Doc, I think we've talked about the parallels in our DC lives. I worked at Lakewood CC in HS around the Sametime as you. I remember going to the PGA in 76 on a Monday because of its rained out on a Sunday at congressional. Same trajectory dishwasher to busboy to waiter to snack bar etc. Thanks for the great trip down DC memory lane and lessons learned working in Clubs
I worked at Hyde Park CC for a couple summers as a caddy. Like you, lots of lessons learned with the first being money does not buy class. In my experience, the wealthier the guys I was lugging bags for, the better they treated us. They'd tip very well and buy us Cokes and hot dogs at the 9th and when the round wrapped up. These were guys like Carl Lindner, William Keating, and Boomer Esiason. The penny millionaires, guys who worked upper management at banks or P&G, treated us like garbage often berating us for their shitty golf skills. And they always, always, always, stiffed us or gave garbage tips.
It makes you feel good to know someone reads and enjoys something you write. I’m so impressed and somewhat jealous of your skills. There is an art to writing or telling a story!
For all those who have posted that all should work a year in the service industry, I concur. Mine was a Christmas in retail.
My first “clocking-in” job was in the service dept of a car dealership. I was a mop guy who cleaned up the technicians’ spills and got to buff the service lane to a shine on a daily! But the worst job was the kid they hired two weeks after me. He got to apply asphalt sealant to the parking lot.. every day.. wearing a plastic suit in a midwestern summer. Ooof.
I attended a prestigious “Elite Eastern” school where I developed a healthy disdain for prestige. I ran around with some activists and we helped the custodial staff organize a strike. I learned as much about people, and that school, in the month I hung out with the janitors as I did the other 3 years and seven months.
Great stories! I worked at a country club too...long hours, weddings and events, grill room and fine dining. I cherish the friendships I made there, and learned what good service looked like and how to take care of every guest. Wouldn't have changed it for anything.
Love, love, love. You are the best Doc! So glad I found this. I was heartbroken when you retired. Have read your stuff since I came home from college in the 90’s. You are so unique and just really enjoy your writing and thoughts. Nothing better than sports with a heavy dose of life and perspective. Thank you for everything over the years and here’s to bonus time :)
Lots of wisdom and common sense in TML today. Great stuff well articulated, thank you!
I had my 1st job in the late 60’s at 14 years old washing dishes at a Bonanza Steak House by the closest mall to my home in Indy. $1.15 or so per hour, minimum wage. Half the employees were white kids, the balance were black adults and teenagers. Great learning experiences, both in social and work ethics areas.
Respecting people and knowing true humility are among the highest virtues we can learn---and live by. Good to hear so many of the mobsters see it that way too.
Loved this thread! I am preparing to write about some more of my mediocre jobs I secured on the Florida Keys. Physically they were healing me mentally, getting me back on my feet, no need for pomp and circumstance. For me the need was being outside and connecting with nature. I learned this much later in life after jumping off the high pressure corporate ladder as a buyer in the high tech business. I was responsible for getting R&D parts ordered for the Engineers for testing in the high speed laser beam digital disc computer world. Our company managed to build and ship the first laser beam disc computer built in the U.S. Actually, the ladder was taken out from under me and glass ceilings were being made out of Plexiglas in those days. Two men took over my job. However, it turned out to be the best thing to happen to me. I went to Florida, for the sun and sea to heal me. I took what jobs I could just to survive on my own. I will be writing about a couple of them soon on my substack thread...and when I read your words, I felt like you stold them from me...you learned that people want the same things...no matter the position in life...love dignity, respect, validation...a peaceful place of your own at the end of the day that you earned. I was there, but I learned this later in life. It wasn't about crashing the unbreakable glass ceiling.,. and carrying the anger inside from the frustration...it was about enjoying your job and the everyday rewards of appreciation, a smile, a thank you." Beautifully put. Bottom line, this is what life is about. Leaving the stress behind. Finding your peace.
Smiling with tear running down my cheek. I worked at Ft.Mitchell CC, in the office, during the summer, and part-time while in college. Occasionally, the kitchen was short of help, so I did whatever needed. My brother was a caddy, before golf carts. We learned a lot about life and kept it to ourselves. Oh, if the club dues were unpaid or late, the teen worker (me), surely lost or misposted it. Great column, Doc.
Doc..I will say that you and had a lot of similar e periences growing up. I know I learned a ton from mine but probably not nearly so much as you did. Maybe because mine was 20 years earlier than yours and it WAS different that long ago. I suspect your growing up history is a key reason I have followed you all these years.Keep up the good work.
Doc, I think we've talked about the parallels in our DC lives. I worked at Lakewood CC in HS around the Sametime as you. I remember going to the PGA in 76 on a Monday because of its rained out on a Sunday at congressional. Same trajectory dishwasher to busboy to waiter to snack bar etc. Thanks for the great trip down DC memory lane and lessons learned working in Clubs
I worked at Hyde Park CC for a couple summers as a caddy. Like you, lots of lessons learned with the first being money does not buy class. In my experience, the wealthier the guys I was lugging bags for, the better they treated us. They'd tip very well and buy us Cokes and hot dogs at the 9th and when the round wrapped up. These were guys like Carl Lindner, William Keating, and Boomer Esiason. The penny millionaires, guys who worked upper management at banks or P&G, treated us like garbage often berating us for their shitty golf skills. And they always, always, always, stiffed us or gave garbage tips.
This is one of my favorites!
I’m looking forward to my sons first job. He’s14. I’m going to require that he read this- hopefully it will land in his subconscious. Lol
Another beautiful walk down memory lane❣️
It makes you feel good to know someone reads and enjoys something you write. I’m so impressed and somewhat jealous of your skills. There is an art to writing or telling a story!
Greg Byrne, no doubt!
For all those who have posted that all should work a year in the service industry, I concur. Mine was a Christmas in retail.
My first “clocking-in” job was in the service dept of a car dealership. I was a mop guy who cleaned up the technicians’ spills and got to buff the service lane to a shine on a daily! But the worst job was the kid they hired two weeks after me. He got to apply asphalt sealant to the parking lot.. every day.. wearing a plastic suit in a midwestern summer. Ooof.
I attended a prestigious “Elite Eastern” school where I developed a healthy disdain for prestige. I ran around with some activists and we helped the custodial staff organize a strike. I learned as much about people, and that school, in the month I hung out with the janitors as I did the other 3 years and seven months.
Congressional......I can only imagine the stories. Clubs in the northeast and mid-atlantic are a whole different level of opulence.
Great stories! I worked at a country club too...long hours, weddings and events, grill room and fine dining. I cherish the friendships I made there, and learned what good service looked like and how to take care of every guest. Wouldn't have changed it for anything.
Love, love, love. You are the best Doc! So glad I found this. I was heartbroken when you retired. Have read your stuff since I came home from college in the 90’s. You are so unique and just really enjoy your writing and thoughts. Nothing better than sports with a heavy dose of life and perspective. Thank you for everything over the years and here’s to bonus time :)
I’ve read and enjoyed many of your columns, this is one of my all-time favorites!
Lots of wisdom and common sense in TML today. Great stuff well articulated, thank you!
I had my 1st job in the late 60’s at 14 years old washing dishes at a Bonanza Steak House by the closest mall to my home in Indy. $1.15 or so per hour, minimum wage. Half the employees were white kids, the balance were black adults and teenagers. Great learning experiences, both in social and work ethics areas.
Respecting people and knowing true humility are among the highest virtues we can learn---and live by. Good to hear so many of the mobsters see it that way too.
Loved this thread! I am preparing to write about some more of my mediocre jobs I secured on the Florida Keys. Physically they were healing me mentally, getting me back on my feet, no need for pomp and circumstance. For me the need was being outside and connecting with nature. I learned this much later in life after jumping off the high pressure corporate ladder as a buyer in the high tech business. I was responsible for getting R&D parts ordered for the Engineers for testing in the high speed laser beam digital disc computer world. Our company managed to build and ship the first laser beam disc computer built in the U.S. Actually, the ladder was taken out from under me and glass ceilings were being made out of Plexiglas in those days. Two men took over my job. However, it turned out to be the best thing to happen to me. I went to Florida, for the sun and sea to heal me. I took what jobs I could just to survive on my own. I will be writing about a couple of them soon on my substack thread...and when I read your words, I felt like you stold them from me...you learned that people want the same things...no matter the position in life...love dignity, respect, validation...a peaceful place of your own at the end of the day that you earned. I was there, but I learned this later in life. It wasn't about crashing the unbreakable glass ceiling.,. and carrying the anger inside from the frustration...it was about enjoying your job and the everyday rewards of appreciation, a smile, a thank you." Beautifully put. Bottom line, this is what life is about. Leaving the stress behind. Finding your peace.
Smiling with tear running down my cheek. I worked at Ft.Mitchell CC, in the office, during the summer, and part-time while in college. Occasionally, the kitchen was short of help, so I did whatever needed. My brother was a caddy, before golf carts. We learned a lot about life and kept it to ourselves. Oh, if the club dues were unpaid or late, the teen worker (me), surely lost or misposted it. Great column, Doc.
Doc..I will say that you and had a lot of similar e periences growing up. I know I learned a ton from mine but probably not nearly so much as you did. Maybe because mine was 20 years earlier than yours and it WAS different that long ago. I suspect your growing up history is a key reason I have followed you all these years.Keep up the good work.