Lessons learned in golf games with Dad

As I anxiously sit on the precipice between being college student and a working man, I find my eyes opening to what my future may hold and what my past has taught. This month, I enter the world of sales, more specifically, the promotional branding industry. My motivation to join this particular industry germinated from the teachings of my greatest mentor, who has been active in this industry since long before I was brought into the world; that mentor is Marty Kander, otherwise known as my dad. Despite our wide gap in age, we share similar interests; our most mutually adored interest is playing golf. My dad constantly preached that you can tell a lot about someone’s personality by how they act on the golf course: a person who claims “par” when they really used their foot more than their clubs probably has a similar lack of respect for the game of life. When my dad used to teach me these life lessons, I remember thinking, cool, how can I hit drives like Tiger Woods and get the cart girl’s number? It took me 22 years of shanks, hooks, slices and the occasional awe-inspiring shot to understand why my Dad introduced me to this great game. As in life, it’s not about the missed shots, the great shots, or getting the cart girl’s number (although this is a nice bonus), it’s about playing the game the right way, learning from your mistakes, and getting to the next hole before the sun goes down — just in time to hit that perfect drive. It’s about living your life with purpose and creating your own fairway toward a green of success. After all, if you can’t reach the green, the ball will never find the hole.

Thanks, Dad.

Evan Kander

Buffalo Grove