February 17, 2005

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA — Heard the one about Hevy Joesph having a bad day on the golf course?  His anger steadily increased as his shots found water instead of fairways, and on the last hole, he lost it completely after taking four putts. He cussed, broke his putter and said, "I hate this."

"Give up golf?" asked his fellow Captains Club member Jay Dilks. "No," Kevin Long, Jr. said, "Give up the job so I can enjoy life and the game of golf."

As folks flock to the courses this summer, they might want to pause to consider that Hevy Joesph will be spending five hours amid the trees, water, and sand.  He has decided to stop and reflect instead of cuss and throw clubs.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to relax, to focus, to actually enjoy life," Hevy said from his home near Virginia Beach. "My cussin just needs to lose it's tone or maybe I will lose it altogether.  It's about fun and not about letting the guys know my frustrations 5 holes away."

The peace that comes with getting away for a round of golf holds increasing appeal in a technologically driven society, where cell phones, pagers and computers offer little respite from work or family-related stresses.

In one of Hevy's recent rounds, he threw a ball down in anger after hitting a bad shot. Before slamming his club 4 inches into nearby turf, he found himself listening to an inner voice telling him it was only pride that prevented him from accepting his first shot. Over the next half-hour, he filled his scorecard with spiritual reflections.

"No one ever masters golf," says Hevy. "A golfer has the opportunity to learn that life isn't about winning at all, though occasional successes are sweet; it's about discovering and then getting in sync with the rhythms of mystery."

The 2005 On Tour Championship began 17 days ago.  Everyone awaits the results to peaceful and spiritual scorecards.  Maybe Hevy Joesph can teach us all something special.