REAL COOL STORIES (week ended 2/2/19)
In sports – If you didn’t see highlights from the Waste Management Open this week, you missed a real, cool story.
During a practice round defending champion Gary Woodland asked Amy Bockerstette from Special Olympics Arizona to play the infamous 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale. The 16th hole is the “rowdiest hole on tour”. It is virtually enclosed by temporary stands that seat around 20,000. Spectators routinely boo bad shots and the typical golf courtesy of quiet is out the window.
However, Amy is not your average golfer. She was the first golfer to play in the Arizona high school championships with Downs Syndrome. She was awarded a scholarship to Paradise Valley Community College to play golf.
Amy hit her tee shot into the right bunker. Gary asked her, “Do you want to hit it out?”. Amy enthusiastically said, “Yeah!” Amy was saying positive things like, “I got this” and “You can do this!”. She easily got out of the bunker and was left with an 8-footer for par. She calmly walked up and stroked it in.
Gary gave Amy a huge hug and the crowd went wild!
Later Gary said, “I told her she was an inspiration to all of us and we can all learn from her. You’re our hero!”
Amy graduated from high school in 2018 and was able to speak to her fellow graduates where she imparted thirteen things she had learned in high school.
My favorite from the list was – Anyone can make a difference!
Congrats on the par Amy. I am sure there are many more in your future – and probably some birdies, too.
A real, cool story!
In life – In an annual tradition, Punxsutawney Phil could not find his shadow on Groundhog’s Day. As legend goes, we are in for an early spring. This is only the nineteenth time in 123 years that Phil has not seen his shadow.
It is probably one of the craziest traditions around and has not been a great forecaster of weather over the years.
The film, Groundhog Day, however, was one of my favorites!
A real, cool story continues!