Maturity Journal - June 2021 Issue

Maturity Journal
Page 12 June 2021
When I was 13 years old, I spent some time as a
caddy at Helfrich Golf Course. One day, as I rode my
bike onto the golf course parking lot, a golfer named
Hubert Cokes asked me if I was a caddy and I told him,
“yes sir!” He told me to grab his clubs and “Come on.”
Everyone knew that Mr. Cokes was a
big tipper, and when we went around
the building there were several caddies
standing there. Whenever you wanted
to caddy you would sign up and if someone
wanted a caddy they would take the
next name on the list. A golfer could
also pick anyone he wanted. As I walked
by the group, one of the guys (we will
call him “Big Mouth”) let me know that
I was not welcome and that he would
take care of me later. After we played 18
holes, I was paid $5 (which was a lot of
money back then — especially for a 13-year-old) and I
headed for my bike. As I went around the building there
was Big Mouth and some of his buddies. He told me that
he wanted half the money. I told him “no way” and then
we squared off.
Now, as I was growing up, my dad always taught me
that if you had to fight, you always take the first punch.
Silver Birch
of Evansville
The Mis-Adventures of Bob Hollis
The Caddy Fight
by Bob Hollis, MJ reader
He had said to hit him square in the nose, make his eyes
water and then you have the advantage. However, I had
seen cowboys, Roy Rogers and Gene Autry, whip guys
in the movies almost every Saturday at the Columbia
Theater. They always let the villain take the first swing
or the first shot — that was the
cowboy way. So we started duking
it out. He took one wild swing and
missed and I hit him square on the
nose. Then he stepped back into a
small hole and fell down. In my own
mind, I just grew about 6 inches
and 200 pounds! I played cowboy
and let him stand up. MISTAKE!
When he stood up, he was mad, and
it looked to me as if he had grown
6 more arms — and fists. He ran at
me flailing his arms and looked like
a rickety old windmill in a stiff wind. Then he backed me
into a corner and went to work. I was defending myself
but he got in a few good shots — no blood. At that time
the caddy master came around the corner and stepped in
between to break up the fight (he sure looked good!). I
finally got on my bike and headed home — bruised, but
with $5 in my pocket. MJ
Inspiring purposeful lives for all
475 S Governor St. • Evansville, IN 47713
812-217-1820
We are a Medicaid approved assisted living for the 55 and older population.
www.silverbirchliving.com