June 8, 2015

A story of two restaurateurs and the true game of golf

Now it happens that a "few" years ago, I played a number of charity best ball events with friends representing the Del Rio. We had the most amazing team. First there was Greg representing Froggy's. He was a darned good player. Then there were the rest of us...just barely average at best.

 But as a Best Ball Team, we were pretty darned good. I hit a straight but not distant drive. Craig was master of the fairway shot. and Maury was one of the finest men behind a wedge or short iron. Greg, never one to be modest about his game, did the rest and he did it well.

Putting this combination into play at one tournament at Kemper Lakes, we won. Now the very next year we were even better, winning it also. It seems that there was a foursome playing just behind us who had seen our play. They stopped us after the round and accused us of cheating. We laughed it off. They persisted.

Greg looked into his wallet and challenged them to play for a substantial sum for as long as his money held out or they decided to quit. The laughed scornfully. They were all low handicap players. They had watched us for 18 holes. They were certain of victory. 

They lasted three holes, paid a nice round sum and issued an appropriate apology. I believe that if asked, they could not explain ever losing to the likes of us. We graciously accepted, and went in for the dinner and awards. They did not.

June 1, 2015

The Brothers Kane

For most of my years I knew the Kane Brothers, Bill and Jim...twins and bachelors...customers and friends. They sat at the same corner table once or twice a week. They bowled and golfed with my father. They were the most gentlemenly of gentlemen I've ever met. 

Now it seems that way back when in 1967, I had just gotten over to Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry as a helicopter crew chief with the 228th Airborne Battalion. It was at the height of the buildup, and tens of thousands of GI's descended into this small country in just a few short weeks. When we got there, as is the Army's way, there was no clothing nor equipment for the onslaught of the military who had just arrived.

Now one thing that the Army always did RIGHT was to get the mail quickly back and forth. With my first letter home I mentioned, in passing, that we did not have boots nor fatigues (camouflage clothing) nor any of the other equipment such as guns and ammunition which you would expect to find in an assault battalion. My parents were more than just a little concerned. They mentioned it to everyone they saw at the restaurant including the Kane boys.  

Five days after I had posted my letter to my parents, enough supplies arrived at our base in An Khê to host a couple of Divisions easily. Our Commanding Officer thought it some sort of miracle. I now know that the Kane boys were just exercising a little of their soft-handed power. After all, the two of them controlled the supply chain for the entire Army from their headquarters at good old Fort Sheridan. How many lives did these two save with the stroke of a pen?

Over the years we've lost both brothers, but many times I look over at their corner table on a quiet night and enjoy recalling their smiles, kind conversation and easy grace. I sometimes quaff a glass of their favorite beverage, Beaujolais, in their honor. Salute.

May 26, 2015

Thank heaven for the Aussies.

At the end of my last wine buying trip, I finished my work in western Australia. All calls made...all purchases checked and paid. 

So I went to deliver my rental car, a Land Rover, to the airport office in Perth. The clerk at the counter (in the usual Aussie way) gave me the great smile, the extra firm hand shake, and the bill. I thanked him and said, "You folks are the greatest down here, down under. There was not one rental place which did not do an upgrade to my reservation, and I really appreciate it. Many thanks."

An even broader smile crossed his lips as he replied, "Just part of the service, Mate. You Yanks are the only ones down here to use these gas guzzlers. Don't you notice the price of petrol. But we love havin' ya anyhow."

As I always say...I do love those Aussies.