With Jack Fleck and his Olympic Gold Golf Medal.
My time in St. Louis was fabulous! The “Journey to Olympic Golf” began with playing hickories at Glen Echo CC, site of Olympic Golf in 1904. Now I am heading south pointed to Rio de Janeiro, host to Olympic Golf in August 2016. I don’t have a clue on the specifics of the trip. My only night planned is the next one at the home of Carmen and Jack Fleck in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Beyond that it was anyone’s guess.
I first met Jack Fleck and his good friend Ed Tallach at Torrey Pines in 2008 at the U.S. Open, Tiger’s last (for now) win at a major. We chatted for a few minutes and took a picture together. The next I saw him was at the 2010 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, then the 2012 U.S. Open at Olympic Club in San Francisco that honored him and Billy Casper for the life achievements in golf and their U.S. Open victories there. I would also see Jack and Ed at The Masters Tournament. Sadly my visit in Fort Smith would be the last time I saw Jack Fleck. I missed him last year at the Masters and Billy this year. Life is way too short.
CLICK here for the Tribute to Legendary Golfer Jack Fleck.
I remember a long time ago back in the 1990s reading about Jack and his new books. I cut out his advertisement for golf lessons in Arkansas and hoped one day to travel to Arkansas and get a lesson from him and that is exactly what I did on this portion of the ‘Journey to Olympic Golf.’
CLICK here for the Jack Fleck Golf Lesson for Andy Reistetter.
Jack knew me well at first meeting and he knew my swing well at first glance kidding me that he “hoped it was a dogleg left!”
Long live Jack Fleck on the Big Course above and love live his spirit, somehow to be included in the “Olympic Spirit of Golf.”
CLICK here for the Big Wide Open Sky Driving through the Ozarks in Arkansas.
I will always remember the beautiful time I spent in Arkansas with Carmen and Jack Smith. Their grace, hospitality and spirit is well represented by the sky that day I drove through the Ozarks in Arkansas.
My visit was too short, only a one-nighter, but if you are going to travel 18,471 mile in 100 days and pass through 14 countries there is no time to let the moss grow beneath your feet.
I was headed for the Texas Triangle, Dallas first, then San Antonio and Houston. I had a feeling I was going to get lost in there and maybe never emerge to continue my journey. As it turns out the direction of my odyssey south of the border would be focused in the abyss in the heart of Texas and a chance meeting would accelerate JTOG to warp speed!
Stay tune y’all!
I am looking for 100 new friends in the next 100 days to make a $100 donation (or any amount that you are able to make) to The First Tee. Each day I will be reliving the original “Journey to Olympic Golf” and hope to find a new friend in golf. Is that you? Please join me in giving back to the game we all love.
CLICK here to make a donation to The First Tee.
Please select ‘Andy Reistetter’s Journey to Olympic Golf’ on the drop-down menu for the question ‘What inspired you to make a gift today? This is for tracking purposes only, Andy does not receive any part of your donation or anything financially from The First Tee organization.
There are interesting incentives for making your donation to the First Tee…
PLEASE click here to make a donation to The First Tee.
Thank You!
Three Amigos- Ed, Jack & me at the 2012 U.S. Open at The Olympic Club where Jack and Billy Casper were honored.
Torch and I loved driving down Route 66! With Kammy who manages the Visitor Center.
The incredible sky that driving through the Ozarks.
