Scrambling my memory

October 07, 2008 10:14 am

— Killing time while reading the greens ... I ran into some old friends this week and it reminded me of the many Thursday afternoons out at Live Oak Country Club playing in the scrambles.
Live Oak was a lively place back in the day and there were many very good golfers who called it home. I can’t recall all of the first names of those guys and may not remember some of the last names, but there were guys out there who could flat play that course.
Stennis Carter had played so many rounds out there that even though his vision had failed him he could tell you which way the putt would break just from the feel of the green on his feet. I always enjoyed being paired with him because he could make putts every where.
The Turner brothers were the epitome of competitiveness. I think they had a regular game at least twice a week against Fred Winstead and his partner. These matches were sometimes the talk of the club and it was not unusual for all four of the guys to shoot under par.
On those Thursday afternoon scrambles you stood the chance to win up to a dozen golf balls for first place. I was never quite sure how the teams were determined, but the “A” players would come out of the pro shop with teams of A, B, C and D players and a starting hole. I was fortunate enough to get to play with some of the regulars who could help line up putts and occasionally hit one out there pretty far. If we could chip one in or at least close, we stood a good chance after the nine holes were done.
It is a shame those memories will fade away as the grass that once was expertly manicured grows tall and is taken over by weeds. The ghosts of those who enjoyed the amenities of our only country club will haunt that part of town for ever. Just like the memories of runways that used to be where Hall Middle School now sits will be in the minds of us old timers.
We have liked it hott out at Live Oak Country Club for a long time, but in the Real World we will have to play our golf at one of the county’s seven other courses.
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Butch Hott is a guest columnist. He can be reached at butch_hott@excite.com. Columns submitted to The Weatherford Democrat by guest writers reflect the opinions of the writer and in no way reflect the beliefs or opinions of The Weatherford Democrat.