KARZMER: Dads on and off the golf course inspire

What a day we have upon us: Father’s Day, the U.S. Open and Game 7. I’d say those are the makings of something special.

Year after year I attempt to tell a different Father’s Day story. From the Porter Family’s golfing traditions to my own personal memories and family stories, the annual theme is (hopefully) always one of love for our Fathers.

This year, I asked some of my friends for some help in assembling a little list of “fatherly advice” tidbits.

For example, I’ll always remember my Dad teaching me: “To always be polite on the golf course” and “to always have two bets going in a foursome; one bet best ball, one bet team total.”

Here are some other golf advice tidbits a few of my friends remember getting from their dads.

Andy Santor remembers his dad Bill telling him “sitting and complaining about playing bad won’t do anything for you. Go work at it.” Andy said he still enjoys practicing to this day because he knows it would do his dad proud.

Zack Krichbaum said his dad, The Judge, taught him to “introduce yourself and shake hands like you mean it.” Brian Krichbaum said his dad taught him “how to properly carry yourself on the golf course.”

Both happened to mention an acquired art of “club tossing” that they may have learned from their dad.

Daniel “Neidermeyer” Phillips said his dad Jim always had great one-liners growing up. One he said he’ll always remember is, “do the math kid, 5 is less than 6.” And for those of us who know Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy, we know that’s definitely just one of many!

Jesse Potter said his dad John always stressed the importance of respecting the course. “Always leave the course better than how you found it” was one of John’s favorite sayings.

And there was plenty of life advice as well.

Dee and Eddie Muransky said their dad, Big Ed, always had good one-liners growing up. Two that they said they’ll always remember are; “What matters most is what you do when no one’s looking” and “treat the janitor the same way you’d treat the President.”

Michael Porter said he’ll always remember his dad Tim’s advice to; “Never put off for tomorrow what you can do today.”

Hannah Vernal Morrison said she’ll always remember her dad Rick teaching her that: “Your children are born perfect and it’s your job to mess them up as little as possible.”

One question asked to a group of people and what a great variance in replies. While some of the responses were golf related and some were great pieces of advice to live your life by, I can honestly say that everyone I asked was excited to share something: a story, a one liner, a memory, of their dad.

So that’s what I’ll conclude with on this special Father’s Day. To my Dad, to the dads mentioned in this piece who I’m so proud to know and call my friends, and to all the dads out there who share their love and wisdom with their own children:

Know that your kids probably remember more of your one-liners than you think we do.

That we continue to look up to you and admire you.

That you’ll always be the first and most important heroes in our lives.

And that we love you so very much.

Happy Father’s Day

Jonah Karzmer is a former golf professional who writes a Sunday golf column for The Vindicator. In his spare time he sells commercial insurance and loves getting feedback on his weekly columns via email at Jonah@thekarzmerinsurance.com.