Saltillo Golf Match
While we were in Saltillo, Smitty arranged a golf match. I was teamed with him against Conway and the preacher. We flipped a tee in the air on the first hole and it pointed right at Conway, so they led off. Conway hit a Texas Leaguer right down the sprinkler line- a frozen rope they call it in baseball. Preacher played a power fade to the right center of the fairway. Smitty turned to me and said, “All day long Doc.”
I nodded. It was gonna be a dogfight. We had been riding all through Alabama and Mississippi and I was stiff as could be. I tried to loosen up, but my first drive came out the right barrel.
“It’s O.K., Doc,” Smitty said. We call that Green Acres over there. It opens up more than what it looks like from here.”
Somehow we scraped out a par and halved the first hole. Conway kept the pressure on- every drive was one of those mid height wind cheaters, and Preacher proved to have either an excellent short game or divine intervention. He chipped in on number three and they clipped us a shot to go one up. Smitty said if you didn’t have the preacher whupped by the time you get to fifty yards and in you were doomed. His predictions were accurate- the man could chip and putt.
On number seven the preacher stood over an eight putt to save par and had to back away when he got a phone call. “Well, honey that is wonderful. A boy? As soon as we finish I’ll be right over.” Then he drained his putt without a blink.
“Dang, Smitty. Preacher got a new baby and that cool headed?” I asked.
“It’s a grandchild, Doc. They’ve been expecting their third. You ain’t gonna rattle preacher.”
“No kidding.”
Preacher reached in his golf bag and handed us all a small wooden cross, (he was agin cigars) led a prayer for the baby’s good heath, and resumed play.
We managed to get back to even by the turn, and had to stop in the parking lot for some young women who wanted Conway’s autograph. (he’d sung in the Hee-Haw show the night before) We got a Coke and a pack of nabs and then teed it up on the back. Smitty got on a hot streak and had a couple of birdies. I had a good back nine but hit a rope hook out of bounds after a good drive on twelve and we were back to just one up. Somewhere in Mississippi there is a Titleist with a green and a blue dot, but I don’t reckon they’d find that one. It was WAY out of bounds.
On sixteen I hit my best Sunday punch so hard my hat flew off. Smitty caught it, stuck it back on my head, then stepped up and proceeded to out drive me five yards. He made birdie and the match was closed. Conway and the Preacher were tough, though. And, win or lose I ain’t never seen as many women to chase a foursome on a golf course since Freddie Couples at the Masters. Poor Freddie. He deals with the problem all men wish they had. Conway is a kindred spirit though.
We shook hands and went to get a shower. Smitty’s mama was gonna have her best chicken cooked up in a black skillet, and that was about half of why I drove to Mississippi all by itself. It turned out as good as advertised and more. I tell you what’s the truth, there’s an awful lot to like about Mississippi.
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Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
October 5, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Besides golf, there’s the battlefield and barbecue in Vicksburg, Natchez is lovely, and Greenville has blues. We worked for Mizz Betie Sullivan, who puts on a great spring festival in Leaksville, this weekend, and we’re gonna go to her festival in April. Had a great time at IBMA and I think I saw you there with the green and blue eye. – Ted
October 5, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Ted,
I have to go back to Mississippi- much to do there.
You are correct, that was me at IBMA. You were taking a picture, but shook my hand and were very polite.
Ted Lehmann is the hardest working photo journalist in bluegrass. Check him out at
http://www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com
Dr. B
October 5, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Doc you know they are talking rematch. Conway stated last night that Doc sure could play golf. I had to let the cat out of the bag and tell him you had played in high school,
;you know that competitve golf. I know Conway got tired of all the interruption from the women folks, but he is as competitive as they come. He can focus on sinking those ten footer all day when he gets on a roll. If anyone reads my post, I had fun re-adjusting Doc’s hat when he tried to out drive me. I did not even konw he was trying to but he came out of his shoes, his hat turned so much to the right ,I thought I was going to have to ask if he was a bluegrass rapper. I suppose the bluegrass world could use a green/blue eyed rapper.
To the blog world, grown men should not have as much fun as we had with Doc’ visit to Mississippi. The people that he met will never be the same and that is Doc’s way. He can adjust to any meeting he has with people. Thanks Doc for coming our way again. As the preacher said to in church after he announce the amount of money that was raised by Hee-Haw ……….Salute and I salute General Practioner Doc. Say hello to Marfar.
October 5, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Will do Smitty and keep your eyes open for old green eye blue eye- I’ll be back for sure.
Tell Ms. Turner and the kids hello.
Dr. B
October 5, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Doc,went over to Ted’s blog and made him a honorary member of Neuse River Fan Club. Anyone who knows that much about Mississippi is someone we want in our fan club. Take care.
October 5, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Smitty,
Ted is a well traveled fellow and a major friend of bluegrass. He is a good man who will treat Mississippi like home when he visits.
Dr. B
October 6, 2008 at 9:07 am
Sounds like a good day on the course.
This post reminded me that I’ve never once considered Mississippi. That’s because I’m so far north, it seems like the other side of the world.
October 6, 2008 at 9:12 am
Pande,
It’s a fine place. You would especially like Oxford- it is a University town with fine bookstores. Tupelo/Saltillo area is good too- the birthplace of Elvis Pressley, and Reed’s Bookstore, original home base for Grisham.
Dr. B