Fusfeld has unbridled passion for sport of golf
Listening to Eileen Fusfeld, I’m actually tempted to take up golf as my new sport. Now, don’t get too excited about the previous sentence. I said “tempted,” not actually going to do such a daring thing.
Listening to Eileen Fusfeld, I’m actually tempted to take up golf as my new sport.
Now, don’t get too excited about the previous sentence. I said “tempted,” not actually going to do such a daring thing. No way. However, this Fair Lady Fusfeld from Woodstock is a golfer who talks so enthusiastically about putting and such that she even could convince me to at least become a caddy to join in the fun.
Actually, Eileen is the first person I’ve ever met to logically explain how much fun it is to schlep around grass for hours until it becomes an abject obsession.
Married to the Freeman’s publisher emeritus, Ira Fusfeld, she loves the sport so much she almost — but not quite — turned hubby into a golf widower. And that ain’t easy. But, I digress. The fact is that Mrs. Fusfeld can play golf as much as five times a week and still remain both blase and overjoyed about it.
That, my fine-feathered golfing friends, is a trick.
“On the one hand,” Eileen explains, “I really do love golf, but in reality it’s more a love-hate relationship.”
Hmmm. Seems to me I’ve heard that song before.
“What I mean,” she goes on, “is that a few years ago — when I thought I was pretty good — I actually thought my skills would improve; but the reality was that at that time I had reached my playing peak. It was my career year.”
Mrs. Fusfeld immediately reminded me of the golf bromide, “The older I get, the better I was.” Knowing Eileen since Hector was a pup, and liking her as a good pal, I don’t want this column to sound negative about golf.
Frankly, the older I get, the more I like golfers because they own this very special adoration for their sport. It ranks among the most rare of passions.
Eileen: “Sometimes I get so wrapped up over how I’m playing, I have to keep reminding myself that I love being out on the course.
“I’m talking about the weather, plus doing something physical and just how lucky I’ve been.”
There are, however, issues. For one thing, tournaments and this lady don’t agree with each other. She gets nervous playing in them.
That said, Mrs. Fusfeld will be found at Wiltwyck come high water, high snows or high temperatures — sort of — playing with women-only on weekends and co-ed on weekends.
Which brings me to her husband, Ira, who admittedly is not in Eileen’s competitive class. One could call him a part-time golf widower and not be far wrong.
“Ira,” she explains, “has adjusted to my golfing by following the rule: ‘If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.’
“Granted, we do play together and I mostly enjoy it; except for the fact that he thinks I’m as interested in his game as he is.”
Anyone who has played as much golf as Eileen owns a load of memories. One of her favorites is about a 54-hole marathon; which only golf cashews ever should try.
“We started the three rounds of 18 holes at seven in the morning and played through until seven at night. Throughout, we placed water, snacks, band-aids and Tylenol.
“On the tee of the final hole we had Champagne waiting for us. Does it ever get better than that?”
Good question. Maybe the Yankees and Mets in the World Series.
Than again, Eileen wouldn’t care less because it ain’t golf!