In the 80's I mostly worked for small companies; too small to sponsor a Corporate League. That changed in 1990 when I worked for Bridgstone / Firestone. The league was a partner league, and my boss was looking. I'd only been with the Company about six months, but when he asked, it was an easy decision. We played nine holes at Emerald Woods every Tuesday late Spring through Summer. They had a 27 hole lay-out, and we alternated play between the nines, but rarely played the difficult "White" course.
I figured it would be a good way to get to know my boss better, and him me. It was a bonus that I wouldn't have to worry about beating him. LOL. I also learned it was kind of a bumer when I hit bad shots since we were a team.
There were more good Tuesday nights then bad, and at the half way mark we were in contention. Also at the half way mark I was victim of a Corporate downsizing. JapeneseBridgestone executives had grown tired of Firestone's losing ways, and mandated a downsizing of it US subsidiary. Not even a year into my new job, I didn't have a chance against my more experienced colleagues, and was forced to accept a whopping two week severance package and entered the job market. It was almost like in the movie Office Space with the outside consultants all over the office interviewing the employees trying to find out everything they could and getting paid for recommending terminations. Except, I didn't get promoted. That just happened in the movie. LOL
It was an equally easy decision to continue playing golf with my boss in the league, the same one that terminated my employment mid-season. He was a tremendous guy, that was put in an awful position to let one of his four reports walk. It would have been hard for him to select anyone other than me as I had been there by far the least time. He also knew I was relatively young and would have the easiest time of the group finding another job. This in fact proved to be true. I was only out of work 3-4 months, and played in the Alltel league in 1991.
We went on to win the league that year. Big deal really, but I am looking at the plaque still hanging in my office wall remembering the 18 hole Saturday playoff that came down to the last hole. I pared that hole, despite shaking a little on my approach shot. Winning gave me an excuse to go back to the office one last time and see my co-workers and boss. It was emotional for me. I still hadn't found a job at that time. Ironically, I interviewed and was turned down for a job with the Company that I work for today. They hired me five years later! The same guy I interviewed five years before made the hiring decision. If that doesn't say don't burn bridges, I don't know what does.
Funny I won in my first year of league golf. I had a dry spell for 16 years, and then won again last year. Well, sort of won. You can decide if I did when I explain the details in my next blog. I'll try to blog it the next couple of weeks.
