Hall Closets

Arghhh, the dog daze of summer weigh heavily upon us and will continue to do so until on or around the 12th of August. Along with the heat, we are also faced with a brief lull in the sport’s world, so please bear with me this week.

At the end of each and every scorching day of these trying times, as the sun makes its final descent down into the western horizon, hordes of cicadas erupt into their Gregorian-like chant, while the lightning bugs try in vain to keep time and, more crucially, find a mate.

On the other hand, the human race must find its own creative ways to deal with the 40-ish daze of oppressive heat.

As a born and bred southerner, I have a few tricks up my sleeve to combat the brutal heat of summertime in Arkansas. The easiest and most-effective Carroll County cure is a dip in the always-refreshing White River, a guaranteed remedy. But my all-time fave is mass consumption of bacon and homegrown tomato sandwiches.

Matter of fact, they have become a true, national sensation. So much, that July 22 of every year is known as National BLT Day.

Now I prefer mine sans lettuce cuz it is a most unnecessary ingredient in these Hall of Fame concoctions. All it really brings to the dinner/supper table is a tasteless, muffled crunch. One that can be easily and more zestfully achieved with either crispier bacon; or if you’re a culinary rebel like me, half a dozen or so of your favorite potato chips piled high atop the pork, can take this masterpiece to new, delectable heights.

Now to the condiment. I grew up in a divided household when it came to dressing these sandos. Mom’s side of the tree preferred mayonnaise, while Pop’s fam always sided with the sweeter version – Miracle Whip. Either works for me as long as there are plenty of poison apples and thickly sliced bacon involved.

On to sports.

The 153rd Open Championship was recently held at Royal Portrush Golf Club in County Antrim, Northern Ireland; and to no one’s surprise, Scottie Scheffler won the coveted Claret Jug, handily. He topped the field by four shots, becoming only the second golfer, along with Ben Hogan, to ever win two Major Championships in the same calendar year by such a margin (he captured the PGA Championship this spring, finishing five shots clear of the field).

He battled through some of the worst weather of the week – a sideways downpour of rain on Friday afternoon that woulda sent most pros to the mumble shed, but not Scheffler.

“It was super sunny when we were on the driving range, I was in short sleeves, it’s warm out. Then we get to the first hole, it’s still sunny. Then all of the sudden, you look around and it’s super dark, and it starts pouring rain. You’re like, boy, I wonder how long this is gonna last?

“Fortunately, it didn’t pour the whole time. We only had four or five holes where it was really coming down, and I was able to take advantage of the holes when we had some good weather.”

That’s Scheffler, as unflappable as it gets.

He also spoke some of the truest quotes of the week when asked about the thrills of being a world-class golfer.

“I’m blessed to be able to come out here and play golf. But if golf ever started affecting my home life or if it ever affected the relationship I have with my son or wife, that’s going to be the last day I play out here for a living.”

He added, “This is not a fulfilling life. It’s fulfilling from the sense of accomplishment, but it’s not fulfilling from the sense of like the deepest, you know, places of your heart.”

Many folks have asked me why I stepped away from caddying on the PGA Tour 24 years ago, and, like Scheffler, I felt that same emptiness of heart. Sure, it was a blast, and I had success. But at the end of the day, it just didn’t mean squat in the grand scheme of life.

Speaking of golf. Kudos to John Daly II on his five-shot dub at the prestigious 119th Southern Amateur, held at The Blessings CC, home of the Razorback men’s and women’s golf teams.

The list of successful fathers and sons in pro golf is practically non-existent, so maybe this will propel Daly II to the same great heights his dad achieved during his legendary career. Hopefully, he will have a smoother ride. Only time will tell.