So, Any Word on When the League Might Start?

     There is no direct evidence that William Shakespeare played golf despite having grown up in England near future British Open like Royal Liverpool, Royal Lytham & St Annes, and Royal Birkdale but some experts believe he might have referenced golf throughout his play-writing.  How else can you explain lines such as “I know you by the waggling of your head,” in Much Ado About Nothing or the pertinent query, “what subtle hole is this?” In Richard III.  I mean, could he have been any more obvious when he wrote “I’ll call for clubs” in Henry VI and we know for certain that on his death bed he babbled, “why hath the Queen summoned me hither to this short grassed green?”.   A bit of a stretch?  Even the title of some of his best-known works suggests he at least tried the game.  Who among us hasn’t experienced A Midsummer Night’s Dream and a Comedy of Errors all in the same round but, perhaps, no work of his sums up the typical league participant better than Macbeth. 

     Macbeth is a play written by William Shakespeare circa 1606 that is considered one of his darkest tragedies. The play dramatizes the corroding psychological implications and the adverse effects when its protagonist, a lord and Scottish army general, makes unfortunate decisions during an extended period of below-average temperatures, overcast skies, snow, sleet, hail, and rain.  To occupy the idle hours in his castle while awaiting the arrival of warmer days, he plots, schemes, pillages, and kills.  He experiences visions and suffers hallucinations.  He argues constantly with his wife, Lady Macbeth.  In the final act, his despair is such that he loses everything that gives meaning and purpose to his life.  Many critics and scholars contend that Macbeth explores profound literary themes addressing the consequences of "corrupted power," "unbridled ambition," and "unrestrained immorality".

     This blog writer offers a simpler explanation: Macbeth must have been an avid golfer who did not know what to do with himself while he waited for his senior golf league to get underway.  After all, the play is set in the birthplace of golf during the spring, the weather is awful, and, moreover, his dutiful wife goes insane because he refuses to leave the damn house. 

     Loyal readers of the blog should be able to appreciate Macbeth's frustration, though one trusts that non-violent and less psychotic means are being undertaken to fill the empty hours that would otherwise be spent swinging a golf club, enjoying a drink and re-telling the odd tall tale.  Well, my friends, the time is nigh!  Our first night is Monday May 6th.  Play well and play often.  We look forward to seeing you soon.

That is all,

Gary Alderson

Senior League Convener