A Number One Golfer Versus Mainstream Culture by Chris Lewis

I believe that from the time we are born, each of us has a burning ambition, not only to strive for success, but also to achieve it.

Just observe the determination of a not yet crawling baby to somehow reach the desired object just beyond his reach. Consider the heroic efforts of a child battling to take his first steps. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way , those qualities of perseverance and determination often fade away -- to be replaced by a tendency towards either minimal effort, or, in some cases, a readiness to give up altogether.

Why? Why does a child of five, determined to climb the highest branch of a tree become, at twenty one, just another failure swelling the ranks of the dole queue? What happens?

I believe the answer lies rooted somewhere in the following story.

The story is about a young teenager who has just decided what he wants to do with his life. After attending a golf tournament where he sees the best players in the world compete, the inspired fourteen year old, who has never swung a club, asked his father if he could take some golf lessons.

The father agreed to arrange his first lesson for the following evening. “But I’ll have to wait twenty four hours,” the boy disappointedly replied. In any event, the boy patiently waited and the lessons were a great success.

Two years and thousands of golf balls later, the boy told his parents that he wanted to leave school and devote more time to his golf. “And why would you want to do that?” his parents asked. The boy informed them that he was going to be the best golf player in the world. “But…” his parents protested “the chances are only one in a million.” “That’s right’” said the boy, “and I’m going to be that one.” The boy left school, and went on to realize his dream.

His name was Nick Faldo.

Incidentally, the Faldo story was drawn to my attention by another sporting great, Ivan Lendl. In his own words, Ivan told his “skeptical father exactly the same thing that Faldo told his father

About The Author

Copyright 2006 -- Chris Lewis is a former No 1 ranked junior tennis player in the world and Wimbledon finalist in 1983. During his playing career, his coaches were Harry Hopman and Tony Roche. To read Chris's tennis articles and free tennis tips, please visit his website at http://Expert-Tennis-Tips.com.