Our Life in Golf

Chapter 10 Show Me Your Blisters

10

SHOW ME YOUR BLISTERS

Some people have such big hearts—sacrificing so much on a personal level to be there for so many others.

Yes, Mike Bencriscutto had such a big heart, and looking back at the life path of others with similar big hearts; Martin Luther King, Gandhi, there is often a price to pay for such dedication.

Many such iconic individuals seldom have led a simple, safe, normal, long life—more typically, as we have seen, that dedicated life is cut short.

Of course, human life expectancy has gradually gotten longer and longer over the generations, but in our time, and even in 1990 dying in your 60s was still dying way too young.

While he was surrounded by extended family, the worst of times came after we'd given up hope of a cancer cure, our emotions just too drained to continue the fight, and instead settled in to wait for the inevitable end.

He'd given all he had to give, dedicating his life to both family and his beloved golfing community—passing on the jewels of wisdom that applied to both improving your swing and your life, such as, Take Each Shot as it Comes & Use your Brain before your Compulsions run amuck.

As general relevant concepts, Mike stressed self-care and group welfare, recognizing limitations, risk-taking, patience, trust, and following through.

Mike knew instinctively that these were worthy goals and Respect was the spin-off. Since Mike was consistent, both his friends, family, and the golfers he worked with felt secure that he was and would be there for them.

We all knew who's example to follow, even though it wasn't always easy. Bolstered by Mike's illuminating smile, one you'd never forget...and it was my father's final wish that his story be recorded and his message preserved for succeeding generations. To that end, this memoir has been written and published.

No Dad...again, we will never forget you.

How much did Mike Bencriscutto care about his community's golfing experience, putting his retirement nest egg in jeopardy he took out a mortgage on his home.

Doing this in order to make improvements on the three public courses under his management, with the help of local contractor and one of the top local amateur golfers, George Madsen, 300 new trees were planted along with other modifications.

Sadly there were more serious management problems than filling in a few bare spots in fairways with trees.

Mike formed a corporation to lease the courses from the City of Racine. This was part of a greater plan to help bail the city out of mounting debt. With a new voting year came a new city administration.

Sensing political advantage, the new city administrators turned against Mike's leasing plan. The mounting strain and unforgiving stress took a toll on my father's health.

Coming down with something that was going around, like the normal cold or flu, because of a weakened, compromised immune system he grew sicker and sicker until I found myself beside his hospital bed.

Sensing everything he'd worked so hard for, over so many years, was being threatened, as the doctors ran tests his condition worsened.

With the city fathers intent on pushing him out, Mike's resilient mind, his athletic offensive attitude, the mindset of a champion, his spirits lifted as he conceived a plan to build a driving range for the jewel, the most popular of the city's three courses, Johnson's Park—an improvement that would surely get public opinion on his side in the political fight to the death that was brewing.