The story follows the fictional exploits of 25-year-old Mark Madden and his ability, or lack thereof, to navigate life as a professional golfer.
While the sport of choice in The Longest Drive is golf--and how Madden deals with added pressures after winning the U.S. Open and being anointed the Next Big Thing--parallels can easily be drawn from what Madden faces to any professional athlete in any sport in 2016.
Part 1 - The Win
Part 2 - The Slip
Part 3 - The Slide
Part 4 - The Fall
Part 5 - The Bottom
Part 6 - The Climb
Here's Part 7 - The Summit
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It was the end of January, but both Madden and Knight were in short sleeves. It was a gorgeous Southern California morning—bright, blue sky without a trace of cloud. The pair were on the putting green at the third stop of the tour's west coast swing to kick off the new golf season.
Madden
had four balls spaced out at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, each ten feet from the
hole. He worked his way clockwise around the circle, draining each putt with a
sure-handed stroke. This was how Madden ended every warm-up before a tournament
round. And he would keep going around the circle until he sunk the four
consecutive putts in succession, the same clockwise pattern every time.
"Let's
go," Knight said, grabbing the putter from Madden's hand and stuffing it
into the bag. Madden quickly towelled off and moved toward the front of the
putting green and the cart path that led to the first tee.
Cameras
flashed and the fans lining the cart path shouted encouragement at Madden as he
walked past, but their words fell on deaf ears. Madden didn't notice the
cameras either. He was already thinking about the next, and this time, the
first shot.
Although
it was the third tournament of the season, this was Madden's first appearance
at a tour event since the Metroland. And
those who figured the media would have a short memory were sorely mistaken
considering the coverage of Madden's return. His management team had declined
dozens of interviews in the weeks leading up to the tournament once Madden had
designated the event for his return.
His
practice rounds earlier in the week were appointment viewing for the major
sports networks, but Madden was sure not to give them much fodder. He never
actually played full round, instead taking shots from different areas and
playing multiple balls. Madden declined to speak at the end of each session, politely
telling the press that he would 'talk after the tournament.'
And
now it was minutes to go time. Madden felt his heart rate escalate as he
emerged from the grandstand tent and onto the tee box amidst thunderous
applause. The gallery had swelled to bigger-than-normal numbers, no doubt many
in the crowd like fans at a NASCAR race: wanting to see normal action, but deep
down perhaps hoping for another spectacle.
Madden
gave a perfunctory wave in recognition of the applause, but he wasn't paying
attention to anything transpiring outside the ropes. He was looking down the
first fairway, visualizing the tee shot.
Knight
sidled beside him. "How you feeling?"
Madden
breathed deep. "I feel good."
"Great,"
the caddie replied. "You keeping those on?"
He
motioned to the sunglasses on Madden's face.
"Yep.
For this tournament anyway."
Madden
had never worn sunglasses during tournament play before, but Dr. Sweeney
suggested that they may be beneficial initially as he worked with his new
strategies to keep his mind away from the noise while on the course. He did
feel more at ease with them on—as though he could hide in plain sight. If the
eyes were the windows to the soul, then Madden had the 'Closed' sign displayed
prominently for those trying to glimpse his mental state.
The
announcer put the microphone to his lips. "And now for our 11:15 tee time.
Please welcome, former United States Open Champion, Mark Madden!"Another big round of applause. Knight leaned over. "Show time. I think the big dog looks hungry. What do you think?"
Madden
looked down at his bag and smiled. "Well, let's give him something to eat
then."
Knight
handed him the driver. "First shot of the rest of your career. Just like
we've been practicing."Madden took the driver and approached the tee. He went through his ritual with his eyes closed, but no one could tell. This was the culmination of months of hard work. Early on, he wasn't sure if he'd ever be in this position again. Madden had hit rock bottom and climbed his way out.
He addressed the ball. The club head came back easy, reached the top of the swing in rhythm with his hips, and came through the downward plane with perfect timing. Contact was pure.
Madden striped it down the middle of the fairway.
One
shot down.
THE END
Thanks for reading!
THE END
Thanks for reading!
