Bouncing Back

For me, 2012 has been a year spent bouncing back.

My bouncing process all started on Dec. 20, 2011 when I was walking my dog, Putter. We were crossing a neighborhood street when a pickup truck darted around a car, turned left and smashed into me. I first bounced off the pickup hood, and then I bounced off the pavement. I then bounced down the road in an ambulance and spent the next 51 days bouncing between three hospitals.

Since my release, I have been home bouncing back to my old self both physically and mentally. I can honestly say, without my family, friends and professional colleagues I would not have made it.

Following the accident, I remember none of the first eight days. On the morning of Dec. 20 I purchased my airline tickets to the 2012 GCSAA Conference in Las Vegas, emailed Pat Jones and told him I was looking forward to spending some time in the GCI booth at the Golf Industry Show. Then I took Putter for a walk.

The next thing I remember it is Dec. 28 and I’m at the University of Colorado Hospital. According to my wife, Penny, and our four adult children, the first several days were very touch and go. In addition to a broken back, crushed pelvis, broken shoulders and a partially torn-off ear, I had a severe head injury and serious internal injuries.

Those first several days were especially hard on my family who were with me as I struggled through severe pain and several surgeries. I was very fortunate my son, Corey, is a physician at the University of Colorado Hospital. He was there every day and helped the medical staff make sure all the right decisions were made as they decided how to treat my injuries.

I am also happy to report I never saw the bright light. They often say, “don’t look at the light,” when you come close to checking out. I never saw the light, so I was either never that close to checking out or the bright light is an emergency room legend. I am not sure which.
 

As I think back on 2012, my journey back to health has been both difficult and memorable. My wife Penny has been the best caregiver ever, as have been my kids and their two spouses. My friend Steve Cadenelli, another GCSAA past president, flew out from the east coast four times to spend time with me. My daughter Casey kept everyone up to date through Caring Bridge. My daughter Jesse moved home to help take care of Penny while she took care of me and my other son Lane wrote the previous article for GCI on my accident and helped manage the bills and legal issues involved with the accident.

As I sit at my desk now and write this article I am happy to report that I’m feeling pretty good.

Although I’m not completely back physically, I have played some golf. Putter is always reminding me when it is time for a walk and I started coaching my team of 5 and 6 year olds again in soccer.

Coaching soccer to 5 and 6 year olds is not only great physical therapy but is happy mental therapy, also. I have also been active again in my local superintendent’s association and involved in several other professional and community activities.

I am so grateful for the many cards and letters I received and the financial support I got from my many friends in the golf industry, my local chapter, the Colorado Golf Foundation, GCSAA, the Wee One Foundation and several others.

I look forward to the coming holiday season and I am thankful just to be here to share this special time with family and friends. I look forward to attending the 2013 GCSAA Conference and Golf Industry Show in San Diego. I especially look forward to getting back in touch with many of you.

Finally, I plan on bringing the “Old Sage” back to GCI for the occasional Sage Advice column and industry-related article. The old brain seems to be working pretty well these days, so I feel it’s time to put it back to work.

I would like to take a moment to thank everyone so much for your caring support during this difficult year.

Lastly, I look forward to a great 2013 and I intend to keep bouncing in the right direction for a long, long time into the future.