June Gloom has left Southern California rather early this year. It was a clear and warm morning. I haven’t played golf in more than two months. Since my birthday in the early days of April. A herniated disc they told me. Not prognosis on getting back to health. I had had enough of doing nothing. I texted my group and firmly announced that I WILL be playing this Saturday. Club down and swing easy I tell myself as I set my alarm for 0530. Two braces and a handful of ibuprofen I set out, with a brand new bid of Titelists with the Chevy logo given to me by one of my technicians earlier that week. The first tee I hit a line drive into the bunker. Damn! But a perfect out and I par the first hole. My usual cup of Earl Grey tea is awaking my senses and I continue on. My goal is bogey golf. I shoot two strokes below that finishes the front with two pars and a 30 foot birdie out. But the pain, the heat of the tea and the Southern California sun wear on me. I switch to water. And by water I mean Coors Lite and that was actually on about the 4th hole. I’m 6 over as we approach the 16th. 4 beers 8 smokes and 3 more pills in I walk to the tee box. “135 yards” Thomas, the best player in our group announces. This hole, usually short and right. I pull my 5 iron out and place the ball on my purple, short, martini style tee. Swing easy and turn my belly toward the flag. Waiting for the pain as I get my hips into it. It doesn’t come. The ball flies straight and true. There is a shadow from the trees blanketing the front of the tee and the red flag. Thomas cocks his head and says “I think we’re drinking.” The others tee off. Three balls are found on or near the green. My Titelist 3 … It was in the hole