The Blogging Opportunity I Never Saw Coming

If you had told me a few months ago that I would somehow end up writing a golf blog, I probably would have laughed at you. I'm actually laughing as I write this... lol.

Mostly because I am still trying to figure out how to actually play golf.

Sh*t, I'm still trying to figure out life. Ha!

I'm not a golf writer, let alone a golfer... YET! 

Heck, I'm not even a writer. And I'm definitely not someone who could tell you everything there is to know about the game.

Farthest thing from it.

Other than knowing golf has really cute outfits.

Apparently, looking like a golfer came a hell of a lot easier than actually becoming one 😂

THAT part I had figured out. It's one of my favorite parts about learning golf.

I'm just a woman in her 40s who finally decided to learn how to golf, who shares way too much of her life for some people's comfort + has very little filter 🤷🏼‍♀️

And somehow... here we are.

The more I reflect back on my life, the more I realize “Well… I never saw THAT coming” is basically the theme of my life at this point.

It's probably time I stop being surprised by what happens in my life 😂

Maybe instead of questioning how the hell some of these things happen, I just need to embrace them.

Because truthfully, some people who know me may find this hard to believe, but I'm finally at a point in my life where I'm done apologizing for who I am + ready to confidently step into all of who I am.

I share too much.

I feel too much.

I say what I'm thinking.

I take chances.

Sometimes I probably make people uncomfortable.

And more often than not, I figure things out as I go.

But through all of it, I'm staying true to myself + owning ALL parts of me.

Living my life + having fun.

Turns out, that might be exactly how I landed this blogging opportunity.

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It Started With Sassy Saturday

When they play YOUR ball on the first hole… only to find out you're playing with a practice ball 😂 Rookie move #1.

Somehow, I got talked into my first Sassy Saturday.

It was my FIRST time out on the course.

Basically, I had no idea what I was doing.

But I had fun.

A lot of fun.

Afterward, I did what I tend to do—I shared the experience on Facebook + made a reel.

At the time, it was just me sharing another piece of my life. I had absolutely no idea that the post was about to open a door I never even knew was there.

And it went something like this:

Survived my first Sassy Saturday Scramble.

I showed up knowing absolutely no one except a few people who worked there. I had no clue what I was doing.

The only thing I really know about golf is “FORE!”… I know it's not a good thing.

Then the adventure began…

I went to grab my ONE club… only to realize I didn’t have it. In a rush, I borrowed clubs from Viera East + somehow grabbed a LEFT-HANDED set + didn't realize it until I went to tee off on the first hole. I wish I was kidding.

Thankfully, my golf partner was kind enough to let me use her clubs. Oh, and her golf balls.

Supposedly, it's best to only use practice/driving range balls on the range, near water + bushes 🤣

The first three holes? My ball actually showed up + we played it! The girls thought I was hustling them because I shared it was my first time on the course + had only been at the driving range.

Somehow… I even sank TWO putts  I don't think the ladies were prepared for my excitement! But I was pretty freaking excited + I showed it.

Me, way too excited about making my second putt.

By Hole 9, my shoulder was screaming at me. I probably should’ve called it a day, but it was my first scramble, and I wasn’t ready to quit.

I pushed through, finished with a shot I was damn proud of at hole 9 + near the water.

Let's say I didn't lose my ball and we played it!

And if I’m being honest, what I’ll remember most isn’t my golf game + my tight shoulder.

It’s the people.

Every single person I interacted with was incredibly kind. Shoot, they let me use their golf clubs and golf balls LOL! They welcomed me, answered my questions, encouraged me, made me laugh, + held space for me exactly as I was—a newbie, feral 40-something golf girl just trying something new.

Thank you to everyone who made the whole experience feel less intimidating + made me feel like I belonged. Your kindness mattered more than you probably realize.

I had friends show up as my "emotional support" at the end + ran into another friend I hadn't seen in awhile.

We finished up the evening on the patio listening to music, having dinner + drinks, meeting new people + having great conversation.

Truthfully, I hate not knowing what I'm doing + I just showed up, uncomfortable + all.

That's the biggest win of all.

I'm officially obsessed with golf + all in.

And I'm quickly learning that golf is about so much more than just the game.

My first Sassy Saturday reminded me of three life lessons:

1. Show up before you feel ready. Confidence rarely comes first. Courage does. Confidence is built by actions.

   
   

2. Let people help you. Borrow the clubs. Ask the questions. None of us learns something new completely on our own.

   
   

3. You don’t have to be perfect to belong. I was the newest golfer in my group, made plenty of mistakes, laughed at myself, and still had an incredible time.

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Apparently, Someone Was Paying Attention

I posted my experience + went on with my life.

I wasn't trying to get anyone's attention. I definitely wasn't trying to land a job.

I was just doing what I do—sharing my life + something I genuinely enjoyed, and couldn't believe my everything that happend. Too funny not to share.

But apparently, someone was paying attention.

Not long after, I received a message about writing for Viera East + sharing my experiences as someone completely new to women's golf.

Wait...

You want ME to write about golf?! 😂

The woman who showed up to her first scramble without the ONE club she owns, accidentally grabbed a left-handed set, borrowed someone else's clubs + golf balls, + played a practice ball on the first hole?

That girl?!

Yep. Apparently, that girl.

And maybe that's what I've started to realize through all of this.

I'm not here because I know everything about golf.

I'm here because I don't.

I'm learning in real time. I'm taking lessons. I'm making mistakes. I'm asking the questions other beginners might be afraid to ask.

I'm celebrating two putts like I just won the damn Masters 😂

And I'm willing to share all of it. Probably too much. haha!

The good shots.

The really shitty ones.

The lessons.

The people I meet along the way.

And everything this game continues to teach me about myself.

Maybe being new isn't something I need to hide.

Maybe being new is the entire point.

So here I am—a 40-something, very new, slightly feral golf girl who somehow landed a blogging opportunity by simply sharing her experience.

Definitely didn't see that one coming.

But like I said...

Maybe it's time I stop being surprised 😂

See y'all around the course ⛳️

— Otie

Enjoy the video + be patient with me as I was taking my time AND apparently, I was VERY excited to answer my FIRST golf question that I knew the answer.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/6027bf_6ca7cb5152f84815b2ecd18ed2668978/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Hole 9 + Proud to say I DID NOT LOSE my BALL. Well, it wasn't really my ball haha!