Power Player or Shot Maker?

This week the U.S. Open is being played at historic Winged Foot's West Course in Mamaroneck, NY. It's the first major since the Master's in April, and it's the first tournament Tiger Woods has played since the death of his father, Earl.

Radio, print and television golf analysts will have plenty to talk about since the Open was last held at Winged Foot when Davis Love III, won in the mid 90's. The course boasts the longest par 4 in U.S. Open history (#9 @ 514 yards) and one of the longest holes in the Open's history (#12, a par five that can be played at 640 yards!).

Of special interest will be how the players choose to play the par 3, third hole that will play from 217-243 yards depending on the tee box and pin locations. During the 1959 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, tournament champion Billy Casper creatively played the hole like none before him or since. Instead of going for the green from the tee as most pros do on Par 3's, Casper took the safe and shorter route by playing the hole all four days with an iron. Short of the green, he then hit his wedge and putted for par all four days. According to Golf Digest, "No other pro is known to have intentionally played the hole that way in competition before or since." He won the first of his two U.S. Open victories by one stroke over Bob Rosburg. Casper used creativity and discipline to win in 1959.

As a struggling golfer and Christ-follower, I'm intrigued by Billy Casper's decision to exercise a conservative game plan at the third hole when everyone else was trying to "go for it". In the 21st century where everyone from pros to hackers seem to place so much emphasis on power and distance off the tee box, Billy Casper's shot-making decision stands out. It also serves as a powerful reminder: it's not as much about how you get there as it is how you finish.

Like golf in 2006, many churches and Christ followers seem to be caught in the power game. In the power game, bigger is always viewed as better. Record attendance, new buildings and mega finances are stressed, or appear to be valued higher than personal growth (shot-making). A visible ministry launched to the masses is often funded and praised far more than personal spiritual formation efforts that focus on developing individual, devoted Christ followers.

Power players live primarily from tee box to tee box (event to event). They can miss a lot in between tee boxes. Shot-makers see the entire round played one hole and even one shot at a time. They also get to use every club in their bag and see more of the course. They live moment by moment. Power will eventually fade, but shot-making seems to have a much longer shelf life. I've got a friend who's around 80 and he shoots at, or just above par nearly every round. He doesn't hit the ball very far, but he can put it wherever he wants. Sure, power is great and we'd all like more. However, if you gave me the choice of being able to make shots at will, or having more power, I'd take the shots any day. As Christ-followers we would do well to strike a balance between power and shot-making faith.

So this weekend with all eyes on Tiger, Vijay, Lefty, Retief and others, let's not forget the shot-making Billy Casper who won 27 PGA tour events between 1964-1970, while Arnold Palmer and Gary Player won a combined 21 tour events for the same period!