Sidney Schwartz: Hole in One

1979

My dad, Sidney Schwartz, was an avid golfer. I don’t recall when he started playing, but it was at least as early as the 1970’s, when he was in his 40’s and working at the Government Printing Office in Washington, DC. He played golf with buddies from work and was a member of UPIGA -- Union Printcraft International Golf Association. Mom and I went on a couple of UPIGA golf trips with Dad in the early to mid-1970’s – one in New York’s Catskill mountains and the other in Boca Raton, FL (my cousin Fran came along on the latter trip). They had a UPIGA Youth group – I have fond memories of hanging out with other teens and corresponding with a few of them for awhile afterward.

(Don’t ask me why I still have this ephemera!)

During my teens Mom and I took golf lessons at a country club on Georgia Avenue (Brooke Manor, I think). But golf never took hold of me or Mom. Dad didn’t seem to mind – he always had plenty of buddies to play golf with.

 

 

1990

In 1976, the PGA tournament was held at Congressional Country Club in nearby Bethesda, MD and I attended one day with Mom and Dad. Dad was thrilled to see Jack Nicklaus and other pros up close. 

 

 

My interest in golf has mainly been confined to miniature golf (with occasional forays onto the driving range). A favorite birthday activity was going to the Putt Putt golf on Rockville Pike with a friend or two.

In 1994, Dad moved to Leisure World retirement community in Silver Spring, Maryland. His condo on the 5^th floor had a slight view of the LW golf course on which he regularly played.

 

Dad spent winters in Florida (mostly Delray) the last 10 years or so of his life, which presented additional opportunities to play golf. Friends and relatives, including his son Matt, provided willing partners with whom to play.

 

Sid (3rd from left) kibitzing with his golf buddies

 

One of those winters, in March 1998, Dad played a round at Okeeheelee Golf Club with his friend Bud. On the 7^th tee, he managed to hit a hole in one! He was so excited, that he ordered a plaque which he proudly displayed on the wall in his condo.

In 2002, Dad thought he was getting a new golf buddy. His grandson David was going to golf camp and Dad designed and printed a card for him as an encouraging send-off (alas, David did not take to the game).

Yet Dad’s love of golf lives on. His grandchildren Jeanne, Lindsey, and Nicholas inherited his interest in the sport.