretty inebriated at another casino still celebrating.  It crossed my mind to go watch, but I suppose we were being selfish having fun.  

Honestly, the timing was what was really bad.  If we were all in the finals at the same time, obviously we would have stayed.  Instead, this was about 3 hours later.

Anyway, I was told that two of my friends were disappointed in me that I didn't stay to watch them play nor come back when they were in the finals.

So, I feel like a failure (again), instead of a champion.  

I understand I hurt my friends and I am very sorry for not being there to watch.  It wasn't intentional at all, but that doesn't mean it doesn't bother them.  And now of course it bothers me.

I've learned the hard way that I can only depend on myself for support in tournaments.  Not everyone important can be there for me, even though I yearn for it.  Everyone has things going on in their lives.

I honestly didn't realize that they wanted me to watch.  I watch because I enjoy the game and like to support, but I didn't know people wanted me to watch.  I didn't know I was supposed to watch. 

I am happy to say that my friends DID win the Women's 8-Ball Standard division and are ACS National Champions as well!!!  Congrat's, ladies!!  But sorry I hurt you.