Ok, so this did not really happen. In all honesty, it was actually 2 doctors, 4 patients, 3 recreation therapists, and 1 PGA Professional. I guess I should also mention that at one time or another there were also 2 nurses, 2 physical therapists, 1 more doctor, the chairman of the Board of Directors, and numerous people in the gallery. By now most of y'all are thinking I have either completely lost my mind or are intrigued to see if I have any direction whatsoever to this story. Well, my mind was pretty much gone a long time ago and yes, I do have a direction to this story. I think. Bear with me and I will see if I can get to the point sooner rather than later.
In August of 2018, what I refer to as Ranken Jordan National Golf Links officially opened at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital (watch the grand opening video HERE). This is an outdoor area at the hospital that allows the children to utilize through a variety of activities. The most noticeable features when someone walks out to it are the two putting greens and the baseball diamond. The entire field is an artificial surface allowing the children to get outside and play any time it is warm enough. In the Fall, Challenger Baseball games will be held here and we use it as often as possible for our junior golf program. Anybody else as amazed as I am at the one-of-a-kind facilities at Ranken Jordan?
During our most recent junior golf session, we changed things up and had a bit of competition on the links at Ranken Jordan. It started with an alternate shot event with two-person teams consisting of the children's team (two teams of our junior golfers) and the team of doctors. During this fun, highly competitive match, the therapists helped the junior golfers get lined up and I helped a couple of them swing (two of the kids need hand-over-hand assistance to help them swing). While standing back and watching, I am not sure who had more fun competing in the match -- the doctors or the kids! For those scoring at home, the two teams of junior golfers tied and the team of doctors finished in third place. At the completion of that match, the children and therapists created teams for a long drive contest and we finished off with the kids having their own long drive contest. I do not think I can adequately describe how much fun we all had!
Days like this are yet another illustration of the inclusive nature of golf and also how much of a healing tool the game can be. I ask the question frequently -- who in their wildest dreams would ever imagine that a pediatric hospital would have two putting greens, a baseball field, and a year-round weekly junior golf program for medically complex children? Not only does Ranken Jordan have all of that, but they have the staff who is willing to think outside the box in the care they are providing the children and their families. Miraculous work is being done every day at 11365 Dorsett Road in Maryland Heights, Missouri. I am eternally grateful that golf is a very small part of that and thankful that I get to spend time there every week.
