The memoir, OUR LIFE IN GOLF, chronicles my life in golf with my father's. Mike Bencriscutto is the singularly defined expression of a life colored in spiritual and athletic genius-representing a neoclassical renaissance of patriarchal beauty blende...
My father had a big heart, as have other noteworthy athletes. In this author's opinion, helping others is part of achieving iconic status.
Mike would have kept giving and giving had his life not been cut short, which by today's standards would have considered 69 years just too young.
Right to the end we kept learning from him—
Take each shot as it comes,
Recognize your limitations,
Care about others,
and a good Follow Through means seeing your goals to a conclusion.
Mike's smile of approval was not soon forgotten by anyone it was directed at.
"Write my story, Casey," he lovingly respectfully requested, "so they won't forget what I was trying to teach them."
No, Dad, we'll never forget you. And though gone, his beloved city of Racine, Wisconsin, would not soon forget Mike either.
Nearing the end, Mike mortgaged his home to finance course improvements. With the help of George Madsen, 300 new trees were planted along with other renovations. A corporation was formed to lease the courses, keeping them operating to generate revenue for the city. His next innovation was to set up a driving range at Johnson's Park.
Throughout his life I watched his enthusiasm, his thoughtful concern through the triumphs and the hard losses, just hoping to see that famous smile every now and again.
At seven, I remember organizing his roll-top desk in back at Washington Park, part office, part maintenance garage, it smelled of gasoline and coal as the dinging echoes of the pinball machine in the lobby found their way to my ears.
At a young age, though, I learned that even my impressive, larger-than-life father wasn't actually Superman. Lying on a cheap cot in the back office behind the lockers, exhausted from long afternoon hours in the hot sun giving lessons, he'd ask me to bring him some water.
So often, though, he was a kind of Superman. In tournament play, somehow he was able to focus his cool to play the tough shots heating up the competition—his amateur career ending in 1950. More like a conductor than an athlete, he led with the mind and his body followed—the harmonic trinity of Mind, Body, and Spirit.
As a teaching pro it takes patience, transference, and a little empathy to temper someone else's swing. Start with what's there, he would advise. The student brings their unique body, soul, and mind to the lesson.
The teacher must observe, appreciate and definitely connect with the student, considering the influence on their wider world beyond the game of golf. In so doing, the instructor participates in the honored practice of also connecting to a more divine dimension.
During a lesson, options are offered and choices integrated within the context of an expression of free will. A unique morality was molded from the Bencriscutto Golfing Boot Camp that stressed personal dedication honed with rigorous practice. This formula for success launched a number of successful protégées.
I was one of his groupies and one day I asked for a golf glove.
"Where are your blisters? Show me your hands!" he demanded, while looking me over closely.
I didn't understand that what he was really asking for was proof of my dedication to improving my game. I sheepishly showed him my hands.
"Yes...I see, Casey...you can have a glove."
Yes, I saw that look of approval I craved in the impish dry smile he sent my way.
Mike worked his magic of guided transformation on everyone around him, yet we all felt safe because we knew he stood for excellence. That spirit was best exemplified with the success of Mike's Junior Masters, a yearly tournament held in Racine, Wisconsin, which helped his young students learn how to better cope with competitive pressure.
Young golf hopefuls flocked to both Mike and the tournament, knowing they could come to him with their questions and concerns.
Mike encouraged other pros to do the same thing and be available on a less formal basis to establish trust and goodwill between teacher and student. In 1986 Mike was voted the PGA's Wisconsin Teacher of the Year.
On film, Mike addressed a group of professionals.
"It's good to see a young group of guys like you pursuing this game. It's going to be tough going for years, and you may not make it as touring pros, but if you hang in there, be sure and focus on how to teach the game. In my opinion, teaching is the most important aspect of being a pro. If you're a good teacher, you can become independent. If you're not a good teacher, learn how to be or it might be difficult to stay in the business.
"Anyone can run a pro shop. Successful club pros develop a thriving lesson clientele. Your future in the profession will depend on being able to give a good lesson. For that to happen, you have to genuinely want to help. The student will recognize that and respond. Did you all hear that...that desire will make the difference. And, don't think it's only all about their golf swing. That personal component is critical. Train yourself to be a good listener and be willing to answer any question they might ask."
Mike understood that he had to learn to recognize just what it was that would inspire the student to apply themselves and push hard through the many disappointments and setbacks of missed two-foot puts, drives sliced out of bounds, and matches lost on the last hole, in order to continue progressing.
He thrived on this challenge.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
