Golf Lessons

A leading difficulty with the average player is that he totally misunderstands what is meant by concentration. He may think he is concentrating hard when he is merely worrying. 
- Bobby Jones

I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win.
- Arnold Palmer

What other people may find in poetry or art museums, I find in the flight of a good drive.
- Arnold Palmer

Forget the last shot. It takes so long to accept that you can't always replicate your swing. The only thing you can control is your attitude toward the next shot. 
- Mark McCumber

Don't be too proud to take a lesson.  I'm not.
- Jack Nicklaus

As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.
- Ben Hogan

One of the most fascinating things about golf is how it reflects the cycle of life. No matter what you shoot - the next day you have to go back to the first tee and begin all over again and make yourself into something. 
- Peter Jacobsen 

This is a game of misses. The guy who misses the best is going to win. 
- Ben Hogan 

There is no such thing as a natural touch. Touch is something you create by hitting millions of golf balls.
- Lee Trevino 

Of all the hazards, fear is the worst. 

- Sam Snead 

A Ball Boy & His Point Guard

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

Nicholas Foss got a haircut yesterday. Then, he went all the way to Richmond late last night. He got up super early. He wore a tie. He represented. But he didn't get a turn to talk. Please hear what Nicky had to say and leave him a comment. Thanks ever so much.

~~~~~

My name is Nicholas Foss. I am 11 years old and in the 5^th grade. My mom and dad teach me at home. But some of the most important lessons I learn, I learn from my big brothers. I have four big brothers and four sisters. I am the youngest boy. 

I have watched my brothers play sports all my life. Michael played soccer when he was my age and I watched him play up through college at George Mason.  Patrick plays soccer, too. He’s played at the highest level possible in this country. I went to visit him last year when he was playing with the US National Team and living in Florida. I went to Charlottesville with him last fall when he committed to playing for UVA.

I play soccer, too. I’m a goalkeeper for a Division 1 travel team in McLean.

My brother Christian was a champion basketball player. One of the most fun games I’ve ever watched was when Christian was the MVP of the State Championship last year. Even though he was homeschooled, Leesburg Christian let him play on their team. And I think he won that championship for them.  Our local high school basketball team was terrible. They have never even had a winning season. I think they needed Christian.

Christian is my teacher in lots of ways. For the last five years, he has been my basketball coach.  Together, we’ve won championships in our local league. He loves basketball and so do I.

I know that very soon, I will have to choose between basketball and soccer. I’m pretty sure all my brothers think I’m better at basketball. And even though they don’t admit it, they all know I’m going to be the tallest in the family. But I know that if I play basketball, I will have to search for a place to play and that place will never give me the opportunities of a public high school.  Once I’m high school age, I won’t have good opportunities to play basketball if I’m homeschooled. If I play soccer, I can play all the way to the highest level if I’m good enough. I know this because I have watched my brothers.

Tim Tebow is my hero. He was homeschooled. He played high school sports in my grandmother’s neighborhood. I’ve been there. I don’t think anyone in that whole town is sorry they let him play.

If you pass this bill, I can choose the sport that is best for me. My brothers will all be so happy because I will get to do what they always wanted to do. I will get to see just how far I can go no matter what sport.

Let's Just Say He Put His Best Foot Forward

When this little boy was growing up, I'd frequently have to call him back to the table or remind him to pick up a book. And I was always asking him not to kick around things that weren't really meant to be kicked. The refrain was, "Paddy, you can't kick your way into college." 

He'd smile and wink and his eyes would  twinkle, Oh yes I can.

And he did.

After carefully considering colleges from all over the country, after visiting nearly every school in the ACC, after thinking hard about the Ivy League possibilities, Patrick made a decision.

And since I'm his mom and I rarely get to write sports press releases, (and I actually get to scoop ESPN today), I'm going to offer you the press release, with some links they're not likely to include;-).

Patrick Foss, ranked #16 in the country on ESPN's list of Top 150 Recruits for 2013 has committed today to attend the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.  Patrick is a homeschooled junior who plans to graduate high school in December of 2012 and begin his studies at UVa in January 2013. His soccer career thus far has been quite a journey.

He could kick a soccer ball before he was really walking. He'd hold onto the couch and give it a go. He begged his way onto Christian's team when he was really too young to play and he's made a mark ever since.

Patrick spent his sophomore year in Bradenton, Florida as a fulltime member of the US U-17 National Team Residency Program. He ranked top in his class academically.

He is currently a member of the DC United Youth Academy and has played exceptionally well on the Reserve Team. While at DC United, his side won the SUM Cup in 2010. When he traveled with the U-17 squad to to the 2011 AEGON/AJax Future Cup in Amsterdam, he was the Golden Boot Winner (the player who scored the most goals in the tournament).

He was a member of the Virginia Olympic Development Team from 2005-2009 and was selected captain of the side in 2009.

As a homeschooled freshman playing for Leesburg Christian Academy, he led the Lions to a Virginia State Championship and was named ODACS State MVP.

He played for the Herndon Real Juniors from 2003-2010, captaining the team to the Number 1 youth soccer ranking in the United States. The Juniors captured an unprecedented 5 National Capital Soccer league Division 1 titles and won the State Cup in 2009.

Don't ever tell Paddy he can't. 

Oh yes he can.

We're  ever so pleased to see him embrace the opportunity the next chapter presents. He's made a wise decision and we couldn't be happier for him.

Full Circle Indeed

Once upon a time, Bobby Convey was the oldest "brother" in our home and Michael was jostling with him for position. They rubbed up against each other and refined one another in many ways. Bobby played big brother to the big brother Michael was. It was Bobby who brought everyone to the hospital after Katie was born. And then it was Michael who did exactly what Bobby did four years later when Kari was born. Bobby, Michael, Bobby, Michael.

Now, Bobby is a Major League Soccer All Star who has played in the English Premier League and Michael is a new sports reporter for USAToday. In a quirk of serendipity, the first interview assigned to Michael was Bobby Convey. Something about this whole article makes my heart nearly burst. I love Bobby dearly and I know the peace he speaks, at long last, is genuine. And it just swells my mama heart that it is Michael who framed the words.