The Legend Of Jobby Bones

 The Legend of Jobby Bones

  

Jobby Bones and his caddy stood on the eighteenth green, watching the wave of people swarming around, and watch them. With anticipation, they waited for him to attempt to make his eagle putt to win the national championships. Jobby could feel his pulse quicken. He could feel the sweat dripping down his arms, his breathing shortening as he prepared to putt. He stepped up to his ball, lined up his putter, and drew back slowly. Making contact, he sent the ball rolling towards the hole; it got closer to the hole, a little closer, almost there, and then …

Jobby was a good golfer, but his big drawback was his attitude. Often the biggest obstacle in Jobby’s way was Jobby. We need to go back to when Jobby was only eighteen years old. He had just lost the amauter open championship, and he was taking his anger out on his golf ball. He picked up the ball, read out the word “Noodle,” shook his head in disappointment, and threw the ball across the course towards the caddy building. Jobby turned to walk off the course when his noodle ball hit him in the back of his neck. He turned around to see a very tall, slender man with a bushy, ungroomed beard. The man wore an old straw hat, with a pair of work pants and an old shirt, which resembled an old rag more than a shirt.

“Did you throw this at me?” Jobby asked the man.

“Sure, did,” he answered

“Why?”

“I just figured I needed to get your attention somehow.”

“What’d you want my attention for?”

“The way I see it, you need some help on your golf game, and I figured I’d be the one to help you.”

“”You’re right, I do need help, but not yours,” Jobby said, disgusted.

Jobby turned away from the man again and started heading back  when the man was suddenly standing right by his side. By now this stranger had the biggest, goofiest grin on his face, and Jobby couldn’t help but ask.

“How could you help me?”

“I’ll teach you to control it,” the man said.

“What?”

“If you learn to control it, you’ll play better. Maybe even win some tournaments. I’ll caddy for you. That way I can help you.”

“Control what? The ball?”

“Is that what you think you need to do?”

“If I can control my ball more, I will win more.”

“Alright then. I’ll be your caddy. By the way, my name is Draké, Mr. Bones, sir.”

Even though Jobby wanted to know more about Draké, he never asked him any more questions, as it seemed Draké only cared about talking about Jobby’s golf game.

After a few practice rounds with Draké, Jobby decided he was a decent caddy who didn’t say much. But Draké said just enough good things about his golf game to make Jobby feel like he would win his next tournament. Draké and Jobby approached the first tee box to start the first round of the championship tournament.

Jobby told Draké, ““I’ve beaten all these fools before. I’ve got this, don’t worry.”

“Yes, sir, Mr. Jobby. But you might want to keep that attitude in check, sir,” he replied.

But Jobby ignored what his caddy said and got ready to tee off. Jobby teed off on the first hole and hit his ball into the water. He then hit his third shot into the sand and took three strokes to get on the green. After four terrible putts, he finally finished the hole with a grand total of ten, while his opponent finished with only a four.

“What happened?” Jobby asked as they proceeded to the next tees.

“Oh don’t worry about it Mr. Jobby. I’m sure that was just a bad hole. You got this Mr. Jobby.”

Jobby continued with the next seventeen holes, and as the day continued, the worse it got. Jobby never said another word to Draké the rest of the day, but he did manage to lose his temper on every hole. Jobby shot the worst score he ever had that day, and he was in last place for the tournament by the end of the first day.

After the round, Jobby finally started asking Draké for help with his game.

“What do I need to do? How can I get better?”

“Mr. Jobby, are you finally admitting you need help?” Draké said.

“Yes, I am.”

“I’ll help you. But I need you to trust me.”

“Okay, I will.”

Draké explained to Jobby that if he could keep his temper in control, that he would play better than he ever thought he could. So Jobby said he would keep his anger in check. So Draké told him not to worry and that if Jobby could control his temper, he would make sure Jobby won. So the next day Draké and Jobby went out to the course to start the final round of the tournament. “I’m still in last place. But you’re sure if I stay calm, I’ll win?’ Jobby asked before he teed off.

“Yes, Jobby, you will win. But only if the attitude stays in control.”

The truth finally found its way into Jobby’s head and he had the revelation that his attitude was the problem, not his skill. So Jobby smiled at his caddy and said, “We got this.”

Jobby and his caddy were working well together now. Jobby’s attitude was under control and Draké seemed pleased with Jobby.

As the day went on, Jobby played well. But he could not help but wonder about Draké, he still wanted to know more about him. As he contemplated asking him about his past, he noticed that Draké seemed to carry his bag of clubs like they were as light as a ray of light. Jobby also noticed how Draké always seemed to be so happy and cheerful. As Jobby stood looking at his caddy, he wondered if he was going crazy or if Draké was actually glowing.

“Draké!” said Jobby.

Draké paused and turned to face Jobby.

“Yes sir?” He answered.

“Where did you come from?” Jobby asked.

“From my mamma, I suppose.” He said.

“No, I mean where did you come from? The first day we met.” Jobby asked. He was getting very tired of his caddy’s vagueness now.

“Oh I was sent by the big man up top. To come teach you some lessons.” Draké answered, with a smile.and a wink

Draké walked away whistling a quiet tune and Jobby walked behind him still shocked by what he just heard. With a few more holes left Draké kept telling Jobby to focus and to keep up the good work. Jobby smiled as he played now, for he truly felt like a new man.

            Jobby and Draké stood on the eighteenth green. Jobby could feel his pulse quicken. He could feel the sweat dripping down his arms, his breathing shortening as he prepared to putt. He looked over to Draké, who gave him a look of encouragement. Jobby stepped up to his ball, lined up his putter, and drew back slowly. Making contact, he sent the ball rolling towards the hole, and as it got closer, Jobby felt all the stress melt away. For the first time in a long time, he actually felt proud of his behavior on the course that day. Jobby played the best round of golf ever that day, and he made that putt to win the championships. But the best part of his story is that he showed us that sometimes the biggest problem in your way is you.