WAYNE RILEY
Growing up, I always thought that being a golfer was going to be my life. Why? I don’t know, but I was right! Getting up extremely early in the cold winters as a 14-year-old to get on a train to the golf club was going to be the norm for me. I cleaned clubs and worked in a pro shop, just like Ian Poulter. But I would never have changed anything about my journey because it has all led to this point. I’m one of the lucky ones. I have been through some rough times, but this great game has really made my life make sense.
As a kid, you don’t know much about anything and all you do is dream. Having been able to do what I’ve done since then, it’s fair to say the dream has come true. It’s hard to put into words some of the experiences I’ve had. I’ve played around the world, I’ve met some fascinating people from around the globe – from pop stars to politicians – I’ve stayed in palaces, I’ve stayed in some places that can only be described as holes and I’ve stayed everywhere in between. It’s been a hell of a ride and it’s something I wish more people could experience.
I’ve also managed to win a couple of times along the way, from small events to big championships. I never managed to win a Major, and yes, that is a regret, but every professional golfer has them. The reality is we can’t all live out every dream. At one point, I got to be one of the 60 best players in the world. Some might laugh, but only having 59 people in the world who are better than you at something is pretty good going. Not bad for a guy from the ‘burbs.
I’ve played with some of the game’s all-time greats, from Jack Nicklaus to Arnold Palmer and Gary Player to Rory Mcilroy, and I’ve also played with some guys who you’d describe as no more than average. But you know what, they deserve a lot of credit because they had big hearts and were having a go at reaching the holy grail; searching for the dream as I was. We all wanted to be stars.
But what is a star in golf? I think anyone who has a crack is, and that applies to every walk of life for that matter. Whether you’re reading this on the train, when your other half has gone to bed or even in bed as a youngster with a dream, it’s just great that you’re getting something from this game. The Tigers, Rorys and Jacks inspire us and provide us with great entertainment, but professional golf is only a small part of this wonderful pastime. It’s truly a game for all of us, and there’s no doubt it’s been a tough time recently. We haven’t been able to play or watch of late, but we will be back out there, hopefully in the not-too-distant future.
I can’t describe to you how much I’ve missed playing and how much I’ve missed commentary. Going on a daily walk just doesn’t come anywhere close I’m afraid, because what’s a walk without a bag of clubs, a ball and a course to go with it? Golf is the greatest activity there is. A lot would say football – sure, we all love it too – but better than golf? Come on, there’s no way!
In football, the ball moves around, but in our game it sits there looking back at you. It’s you versus a stationary object and that’s part of what makes it so special. Throw in the camaraderie it provides, the sense of communal belonging, the emphasis on respect, etiquette and integrity, the different styles of course over which it’s played and the many health benefits and it’s truly in a league of its own.
The game majorly contributes to who we are as people. We define ourselves as golfers, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, and don’t you just love it. We owe a lot to that little white ball, as long as that little white ball behaves itself and does as it’s told. As we all know, that’s rarely the case, but again, it’s all part of the fun! I hope everyone is doing well and I look forward to seeing you back on the fairways soon.
“What’s a daily walk without a bag of clubs, a ball and a golf course to go with it?”