BARBARA TAYLOR
Blog: September-October 2012
PEBBLE BEACH MEETS BAKARI BOLDEN
If following and reading my blogs is part of what you do, you too would have met Bakari Bolden, the 16-year-old junior member of the South Los Angeles chapter of The First Tee.
I know you remember that Bakari, among 80 other First Tee youngsters, was selected to participate in the Nature Valley First Tee open Tournament at Pebble Beach, Calif., on July 6-8, 2012.
OK, do you remember in my last blog I told you that I interviewed him on 6/23/12–which was before the tournament; I also told you that it would be televised internationally on The Golf Channel, and that my eyes would be glued to the television, watching every inch of the game, eating tuna sandwiches and drinking ice tea . Well!!– let me just say my eye gluing, viewing didn’t happen. It was one of those “best laid plan” kind of things.
Realizing that Bakari is a busy young man, I managed to arrange a Pebble-beach follow-up interview with him on 6/21/12 at Maggie Hathaway’s Golf Course, the home of the South Los Angeles chapter of the First Tee.
When I arrived at the golf course, Bakari had just began delivering his speech, to the younger kids, the Birdies, Pars and Eagles, from The First Tees groups, sharing with them his experience at Pebble Beach, and advising them to work harder at golf. In addition he stressed that they also need to believe in themselves.
Following his speech Bakari was scheduled to start his Saturday morning mentoring duties, by taking a group of four, to play 9 holes and asked me to follow him, so he could tell “me” all about his Pebble Beach experience, and how that experience changed his core values, his life, his thought process, and more importantly what he learned about himself.
We are now walking the golf course, and because of the blazing hot sun–and my body not being in shape for the day heat, and humidity–I’m trying my best to stay focused.
During my “walk and talk” with Bakari, he shared with me that the whole Pebble Beach experience was surreal. However, the day he set his foot on Pebble Beach, his confidence level took a sharp nose dive south, he contributes that to having a multitude of uncertainties, and being emotionally tense. He then stated, that for his own good he had to put his mind-set of his belief that “He is in life where he is suppose to be”.
Bakari also shared, that practice, practice, practice, with energy to spare, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., is what all The First Tee participants did for the first 2 days after arrival, and on many occasions he lost track of time. All 81 participants knew that on the second day there would be a cut.
Bakari was 1 of the 23 juniors that made the cut, and after making the cut he finished 13 in the Nature Valley First Tee Tournament! This was a great representation as well as a valuable experience and lesson. Bakari felt that he should have done better, but what he did learn was how to fight back after not meeting his own expectations, how to maintain confidence and still remain humble, and motivated.
One week after the Nature Valley Tournament Bakari competed, and showcased his talents in the Medford, Oregon AIGA Junior Golf Tournament competing with juniors from all over the world, and gues
s what? Bakari finished 5th, in the Medford, Oregon Tournament. He now states that “I use to love golf, but now I am in LOVE with golf! Golf is my planned future career!”
Congratulations to Bakari Bolden. You are soon to be a household name!
Until next time,
Barbara Taylor
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ABOUT BARBARA TAYLOR
In April 2011, after taking a six-year hiatus from golf lessons, Taylor decided to return to the world of Golf. When she first took lessons, she found that the transition from playing a “B” level of tennis to learning to play golf was boring, and slow as hell, and as perilous as going over Niagara Falls without a barrel. So, she made a decision (that she thought was wise at the time) to give it up! Taylor’s returned to the game came with a whole new prospective, purpose, respect, and attitude…. And, yes maturity.
Unlike when she was playing tennis, Taylor had no desire to get caught-up in the competitive frenzy. She is into golf for the shear love of the fun, travel and social interactions that she has found so delightful in the golf environment and game. However, she does want to be taken seriously.
Taylor is currently being coached by the legendary Alton Duhon, at the renown Chester Washington Golf Course, in Los Angeles. The course is also the California Golf Home of Dr. Charles Sifford.
