In the lecture on Heinlein’s Rules, I talk about my writing years between 1975 and 1982. But frighteningly enough, I had a couple of professions before I took up writing while in architecture and then law school. I was an avid skier and golfer, but in 1971 I quit skiing and teaching skiing and went fully to golf, turning professional in 1972.
Yeah, I know, hard to imagine me as a golf professional looking at the pictures at the top and side of this blog. But I was pretty good in those days. (I got worse every year for decades after those years. They were my peak.)
I was what was called a “trunk slammer” on some tour stops, meaning I went to the Monday morning qualifying to get into the big tournament and then when I didn’t get in, tossed my clubs in the trunk and slammed the lid and either headed for the next stop or back to my course to practice more.
In those years I was based in Palm Springs, California and actually was a head professional in 1973-74 of a country club there as well as playing tournaments occasionally. I also drank far too much, but that’s another story. (grin)
This last weekend, while in Boise visiting family and friends, I wondered into a room at my mother’s house and saw the picture below on her wall and asked her if I could take it and copy it. So this picture is a scan of a copy of a very old photograph. (The first one I put up was very faded, but wonderful Veronika from the UK grabbed it and tweaked the colors back some. Thanks!!)
Since I had a house fire in 1985 and lost everything, including all pictures, this is the only picture I have of my golf course and me back in those days. Yes, the kid in the picture was the head professional of that eighteen hole country club. (The restaurant is behind me and the tennis courts in the background.)
Thanks, mom, for the picture.
So just a glimpse into one of my earlier careers after skiing, but before architecture and writing.
Now the question is: Who stole my 1973 body? I want it back in exchange for this thing I’m limping around in now. (grin)
You should do what I did and take up darts. It’s the only sport in which unwieldy geezers like can us can still be professional athletes. You already have the necessary foundation for the math skills–better than I had when I started 20+ years ago–and as a bonus, it’s the only sport you can play with a beer in one hand.
In my family we call those blackmail pictures.
Love the white belt.
Yeah, I had a ton of white belts. I was the head professional, so I also owned a complete small sports shop in that building behind me in my pro shop, as they were called. It was not only stocked with golf clubs, but with clothing. At this point I was also a college flunky (I had flunked out of college by signing up and never attending so that I could stay out of Vietnam back in the late 1960s.) When a year after this picture I decided to try to go back to school and actually get an education (I felt like an old guy at the ripe old age of 24), I moved with me ten slacks like those with ten matching shoes like the ones I am wearing in the picture. All those clothes and shoes and belts soon got tossed out when it became clear how wrong that style was for walking around a college campus in 1974. (grin)
I love the white belt! I had one just like it though I had to wear it selectively. I never wanted it to clash with my paisley bell bottoms.
That’s you????? Wow… Beautiful man. Lucky Kris.
Wish someone would have told me I looked that good back then. (grin) Thanks. I was too much of a nerd and golf geek to have any self-confidence in anything dating-like.
Damn. No wonder Kris fell for you. WHAT A HUNK!
At the time of that picture, Kris was 12. (grin) I wouldn’t meet here for another 14 years. I still had two marriages to get through. (grin) But I was single and never married when that picture was taken.
Dig that Herb Tarlick belt! Crazy, man, crazy.
My mom has a picture of me at around that time. I’m maybe four years old and she has me dressed in some crazy plaid pants (red white and blue) and a blue blazer. My eyes looked to be rolled back in my head and I look possessed.
So, you’re early 70′s picture hanging on the wall at your mom’s house is MUCH better than my early 70′s picture at my mom’s house.
Great photo, Dean. Well worth treasuring. And “Who stole my 1973 body?”–isn’t that the 24 karat question; been wondering the same thing about myself! Happy writing, d:)
Before you get to full of yourself with all the compliments, I’d like to point out that I’m 40 and was born the year the picture was taken …
You’re welcome…
No, I don’t have any friends….
Yeah, Dean, you might want that 1973 body, but I think I’d skip the 1973 shirt.
Oh, good lord you look young!
I have a few pictures from Clarion 1982. You could probably get more and better ones from Nina, but I’d be happy to dig them out and scan them.
Thanks, Camille, but for the moment I think I have had enough flashbacks. (grin)
Groovy! I can dig that whole scene, man.
I was about 14 in 1973, and David Cassidy was my main man, but if that picture had been in TEEN BEAT, I would have so been in love with you.
I’d like my 1977 body back, without the clothing style. I can’t believe we wore some of that stuff. lol
Ack! I meant TIGER BEAT.
Yep, memory’s failing. he-he
You know, I don’t think I’ve ever taken a single picture where I didn’t think I looked silly/stupid/goofy, etc.
Clearly, I needed to have taken up golf.
And I agree with the others who’ve chimed in: great belt.