There is some thought, from certain corners of the human experience, that we have reached the epitomy of human evolution. We are the best we can ever possibly be and should marvel at just how perfect we actually are.
Codswallop of course.
Were that the case, then there would be no point in sport, or indeed in any attempt to improve upon past performances. Why bother with the Olympics if we have reached the apex of achievement?
To my mind, change is the only constant, and the idea that we are not continually evolving and adapting suggests that we are going to be in serious do-do's. Our very success as a species is based upon the need to meet the changes in environment; climate; circumstances; challenges, etc., and overcome them.
Science currently believes that we stood up on 2 legs in order to see better over longer distances to avoid predators and become better predators at the same time. Since that moment we have grown and developed light years beyond more than our bipedal ancestors could have ever dreamned possible - who is to say that we are not a gazillion miles away from our evolutionary end-point (if indeed such a thing as an end point even exists?)?
It is a fact that our brains and bodies have continually evolved over millenia and we are merely an iteration of the future variations that will undoubtably follow.
All of which is a poorly disguised excuse for the fact that none of us can ever string the perfect round together - anything else is merely an excuse as were we as perfect as some would lead us to believe (I am looking at you, religion), then golf would be easy as.
Having said that, I have been lucky enough to witness golfing perfection twice in the last three weeks. Two long range eagles in the last 3 Saturdays, one by Dave Schrader (Head of Fashion) on the first hole from 123 metres, two weeks ago, and then one on Saturday by Allan Booth from 86 metres on the 13th, where he followed a perfect drive with an agricultural hoick to the left rough - little did we know that it was a cunning bit of course management by Boothy. Well played, Sirs.
It would have been 3 in 3 if, last week, Dave hadn't laid up on the 4th hole, leaving his Ace attempt agonisingly short in an obvious attempt to avoid the cost of a round of drinks - he reckons it was half a metre short, the rest of us saw it teetering on the edge before a despairing scream from the vicinity of his anxious wallet was heard (to be fair, it was a great shot and deserved the result).
Sadly, these were the only examples of evolutionary perfection that I've witnessed recently, although there was the purist piece of diplomatic perfection achieved on Wednesday when Mr and Mrs Hogan, in perfect matrimonial harmony, took the honours with 40 points each - a sight rarer than the ubiquitous blue moon.
It has been great to see the numbers out on the course recently, and it's amazing what a bit of time to practice can do to help your scoring, now if only evolution could step in and help me a bit with my putting
Stay safe, and play well
Steve
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