After a perfect week of weather I woke to a dreary wet Saturday morning. I knew it was a synthetic surface and the footing would be good, I just worried about Wyatt. If it was short passes I knew Jim would be fine. However it would be what it became and there was nothing either school could do about it. I put coffee on and went looking for the paper. I opened the door and there at my feet was a paper. I was guessing dad got the weekend paper for me. I waited for the coffee and then opened to the sports page to see what went on last night. I was amazed to see the team we beat last week won their game. Looking at our 4 A class it was pretty much as expected. I checked the 2 A class and saw that Sam's team lost again and were now 1 - 2. Sam did not have a good night as he threw for 94 yards, a TD but two interceptions. In the very brief article he came off a bit snarly saying he was under pressure all night. I just smiled thinking he held the ball too long trying to read coverage.
Then there was an article about our game, billing it as the regular season game of the year. The article indicated that it was size and strength against speed and athleticism. Then the article went on to say there were D-1 prospects unlike anything seen in years. By the reporter count there were 2 freshmen prospects and 3 sophomore prospects. Most of the upperclassman D-1
players had made verbal commitments already. Then the reporter indicated that none of those were binding. Then there were comments about our QB situation. The article ended with us projected to win 17-14.
I refilled my coffee and decided I needed to eat something so I made a small two egg omelet and toast. I sat down to eat and when I turned the page I almost shit as there was a picture of a smiling Cole. The headline was JUNIOR GOLFER DOMINATES AS EXPECTED. It went on to say that it isn't often that one of the top rated armatures in the world would simply decide to play high school golf. When asked about that Cole Simmons said, last summer the pressure of doing what I was able accomplish was very very intense. Then Cole said school and grades are important and I have decided to use my exemptions to play some on the PGA tour. I have had a lot of support, AP, Fred, my caddy Liam, my pro from Oakmont and my big brother MJ. It's not that high school golf is easy but it's fun to play with you buds from school. I work hard at the game and am blessed wit talent. I just wish more people would watch High School Golf. The article went on to list Cole's accomplishments and his relationship with AP, Fred Couples and Oakmont.
I cleaned up the breakfast disses and jumped into the shower. I dressed in jeans and a tee and then thought about dinner and knew I had to wear the USGA jacket and a tie. I drove to school and was there about 15 minutes early and it was still raining. Inside it was a focused and intense group, I was thinking possibly two intense. Wyatt on the other hand was loose and clowning around with his linemen. This getting almost fully dressed for the game sucked but the other team had the same problem and they didn't have a home field and rented what was available. They blew it on this game as the game was sold out and they could have sold another thousand tickets at a bigger facility. Coach came in and said saddle up and we left for the buss wearing pads and game pants and our game shirts but carrying our helmets and shoulder pads. All this took an hour and we were getting antsy and the 20 minute bus ride took 35 minutes and I was thinking I would never get off the damn bus. There was a room for us to go to but no shower or lockers. I knew one thing for sure and if I changed my mind about VT I wasn't playing D-3 here at CMU. It would be no football at all. Shoulder pads were strapped on and covered by game jerseys and helmets on and we went outside to a very light rain and some sign that the rain was over.
During warmups I was watching more than running drills and the footing was good, Jim was dealing with the short passes and had some zip on the ball and Wyatt with the gloves on wasn't missing a beat. Rod was hitting field goals from 40 yards out easily and that might be the best sign of all. At the normal time 20 minutes before kicks we went back in the cramped room and I realized it hadn't stopped raining all warmups. JJ asked if I was playing today as he said I was uninvolved in warmups. I sample and said, just taking it easy as I'm about to get the shit kicked out of me. This is going to be physical. Coach gave a short talk and I asked for the room and when it was players only I said guys, this is an important game but not a deal breaker. We will qualify for the playoffs win or lose today. Understand I want want to win this as much as anyone and we aren't leaving anything on the field. Watch your reads and cover each other's backs and let's kick some ass. Josh yelled one for all and I'm sure they heard the ALL FOR ONE outside. We ran onto the field and it was time for the coin toss and I looked at coach and he said tails and defer.
Jim stayed out of the coin toss, warming up and the 4 of us went out and there was the usual message from the Referee and we were shown the coin and as visitors we were to make the call and I said HEADS the coin was tossed hit the turf and bounced and it was heads and I said we will defer. As we were walking off the field I said Ref, just put it on the 20 and let's play. He just shook his head. Rod kicked off and it went 5 yards deep and as I was on defense I said to the Ref, I told you. This time he laughed. Well it didn't start well as they ran 3 plays for 11 yards and every play went away from me and Chad was doubled teamed. At this rate it would a quarter consuming drive and a TD. Instead of going to our positions at linebacker we lined up behind Josh. First Chad and then me. They broke the huddle and the QB had no idea what was up and called a time out. I have no idea what they were thinking but after the time out we did the same and just before the snap we broke to positions and this time the play went to me and the double team went the other way and I nailed the dude for a 3 yard loss. We guessed wrong on the next one but JJ sensing a run all the way supported Chad and it was now 3rd and 11 with the ball on the 30. They seemed to be telegraphing plays as everything went to where they had a double team set. JJ seemed to sense that and as free safety he was helping by equaling the odds. The screen pass on 3rd and 11 went for 5 yards and they had to punt.
JJ fair caught the punt on the 30 and we just changed field positions and JJ was doing the fair catch thing a lot and I was wondering when coach would say something. In the huddle and there was a TV time out, which I hated as we shouldn't be on TV at this level. However, this time it helped and Jim gathered us together and said coach call a half back pitch to Mike and no one in the place expect me to try a long pass so I'm going to fake the pitch to Mike and throw it as far as I can towards the right upright. The worst outcome would be an intercept and that would be the same as a punt. Under center I will yell RED 14 everyone will think I changed the play to a simple hand off but it will still be the fake pitch. We all set? Then he said ok on 1. We broke the huddle and Jim stood behind the center and surveyed the field and yelled Red 14 and I shifted one step and Jim yelled set and was still looking around and said hut and the ball was snapped and the fake to me drew a crowd and Jim lofted a pass which was a tad under thrown but JJ was so open he had time to slow down and catch it but was immediately tackled and we had a first down on the 20. Three plays later we were first and goal on the 9. Then a false start and we were on the 14. The drive stalled on and it was 4 and 11 and Coach sent in the field goal team and we were up. 3-0.
Jim was in for the entire quarter and it was just smash mouth, hard nosed football played between the 30's. The quarter ended with JJ making another fair catch on the 35 and Wyatt was in at QB. It rained lightly the entire quarter. With the quarter ending the TV people did their thing and Wyatt said well coach want to open it up but we are actually going to run that pitch play we were to run to start the game and see if the opposite works. Blue is operative and Red is not for the audibles. We all have that? Ok let's do this on 1. Wyatt stood behind center and looked around and yelled Red 14 and immediately the home staff remembering the first play started to yell pas, pass. The play went off and the pitch was spot on and I gained 35 yards. The blocking was great and their concern about a pass saved a TD as their safety slowed me down. So we were first and 10 on the 35. At that point Todd came in at HB and I was rested and it was a pounding drive and we were first and goal on the 4 and I was thinking we would be up at the half 10-0. The ball was snapped and whistles blew and flags flew and the wideout on the opposite of the play was offside. I saw Wyatt stare and in the huddle his head was bobbing up and down and I heard him say run the same damn thing, on 2. I was thinking that Wyatt might have lost it being mad and yet I knew better. What I didn't know that Wyatt had changed the count to 3 and almost no one does that. Under center he said hut, hut and the entire defense blew across the line and there was a 5 yard penalty. Wyatt just stood there smiling. The next play was a pass and Wyatt lined a hard pass to JJ who caught it in the back of the end zone and when the play was over he dropped the ball and blew on his hands like they were on fire. I almost fell over laughing when we were penalized for an illegal celebration. I thought coach Weston was going to get a penalty he was incensed about a cheap call.
JJ and I talked to Rod and asked if he could kick it higher and he said sure as it won't make the end zone for where we will start. We lined up for the kickoff and JJ and I put ourselves in and Rod was going to kick it high and left. JJ barely on sides was flying and the ball was over the receivers head and JJ blew by him and I blocked for him and JJ actually caught the ball in the air stopped in his tracks and set the ball on the turf and walked to the sideline. There was all kinds of confusion as no one had seen this before. I went to coach and said on side kick. He looked at me ran to the officials screaming ONSIDE KICK, OUR BALL. We were given the ball at the spot where JJ caught the kick. The drive went nowhere but Rod kicked a Field Goal an we were up 20-0 and the half ended.
Walking to the room for halftime I had to wonder how in a very even game we were up 20. It amazed me how strong of an arm Wyatt had even in the rain. What bothered me was the 20 as it was settling for field goals. Well it would be what it became. Coach for his part didn't know if he should wind his watch or cry. The two quarterbacks were playing fast and free with the play calls and to be honest it was about 50/50 who was running things.
We went outside for the second half and it was windy and raining heavier and I was thinking good as they will never put 3 drives together. Well we received the kickoff and JJ returned it to the 38 but we were 3 and out with Jim at QB and I knew he was done for the day. I knew I was defense all the rest of the way and Josh, Chad and I still had them off balance with the positioning. We exchanged punts and nothing was happening and then it did. They threw a swing pass and our corner back went for the interception and missed and it was 20-7. Then on our next possession Wyatt finally made a mistake and it was an interception for a TD and now it was 20-14. Now I was worried as we hadn't done shit the entire second half. Hits picked up a bit as we got got field position on the kickoff and Wyatt hit a couple of passes and we were on the 20 when the drive stalled and Rod hit a 37 yard field goal and we were now up two scores. They where on the 20 and I sacked the QB on first down and Chad blew up a play and it was 3rd and 21 on the 9 yard line and they gained 10 and had to punt. Hell even I expected JJ to fair catch the ball and it was a longish punt and JJ caught it started left turned down the middle of the field got 2 great blocks and we were now up 30-14. With 6 minutes to go. We kicked off and it was a good return. We simply wanted to avoid a quick score and they moved the ball down the field in 5 and 10 yard chunks and scored on a QB keeper and the score was 20-30. Knowing there was a real onside kick coming we were ready but a crazy bounce and they recovered. Their first play was a pass and I was on top of it blew past the blocker and dumped the QB as he released the ball which flew straight up and JJ caught it and was running for a score and I saw him look at the clock and he simply stopped and knelt down ending the play. Wyatt took 3 knees and we won 30-20.
There was no band so after the hand shake we stood in front of the fans and sang the alma mater and JJ yelled ONE FOR ALL and even the parents and the students yelled ALL FOR ONE. We started to the room we were using and Wyatt came up to me and said Mike, please tell Cole, I won the bet. Wyatt what bet? That I wouldn't throw more interceptions than TD passes and I'll be collecting. I laughed and said that's more than I want to know. JJ was getting a lot of attention as he had a great game and then he didn't score as it wasn't necessary. Then Allen Clarkson yelled hey Mike. I stoped and we hugged and I asked Hokie? He said you bet your ass and you? I said for sure. We chatted a bit and he told me you had the coaches going nuts, not knowing where you would show up and they underestimated Josh. Allen he is new at the position and a junior. We shook hands and I started to get out of the rain I was stopped by two reporters and it started with congratulations and I said thank you. Then I was asked if I knew my stats and I said nope. Well Mike you had 105 rushing 28 receiving and they are good but you dominated on defense. I just stood there and they said you had 18 tackles, 2 sacks and 8 stops for a loss. I laughed and said they ran a lot because of the weather. Mike, what's with the linebacker play as it had them befuddled? Look I get ignored and they run away from me and Chad gets beat up with double teams, we are just dividing the abuse. Guys, I'm soaked and would like to get inside, if you need more see me at school in about 30 minutes. They said sure and we will see you there. Inside everyone was pretty much stripped to pants and were bare chested. We got on the bus and as usual I was asked to sit with the coach and I handed my shoulder pads to JJ and said please watch these for a bit and I sat with coach. Mike, I'm not mad but who is running this team. I said coach ALL OF US FOR ONE TEAM. Well if would nice if we worked on some of this in practice. Coach don't get mad but who runs practice? He laughed and said well on most days me. Coach as for the play calling last year I was part of it but this year it is JIm and Wyatt so ask them but those two and JJ won this game today. Coach it isn't my concern and I know you have a relationship with his grandfather but you need to get to know Wyatt as you should have him for 3 more years. With that I went to my seat and JJ and I chatted the entire way back.
At school, I had few clothes so it was a quick shower and jeans and a tee. Outside there were only reporters. I was immediately grabbed by the guys I asked to meet me here. Mike you seem to be playing less offense this year and you good with that? I replied absolutely I don't want to end this year in the hospital wondering who won the championship. Then I apologized saying I have a USGA meeting at Oakmont and I really don't want to be late. That statement resulted I'm more questions and I said well I'm on the committee for both opens coming to Oakmont. I jumped into the car and was quickly home. It was a very quick shower and I dressed grey slacks and a white shirt and a red tie and my "special" jacket. I might have set the land speed record and somehow got there 35 minutes early.
I found Carol Semple Thompson sitting on the patio and when she saw me I was asked to sit. We chatted for a while and I asked, so what's up with this meeting? She laughed and said because they could. Well how about we close the bridge tomorrow saying it might not be sturdy enough for their event. Carol laughed so hard she spilled her drink. Mike, honestly what do you think about the trees? Carol, they are not original and were put here in the 50's and for the most part don't bother golf. I have played about a dozen times and haven't had a tree issue yet. On the other hand this is our course and they come here possibly twice every 10 years so they don't get to reshape our course. Carol, Clark said there was some concern about changes we made. She laughed and said the concern is that it's too long for the women. So a bunch of old men are going to figure that out? She laughed again and said as co-chairs we can tell them we will set the course up and let them know. Well after they hear that they will pull the event. She said Mike, because of your idea about tickets the advanced sales are up 28% and I know I don't have to tell you this but you can say whatever you want. Mike, we better head in and I can't wait to see you deal with them.
There were looks as Carol and I walked in together and I went around shaking hands and getting all the names right. AP was the last one there and he came right to me and said we have to talk jets and I said sure and the three of us sat down together. The first 30 minutes were inane items that no one cared about. Then it started with there is concerns that with the difficulty of the course, especially the greens that the course might be too long. So weather permitting we would like to see how the course will play from the traditional women's tees. I asked so who has these concerns? And I was told well a number of people. Are any of those people actually outside this room? I got a curt yes there are some. Ok let's try to keep this civil, we are one of the 5 highest rated courses in North America and easily in the top 10 world wide and we have done this before. Shortening the course is never an issue so what is the real issue? There was no answer and I asked if 6,600 yards would work and less if it rained?
There was a moment where nothing was said and then I heard young man this is our tournament and we will run it the way we want. I simply said I understand but you brought it up and this is our course and while you rent it a couple of times every 10 years or so we maintain our facilities as we see fit. So again what is the issue? Then one of them said, son you are sitting between two of the most respected golfers in the room an yet you do all the talking, why is that? I was seething and Carol tried to defuse the situation and said, Walt you might want to rephrase that question as I can assure you, you won't like what happens next. I said never mind Carol and I stood up took of my USGA jacket, put it on the back of the chair I was sitting on and started for the door. Halfway there I stopped and turned and said Walt, I am not your son and I have other thing that I could be doing where I am respected, enjoy dinner. I took a couple of steps and AP said MJ, as a personal favor to me please rejoin us and I will explain things to these people. I returned to the table and sat down leaving the jacked on the back of the chair.
Then I saw a side of AP that I had never seen before. Walt, you disrespected a member of this committee because of his age, let me fill you in. MJ is 17 years and 352 days old. He is a high school senior, because he wants to be. He is number one academically in his school, he take classes at CMU, he flies a plane he is a VT recruit for football and I could go on but let's turn to his business activities. He was given a Trust fund from his dad, which he has tripled in a year. He bought land and built one of the most modern and impressive building in the area and there is another one under construction. His foundation funds scholarships for caddies at three clubs and large donations have been made to local police, fire and libraries. Oh, he makes more money than anyone in this room except for me. The members put him on this committee and it is because of his youth and energy and the fact he respect the rules and this place and when he is here he acts like he is a guest. MJ is polite driven and respectful and he demands that in return. As for this committee Carol and I talk with MJ a lot and he has sold more tickets than anyone in the room for the Woman's Open. Walt, you owe Mr. Simmons an apology.
I looked at AP and said thank you and as no apology was coming I said lady and gentlemen the future of golf is not around this table it is in the hands of the future stars. People like Tiger Woods and Cole Simmons and others. Someone actually asked who? Then someone said Mike is right and the Woods kid is our junior armature champion the other kid at 16 has qualified for the masters. Mike what do the three of you suggest? I looked at Carol and she said well the three of us have discussed this and we don't want the players embarrassed or the course embarrassed so we would like to invite potential participants to play a round here and provide input, at your expense of course. AP said I'll make that a motion and I said second. The vote was close and I noticed that Walt voted no but we won. Clark appeared and asked if we were ready for dinner. I stood up and was talking with Carol and was handed my jacket. The executive director smiled and said club rules I believe. In the dining room the director guided us to a table for four. The waiter immediately came over and I said good evening Adam, how is the wife and kid. Adam smiled and said great thanks for asking. Carol ordered a white wine I ordered an Arnold Palmer, the director a Manhattan and AP said my usual and he said something I didn't hear to the waiter. Then Mr. Fay asked Mike or is it MJ and I stopped him and said David Mike will be fine. He smiled and continued with, what would you like me to do with Walt Schran? I said, well leak his comments to his benefactor and let's see where the chips fall. When the drinks came I took a taste and smiled as it was spiked. I nodded to AP and said thanks. A couple of people stopped to congratulate me on the game and our salads arrived and Carol asked to see a bottle of the wine she was drinking. When the waiter returned with the bottle I almost chocked as it was a French Reserve and I saw our Logo on the label. I asked if she like the wine and she said well it is very good and I'm no expert but I want to share this with a friend or mine. A New York "French Reserve" is unique. I said, well it's old French plants grown in New York and a very distinct taste. She looked at me and asked, so how is it that you know all this? Well Carol, I'm the majority stock holder in the winery. Well to be precise MJS Enterprises, which I own holds the controlling interests. Then AP said MJ, speaking of things you own, how did you manage to pull that deal off with Cessna for their new Jet? AP, that retired astronaut that works for us still has connections and I have to promote the thing. Then I looked at Carol and said, I'll have a case shipped to you home and I'll include bottles from the ITALIAN RESERVE. Our food arrived and we had a very pleasant time and at 9:00 I said well I'm exhausted and I'll see you all for golf, I hope we can play together. 40 minutes later I was home. No sooner did I open the door when my phone rang and it was Mary Ann and she asked if she could come over. I smiled and asked, I thought this was a bad time and she said dude, there are other options, I'll be over in 30 and I said sure.
PLEASE IF POSSIBLE FIND A WAY TO CONTRIBUTE TO NIFTY. THAT CAN BE EASILY ACCOMPLISHED.
THANKS FOR THE COMMENTS AND FOR STAYING WITH THE STORY IN IT'S NEW LOCATION. THAT IS REALLY APPRECIATED AS IN THE CURRENT LOCATION THERE WILL BE NO NEW READERS.