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From the sidelines: Golfing with the Hetts

To say I embarrassed myself would be the understatement of 2007.

It wasn't really the fact I was playing with the 2006 3A state champion, or his freshman sister who isn't too shabby herself. Heck, I played so bad I would have made a fool of myself if my playing partners were a blind beaver and a three-legged goat.

But this wasn't about me.

This day on the golf course was about Travis and Lindsay Hett. I wanted to write a story about the senior and freshman siblings who were able to experience one year playing together at Marion High School. So why not talk to them while on the links?

Really though, I wanted some tips on my golf game.

On the first hole I told Travis if he saw anything wrong with my game he could give me some advice. But I told him to be selective, I didn't want to be there all night.

As we were playing I found out Travis' first love was golf, not basketball, the sport I assumed he would play in college. He said he loved being outdoors and what better way to spend it then on the golf course.

His work ethic and love of the game since he was two, propelled him to a golf scholarship with Hutchinson Community College where he will be a freshman this fall. It was the only school he visited, but Travis knew it was right for him.

Lindsay on the other hand isn't into golf as much as her brother (her first love is basketball), but she still enjoys it. Her first tournament in Herington this past year was nerve-wracking, but after the first hole she calmed down.

Being the only, or one of a couple, girls at every tournament must have been tough, but Lindsay said it was almost never a problem.

"Some of the guys were like, 'Great I'm gonna get beat by a girl,'" she said. "But for the most part, none of them said anything."

They couldn't after seeing her play. Although she struggled some during varsity meets, she played well enough at Hillsboro during a junior varsity meet to beat every other golfer there.

At the state tournament she beat all three in her group, and broke 100 with a solid 99.

I knew I had a shot at breaking 100 while playing with them because we only had time for nine holes.

Family affair

The two have an older brother Nickolas who played at the state tournament, and won the Marion Country Club Championship in 2003 and 2004. Their dad Aaron is an avid (and pretty good) golfer as well. Still, none of them have what their mother and wife Lanell have — and she has two of them.

Twice she recorded a hole-in-one at the ninth hole at MCC. When I asked Lindsay if her mom played a lot she said, "ehh, not really" and then reminded me of her once-in-a-lifetime achievement, twice.

It was definitely pretty ironic the family member who golfed the least had the hole-in-one, and I thought 'maybe it could happen to me today.' Then I hit my next shot and remembered why it wouldn't — you have to be able to hit the ball straight.

Through the middle of the round I realized the two were pretty much what I have thought all along — nice, calm on the course, and courteous.

They held in their laughter when I shot. But neither could control themselves when a shot I hit bounced off my bag 15 feet away, shot straight up in the air, and landed in the middle of a sand trap. I looked at Travis and said, "Did I not tell you if it could happen on a golf course it would happen to me?"

But the calm and courteousness wasn't just because they were playing with someone they didn't know that well. I've seen them on the golf course and basketball court before, and they were the same way. Neither one too emotional, but the desire to win, and respect for the opponent, was still there.

Pride for the courses they play was evident as well. Travis said he would love to be a greens keeper on any course, and would enjoy keeping it looking the best he possibly could.

Both said some of the neatest courses they have played were in New Jersey where they visit relatives. They were pretty tough Travis said, and he had to work hard to shoot in the 80s.

I told him that must be nice to struggle and still shoot that well. Then I realized I was on pace to break 80. Who cared if it was only nine holes?

Final hole

Travis and Lindsay both said they enjoyed playing on the same team during the season, and I could tell because they seemed to enjoy each other's company during the round.

While both have the opportunity to be cocky, neither are, instead they are humble in the way they go about their daily lives.

As good as Travis is on the course, he still refers to Harvey Penick's, "Little Red Book: Lessons of Teaching From a Lifetime of Golf," when he is struggling.

Lindsay could have rubbed it in that she was 10 years younger and 10 times better, but instead she complimented me when I hit what looked like a golf shot every once in a while.

Even though they both soundly defeated me, they won with class, waiting until I was out of earshot no doubt to talk about why I was ever allowed on a golf course in the first place.

But once again this wasn't about me. I had to keep reminding myself no matter how bad I played, I was there to talk to the talented duo.

So I asked questions and they were open with their answers. Travis told me someone who struggles can't blame it on their clubs.

"Even if they're from the '80s," I asked looking down at my clubs.

Lindsay said she kept the same mindset when on the golf course or the basketball court. The basic fundamental of keeping your head in the game was important, she said.

It was interesting hearing their thoughts and seeing how they interacted on the course. It was apparent this family was full of athletic talent.

It also was apparent they would do anything it took to win. Travis ended up with a one over par, 37, (even though he was basically sleep walking through the course, trying not to make me look too bad).

Lindsay shot a respectable 52 after finishing the round with a bogey.

I, on the other hand shot 64, giving myself a zero on two holes when I picked my ball up halfway through because of frustration.

Hey, I never said I played with class.

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