The Golfer's Carol by Robert Bailey

Author:Robert Bailey [Bailey, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2020-11-03T00:00:00+00:00

19

I’d like to say that my friend’s locker was a treasure chest of surprises and untold secrets. But, alas, that would not be true. There were two pairs of golf shoes in the bottom cubby, one all white and one white and black. In the large middle section, there were some khaki slacks and two golf shirts hanging on adjacent hooks. On the top shelf, I saw two folded sweaters, several caps, and a shaving kit.

In between the middle and bottom shelves of the locker were two drawers. I pulled open the one on the left and saw a stack of scorecards. Most of these were from Shoal Creek, but there were others from Birmingham Country Club, Atlanta Athletic Club, Pebble Beach, and several other famous courses. There was even one from Augusta. I opened that one and saw three names written on the card. Darby Hays, Jack Nicklaus, and Tom Watson. I’ll be damned, I thought, looking over the scores. Darby had shot a sixty-eight, Jack had fired a seventy, and Watson a seventy-one. That’s a framer, I thought, rubbing my thumb over the signatures at the bottom.

I also saw the card from Twickenham Country Club, where Darby had shot fifty-seven. He hadn’t let me tell anyone at the club about his breaking the course record, but he had thought enough of the round to keep the card. I had to admit I was touched. I put the Twickenham card in my pocket.

I opened the second drawer and saw a small red spiral notebook. I wiped the dust off the unmarked cover and turned to the first page, dated seven years ago. February 22, 1979. Below it were a few sentences scribbled in my friend’s handwriting. Good practice round today at Riviera. Still haven’t figured out how to play 18. Made some putts. Can I make them when it counts? Going out tonight. Then February 24, 1979. Darby had written a shorter message. Missed practice round yesterday because I was so hungover and had to take Sally home. Another tour groupie. When am I gonna grow up?

For a moment, I felt bad reading my old friend’s inner thoughts, but I knew that no one in his family, especially Charlotte, would want any part of this experience.

That’s why she asked me to come.

Scanning the empty locker room, I noticed a sitting area with two leather chairs near the back. Sucking in a deep breath, I walked over and sat down. After only a brief hesitation, I continued to read the diary of Darby Hays.

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