A FATHER'S PERSPECTIVE ON A CHILD'S DREAM

I have four daughters: Mariana (1974), Jan Michael Angela (1977-1980), Paola Marie (1979) and Anya Sarai (1989). I always wanted my girls to achieve their dreams. I always taught them that it is fairly easy to achieve what has been already proven possible, it is not so easy to achieve that which is unknown or not proven possible... yet. Sort of like if you want to land on the moon, aim for the stars, don't aim at the moon or shorter, aim just a little farther in case you fall a little short:

Mariana always wanted to cook and do "house things". She went to culinary school and now owns a restaurant and is doing great.

Jan Michael Angela's life was cut short due to a freak accident, but even at that tender age of 2 1/2, you could see that she was inquisitive and didn't give up until she got what she wanted. Who knows, maybe she could have been a tennis player or a doctor, but there is no doubt in my mind that she would have achieved whatever she wanted.

Paola Marie was a pretty decent golfer and received a golf scholarship at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, but being a professional golfer was not her dream. Her best score (that I can remember) was a 72 when she qualified for the USGA's 2000 Women's Public Links Championships. And her best golf achievement was winning the "President's Flight" in the Oklahoma State Championship. In school, she excelled in her studies, both in high school and college. She was the girl who always looked out for others. Not yet 32, she owns her own law firm and helps many people. She follows the motto that I heard from the Dean of Law School when she received her Oklahoma attorney's license: "it is easy to make a buck, but not so easy to make a difference... go make a difference". She didn't fall short in that area.

And there there is Anya Sarai. Twenty two years old now. Twenty two years of energy. Most people know her as a very good golfer, but she is more than that. Golf is only one of the things she does well, golf is not who she is. No matter how good she becomes, and she is already pretty good, she has other talents and desires. Among other things, she is a great writer who has used her public persona to help others.

As a person, she is authoritative, she never takes "no" for an answer and usually achieves that which she sets her goals to. But she is also thoughtful and sensitive, and very strong, both mentally and physically. She never gives up, she works hard for what she wants to achieve, and usually does. She likes do things her own way, which, along with the successes, has also given her some troubles. But in the end, she has learned that most everything is possible is you set your mind and energy to achieve it.

Over the years, she has shown more resiliency than one would guess.  Behind the great smiles and personality, there are pains and sorrows... and scars, mostly caused by adults who should have known better, and a few by her own reactions. But she never losses, the war that is. She wins and losses battles, but in the war, she is the last standing. Not only has she overcome these horrible and painful moments, but she now uses her experiences to help others, particularly in the area of abusive relationships, and especially teenage abusive relationships (to get a glimpse of the "non-golfer", click here). Like her two living sisters, she attended college (University of Washington). She earned a degree in History.

But, unlike my other daughters, she is pursuing a career in sports. She is a talented golfer who has qualified for several national championships several times over, from the PGA's juniors, to the U.S.G.A. Girls to the U.S.G.A.'s Women's Public Links Championships. In college, she ended up with the third best record in the the school's history.

This week is about golf. Today, she will tee off at 8:50 local time (Colorado Springs) in the biggest women's golf stage of all: THE U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN. ONE OF 156 PLAYERS. NOT EVEN EVERY LPGA CARD CARRYING MEMBER IS IN COLORADO SPRINGS. Playing in the Open is a privilege that you earn by personal performance. There is nothing bigger than that!

May 2011, Anya showing my
"Media's" badge during the NCAA
Championships (eyebrows are now
much shorter!)

The last time I attended a tournament that she played in, was the NCAA Championships 2 months ago, before she turned pro. At the time, having always been the "Family's Photographer", I secured a "Media" batch in order to take pictures of her. I doubt that this will be possible this time, at least on the golf course. But you can bet I will try to take a few snap shots of this memory, this privilege.

My U.S.G.A. badge (and unlike the movie, I do need a "stinking badge"), identifies me as "Instructor", which allows me to be behind the ropes with her, in the practice areas, lobby, clubhouse and Trophy Club. My badge has the letters "L", "PR", "TC" and the icon picture of a cellphone. Along with other family members, including her sister Paola, we will be following her shot by shot. In person (thanks to all of you in Elk City who made this possible)! And along with all of you in Elk City, we have the feeling that she will be doing better inside the ropes than us outside... that is in both, as a golfer and in the area of nerves!

Wish you all golf fans in Elk City would be here!