Nothing Crushes A Golfer’s Spirit

NOTHING CRUSHES A GOLFER’S SPIRIT as much as self-destructing at the end of a match. In the 1999 British Open, Jean Van de Velde became brokenhearted after turning an almost certain victory into an improbable loss.

The 33-year-old Frenchman held a three-shot lead over Paul Lawrie and Justin Leonard after 17 holes in Sunday’s final round. Only a total collapse stood between him and the winner’s check. But Van de Velde butchered No. 18.

His tee shot sailed 50 yards right of the fairway and landed on a small peninsula. Instead of playing safe and pitching out, he aimed for the pin with his 2 iron. But the ball hit a grandstand 40 yards short of the green and bounded into the rough. Van de Velde’s third shot plopped into the water.

The Frenchman took off his shoes and socks and waded into the creek, hoping his ball would be playable. But before he could reach it, the ball sank into the water’s depths, forcing him to take a penalty-shot drop. After sending his fifth shot into a greenside bunker, Van de Velde managed to pitch out and sink a six-foot putt for a triple-bogey seven.

Van de Velde tied with Paul Lawrie and Justin Leonard at 6-under at the end of four rounds, and the trio entered a four-hole playoff. All three golfers struggled on 15 and 16. But Lawrie birdied the final two holes for the title, forcing Van de Velde to accept a disappointing loss.

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POINT Nothing hurts athletes more than having victory in the palm of their hand and letting it slip away. And the same holds true in life. Losing an honor, a good grade, a scholarship, a job opportunity, or a good relationship creates deep wounds.

And when the hurt stays in the pit of the stomach and the what-ifs replay over and over in the mind, Jesus understands. The psalmist says that God can heal our broken heart and bandage our wounds. Then the Father lovingly offers time to repair the damage and fade the scars.

GOAL! Remember a time a sure thing slipped away from you. How did you feel? Praise God for his ability to heal hearts and hurts.