On the Green Comic » blog

Avoiding The Office

On the Green Comic — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 10:37:24 +0000

Wow, I am silly. I’ve been stuck for a few weeks, couldn’t write or really feel direction and purpose. My motor was running a few spark plugs short and while the body was moving, it was moving on 4 cylinders instead of 8 cylinders and beyond. I personally have a hard time functioning on 4 Cylinders. It’s similar to watching a misfiring car chug down the road or constantly hooking the golf ball into the woods. As I tuned into the direction for my day I was thinking about the workshop/event-“Everyday is Christmas When You Are In Luvv”- that I am doing this Sunday.

After working out and doing some errands I decided to go to the putting green and putt for thirty minutes or so. My putting could use some brushing up and I would be outdoors. After putting for around 10 minutes, it dawned on me that I had been avoiding my office. I’ve been a golfer for twenty years and early on I discovered that the golf course was my office. It is the place that I go to learn, be inspired, and just relax and breath. I hadn’t been to the office for some time. I had been of the golf course last week, but not sure I was in office mode.

When I enter the office, I enter into a fantasy place. The office is a place where ideas come to me and I get clearer direction on how to construct them. There is a greater connection to the All and my listening increases. There is an ease and trust that gets generated at a higher level. My office makes my life more fun and takes me beyond my mind.

I am sure many people have an office similar to mine. For some it’s hiking in the mountains, for others it could be tennis, running, or some other adventure. The key is to find your own office and make sure you visit it as much as possible.

Unleash The Dragon

On the Green Comic — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:05:47 +0000

Unleash the Dragon 11-18-11 from World of Welcome on Vimeo.

Fun Golf shots

On the Green Comic — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 07:24:31 +0000

Have Fun Playing golf

On the Green Comic — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 22:29:05 +0000

The other day I was on the driving range taking a golf lesson and I realized that what I truly luvv about golf is the learning process. I like to play and have fun doing that, but the process of getting better is really fun. This video shows just how much fun it is to learn…

Golf Saved my Life

On the Green Comic — Sat, 04 Sep 2010 06:26:44 +0000

Golf Saved My Life

Coaching golf fills the void

Related Links

By Jim Fett

With Max Adler

Photo By Dom Furore

July 2010

In October 1995 my son, James, died in a car accident. He was 29, living in Williamsburg, Va., working in the food-service industry. He was trying to climb his way to head chef and was working long, late hours. Crazy hours. Driving home from the restaurant he fell asleep at the wheel. It was a Sunday night.

James’ mother and I were divorced. She had remarried, and our daughter, Lara, then 24, was out of the house. Both of my parents had passed, and my brother had passed. I just felt very alone.

Life doesn’t have the same meaning when your child dies. You become numb. It might sound simple, but I’m sure that’s the right term. You retreat within yourself, and the motions of your days become mechanical. Even though I knew it was illogical, I couldn’t get rid of this gnawing feeling that I should’ve been able to prevent James’ death. That there was something I should’ve done or said to him that I didn’t.

I returned to work quickly. After 20 years in the criminal-justice system, I had taken a new job the year before, as an interventionist helping problem kids at Kalamazoo Central High School in Kalamazoo, Mich. It was a troubled place at the time; about 70 percent of the kids were on free or reduced-price lunch. My job was tough because most of the time I didn’t know if I was being effective. You try to get these youngsters to recognize the connection between their bad home lives and their shortcomings at school, and most of the time your efforts prove futile. They stay on the same track, and within a year or two they’re full dropouts and more often than not involved in criminal activity.

Not that I was handling my problems much better. That first winter I was broken, emotionally and physically. I could barely eat or sleep, which was affecting my performance at school. In the spring the golf coach, Victor Callahan, asked if I’d help with the junior-varsity girls. The assistant position would be unpaid, but I knew Victor was getting ready to retire and was looking to train a replacement. We had been on a few golf trips together, I had an 11-handicap, and Victor knew I was a decent guy the kids would look up to. I said sure.

Forget any extra income. It was the best thing that could’ve happened to me. Suddenly I was surrounded by 12 girls, all brimming with life and energy. These were good kids who wanted to do something positive with their time. In addition to golf, they were in school bands and plays and all sorts of activities. Sure, I taught them how to hit chip shots and such, but what I got in return was much greater. They let me be normal again, open and outgoing, which was how I used to be.

James was a good golfer. I got him started when he was 14. He played on his high school team and could sometimes break 80, so he was a pretty quick study. He used to work cleaning carts at Lake Doster Golf Club, north of Kalamazoo so he could play in the evenings. Coaching reminded me of the rounds we used to play together. They’re nice times to remember.

I’m 67 now and have been the head coach of the boys and girls programs for almost 15 years. I’m also coming up on my 11th wedding anniversary to a special-education teacher, a wonderful woman named Pam. If it weren’t for coaching, I’m not sure we would’ve ever gotten together.

My current team of boys all learned when they were young, but many of my girls are beginners. It’s hard enough finding them clubs to play with, let alone worrying about their scores. Heck, I want them to get better, to get the ball in the hole and win. I read all the instruction magazines and sport psychology books, looking for tips that might be helpful at the next practice. But what’s most important is that I be a person these kids can rely on. Because I rely on them to fill the void in my life.

Did golf save your life? E-mail us at golfsavedmylife@golfdigest.com.

Keywords:: Golf Saved My Life,; Max Adler,; Golf Digest,; Jim Fett

Kick Butt Coffee Cup

On the Green Comic — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 09:13:05 +0000

Visit the Hoop Hound site on Zazzle to purchase both Hoop and golf wear and merchandise. Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas.

Buy the Artwork you see here

On the Green Comic — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:44:44 +0000

http://www.zazzle.com/Hoophound

A Happy Golfer Indeed

On the Green Comic — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:25:24 +0000

No Thanks, but a lot of Appreciation.

This Thanksgiving I thought about my luvv affair with Golf and all that I had to be appreciative about. It came out as a list so here it goes.

Very appreciative of finding the game in 1991, prior to my son Pharoah being born

Appreciative of discovering Bobbie Riggs the golf pro at Westchester golf course that took me through my first year of learning the game. It’s funny after 18 years how things that she was trying to teach me then, I now understand.

My wife Gail, wow, what can I say. From the beginning she has encouraged me to pursue the addiction and along with the Spirit and the All, been my greatest backer. She is absolutely a great companion to have in this life.

My son Pharoah. Amazing kid, with an Amazing name. I know one day we’ll spend more time on the golf course (game is too slow for him right now), but he’s always embraced the game with me and encouraged me to play it.

I met my best buddy Dave on a golf course in 1992 and then the following week, we were paired together again. We’ve been playing golf with each other ever since. I like to say he’s an acquired taste. His heart full of luvv.

Sharon McKenzie, the sexy one. I remember taking her to the range in her sexy short skirts and having all the guys ask me who she was. I still owe her golf lessons.

Mary Suz. wow how am I surrounded by all these amazing women. Mary Suz and I have a connection that belies the flesh. It’s deep in the soul. She was the driving force behind the original On The Green Comic book.

Eric Graves, he was the adventurer who said “I will”, when I was looking for an artist to draw my first comic book, “On The Green “. His willingness to learn and discover will stay with me always.

Gus at the Grill, at Penmar, make the best food and is has a funny attitude about everything. He is always right.ha.ha.

Big Game James, my brother has that name because he at least talks be game, for a guy who only play Tiger golf on the 360, but he keeps me laughing (which is very good), and on occasion can hit a 250 yard drive on the range

My buddy Tony. Who constantly invites me to special golf events, on great courses and to his private club from time to time. I feel that I have a membership

Brian Benedict, who is Superintendent at a very find course in New York. I was able to play the course for my birthday because of him.

Joe Benedict, just a great companion and soul mate.

To John, my business partner with Hoop Masters. He doesn’t always understand me, nor I him, but we hang in there with each other.

To Nora who several years ago, when I had no money and was a little down, gave me $1000 to just golf. I’ve never forgotten that.

To MP, who is the first comedian who warms up his own jokes. What a spirit.

To Lori, Rain, or Brooke, whatever name she decides to hold on to for introducing me to Lou

To Lou who brought color and life to www.onthegreencomic.com. He is a very talented guy who I know will continue to grow as an artist and a person.

To Henry who has encouraged me, prodded me, kick my butt, and who is an explorer of life and learning.

I appreciate all I’ve mentioned and haven’t mentioned. The journey of golf has also been a journey of life. Be Happy Today And Everyday.

Be Happy This Thanksgiving

On the Green Comic — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 01:34:12 +0000

Happy Gilmore taking a swing at life

I texted several people today who weren’t on FB, or my email, or who I don’t see. I was about to stop and I heard to do one more group text. So I did. While most of my responses where the traditional, thanks, you too, love to your family. There was one that defined why I was directed to do the text thing. A friend from High School was in need of some cheer. She was very happy to get my message and told me a lot about some of the things she has been going through. She fell down a flight of stairs and broke her heel and ankle and tor ligaments in her other leg. Was in an abusive relationship for 12 years and just not a very happy life to date.

She has no family, her mom, passed away a few years ago. So my “Be Happy this Thanksgiving”, message provided her with a little joy. Glad I listened. You never know why one is directed to do something. I was happy to have at least for a moment to have been the vehicle of a little Happiness in her life today.

Be Happy This Thanksgiving and Every Day.

Sometimes we take ourselves too Seriously

On the Green Comic — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 07:28:28 +0000