President's Message -- January 18, 2021

Free of Politics, Race and Financial Barriers. Simply Free.

I Have a Dream.
Martin Luther King, Jr.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

Mr. King's famous speech above became one of my favorite readings to represent the feeling that I have as a person.  I have his birthday, January 15th on my calendar saved for each year and I always read it again.

The last couple of businesses

Canada Geese in Formation

that I was involved with used a philosophy that I eventually named the Wingmate Philosophy. The philosophy was based on the idea that Canada Geese fly long distances when they migrate in a V formation that under close scrutiny all but one bird has someone to fly behind to make their flight easier. Every few miles they rotate and another single bird leads the flight. They all get a chance to lead. The rest are good followers. I saw it differently and believed that you could take it further and that all different kinds of birds could fly together if they opened up their minds. You could have eagles, sparrows, doves, humming birds, crows, etc. flying with the geese together as a team. You get the point.

It was this thought that drew me to the ASGA. All you have to do is read the list of members under the Handicaps and realize we are very diverse. It is up to us to keep it that way by continuing  to support each other and take turns leading. We must never let politics, race or finance interfere with ASGA. We must be simply free to teach, respect rules and play the game of golf.

Mr. King believed in talking it through peacefully and even the Canada Geese, making a lot of noise when they fly over, are likely not criticizing .. Scientist have come to the conclusion that actually the birds following seem to be making positive sounds and are likely saying their equivalent of  "Good job. Keep  it up!"

Thanks Mr. King. We are all still flying and in my personal opinion are gaining on your dream.

On behalf of the ASGA Board of Directors and Austin Senior Golf League,

Travis McWhorter

President