I woke to a beautiful early October day with temperatures projected for the high 60's. I put on sweats and started for a run and just shook my head when JJ joined me. We hadn't done this in a while and it was a leisurely run as football shape was different that running shape. When we finished I told JJ that I wanted to be at the club by 10:00 as I had things to get ready. We decided to meet in 40 minutes and would eat at the diner in the West End.
I showered and what I was wearing today was important, well to me. I selected a medium to light grey pair of Nike golf long sleeved pants and a classic green Oakmont golf shirt and a belt from Latrobe which was white with the umbrella logo all around it. I would use my white golf shoes that I kept at the club. I packed jeans, a long sleeved tee and a hoodie for the way home. I was not planning on hanging around and the clothes would dictate the porch and not the dining room. JJ keeping with his new image had on Nike dark blue pants and a white VT shirt with running shoes. We drove to the diner and when we went in the waitress just laughed and asked where my dad was as my brother just left. Then she brought the coffee and said guys Halloween is a few weeks away. I shook my head and she said well you are dressed like a Pro Golfer and Tex here is dresses like a Yankee. We both laughed and JJ in perfect Texas speak and asked if she could rustle up some grub? When the food came I knew lunch wasn't necessary and it was eggs over, 3 pancakes and 4 sausage links and whole wheat toast. JJ and I talked about football and he said he couldn't believe there were only 3 games left and I laughed and said well 4 playoff games in the district and 2 state games. He laughed and said damn when will I have time to shop for Christmas. I laughed and said Chocolate World in Hershey at the state finals. We finished eating JJ paid for breakfast and I left a giant tip. We don't come here often but keeping the natives happy here is important.
At the club we went right to the Pro Shop and I made sure I had Logan as a caddie. I was told that everyone had showed up and if they didn't get out they wanted to watch Cole. Also, a number of members asked for carts so they could watch and were told to either walk or sit on the porch. I found that funny. Then I was told the USGA people except for Fay and Dobis, in the second group, were riding. I said to make sure Fay had a good caddie and that I didn't care about the other but that each group should have 3 fore caddies as there were some leaves down. Then I asked for Logan to grab my clubs and that I would be at the practice range in 30 minutes. I grabbed a sleeve of balls and we walked to the putting green and I simply went to the pin on 9. Standing 10 feet behind the pin, I held out an arm at waist height and dropped it and it sat there for a second and started to role and stopped 10 feet below the hole. Then I move 10 feet to the left and dropped another ball and it just sat there. JJ asked MJ, if you drop the ball beside the hole what happens and I said well you have a long walk to get the ball. I did as he suggested and the ball stopped 10 yards down the fairway. JJ said shit, I'm glad I'm not playing. I shrugged and said you have to know where to hit it and when to take a chance. JJ, back in a day this was a par 5. He laughed and said, let's go see the Cole/Liam show.
At the range there was a group around Cole and he was dressed in shorts and a polo shirt and I thought that strange. I found Logan and he thanked me asking for him. Then he said his brother has MR. Fay and that was a big deal. I said Logan, Mr. Fay is a good guy and if your bro sticks with business he will be more than good. Logan who has the bag for the other guy walking and he laughed and said Walt. Mike, Walt knows his shit but he has simply left people on the course as he couldn't stand the guy. Logan he is very good and all the important members fight to get him and they put up with the other crap. Your brother might have fun watching that interaction. I went and hit balls for 15 minutes and Logan and I watched AP warm up and Cole went to the locker room. Liam apparently went to the caddy area. I wondered when he was there last. Then I saw Cole's coach come out of the caddy quarters but didn't think anything about it.
I hit a few putts and was talking with AP and Carole and we were laughing about the reaction to the green speeds. David Fay came over and said hell you don't even a putting stroke just nudge the ball and it goes 10 feet. We all laughed and there was a commotion as Cole appeared in Black and Gold Plus 4's. Liam was wearing the old time white caddy overalls with Simmons on his back. Cole was all business on the green and 5 minutes before our tee time we, well AP, determined the order and I hit a solid drive which was on the fairway. Liam handed Cole a 3 wood and he raised both hands expressing outrage and grabbed his driver. I just laughed as Cole always hit driver on this hole. Cole did his usual warmup, hit it a mile but a bit left and it hit a tree and fell in the 3" rough. AP Carole and I were on the green and we looked at Cole's ball and it was nestled down and I was thinking he would be lucky to hit it on the fairway. He had a big following and I would guess 60 people and he was clowning around and when he saw the ball he had a chat with Liam and calmly went through his routine and he swung really hard and grass flew and Cole didn't even look and handed the club to Liam and the place went nuts it was on the green 10' below the hole and was in better shape than the rest of us. It turned out that there were 3 par's and Cole birdie.
Cole made a big putt on the third hole for a par and we were on the Par 5, 606 yard fourth hole and till this point I had let Cole do his thing. He was playing with the group following us but he seemed tense. I asked Liam about the issue and he said Mike, I'll give him one more hole. Just stay even with him as we were both -1. This is a long hole and there are the "Church Pews" on the left and bunkers and trees right. I had the honors and while I was hitting Cole was watching me hit and he smiled and he went to his bag and took out his driver, handed Liam the cover and started his routine, but he stopped and went over to me and said thanks. He went back to the tee and started his routine and hit the best tee shot I have ever seen it was well over 300 yards and in fact it was almost 330. Well he was still about 270 yards away and I was thinking an iron and a wedge and a birdie. Instead of screwing with his groupies he walked the whole way talking to AP. Carole said Mike, he is about to take a chance and this next shot will determine how the rest of the round goes. He is struggling and I wish I hit it like him with my B game.
The three of us were all inside 140 and Cole and Liam had a discussion and Liam handed him a 5 iron. Cole took the club looked at AP who simply shrugged and Cole handed the club back and grabbed a 3 wood. Those watching cheered and Cole bowed and hit a bullet that landed 10 yards short and rolled on the green to 20 feet. Liam took the club and bowed to Cole and as it turned out Cole's putt lipped out and he made a 4 footer for a birdie. That was followed by birdies on 5, 6 and 7. Carole and AP were just enjoying the heck out of the show and the better he played the bigger the show got. The 8th hole is simply a bitch as it is a par 3 plays at 288 and has a sand trap on the left side which is only smaller than the Sahara desert. Cole hit an iron to the front of the green and pitched it to 3 feet and made par. He parred #9 and when I checked he had only 12 putts on the toughest greens on the planet and he shot 30, which was 5 under. I was -1 as was AP and Carole was +2.
We grabbed a snack at the halfway house and as we were heading to the 10th tee I saw Walt the poor guy cladding for Dobis. I asked how it was going and Walt said Mr. Simmons if he wasn't with the USGA and there was a train when we crossed the bridge I would have tossed the clubs in the train. I laughed and said well don't let the USGA status stop you as he is a giant pain in the ass and I'm looking for a way to get him off the committee. Walt asked if I was serious and I said absolutely. Hell if you want ditch him wait till after 10. That way he will have to walk up 11 before he can get a cart. Walt, just have fun and I got your back.
Cole played 10 & 11 with routine 2 putt pars and on the 12 tee which is back towards the clubhouse the following grew as word was out about the front 9. The Pro came up and asked did he shoot 30 on the front or is that a joke? I laughed and said well you can't be too much higher with 12 putts. I was told that was more special than the 30. The 12th hole is a very long 666 yard par 5. It is very much down hill and slopes from left to right. You just hit it hard down the left side and hope it releases. There is no doubt it will roll if it does. Cole simply blasted one and it ended up 370 yards and just off the fairway with a perfect lie in the first cut. There was a lengthy discussion between Cole and Liam, which Cole won and Liam was pissed and I knew it wasn't a game. Cole's shot hit deep on the green and bounced over. Liam grappled the club shoved it hard into the bah and stormed off in the direction of the green. At some point Liam reached behind him and ripped Cole's name off the back of his out fit. Cole seeing this threw his arms in the are and walked briskly to Liam where he got in front of him knelt down folded his hands as if in prayer. Liam shoot his head and helped Coal to his fate and pointed to the sand trap. Cole found the name strip and reattached it to Liam's back. The ball was in the bunker with an awful lie and 40 feet from the pin. Cole stood there staring at Liam and Liam smiled and said, so now you want my help? Liam handed him a club Cole settled in and sand flew and the ball rolled past the hole and stop about 6' away. Cole easily made the putt and was now -6. There was another bogie and we arrived at Cole's favorite hole #17. He reached in the bag and took a driver and Liam handed him an iron and grabbed the driver. He lifted his leg and placed the driver so that he could simply snap it and said hit the iron or you will be hitting a fairway wool off the tee on 18. I knew Cole was pissed and it wasn't a game but he played it like one and laced an iron up the hill. Then it was a sand wedge to 3 feet and a birdie and Liam handed him his driver.
When we finished Cole shot 63, I shot 71, AP shot 67 and Carole tied me with 71. Then I saw Walt talking with the Pro and I knew he should be in the group behind us coming up 18. I asked what happened? Mr. Simmons it was bad the entire back but on 13 he asked what he should hit and I gave him the yardage and said sir, I have no idea, based on the round so far you could hit anything from a 5 iron to a driver. Then he called me a dipshit and I stood there. He put his hands on his hips and said, I'm writhing and I handed him a 3 iron which he hit in the bunker, hole high and left. That was my fault and he messed up the bunker so bad it took me 5 minutes to get rake it. Then on 16 he asked what club and I told him it didn't matter as he couldn't get it there and he called me a fucking asshole and I simply came here to talk with Mr. Ford. Bob, I knew this would happen and I am expecting the club to stand behind Walt. The Dobis guy is on the committee because he took his dads place and while I didn't know his dad I think the apples rolled a mile or two from the tree. Bob laughed and said Mike, that's correct. Then I said let's see how David deals with it. I looked on the fairway and saw a cart with 2 players and David Fay and his caddy walking down the center of the fairway chatting. Mr. Dobis was about a 100 yards back. When they finished David shook hands with everyone but ignored Dobis. David made a straight line to us and apologized to Walt for the conduct of his guest. He said that he appreciated Walt's patients and that even during tournament week the USGA is a guest here at Oakmont.
As Dobis walked by David said Steve hold on a second and David said you owe Walt here an apology. Dobis asked why would I do that as he left me on the course. David said Steve you are on our committee as a favor to your dad. Today you embarrassed me, the USGA and your dad if he was still with us would be both embarrassed and irate. Dobis looked at me and said I know you set this up. Before I could say anything David said Steve, in two meetings Mike has contributed more to our organization than you have in 6 years. I will expect your resignation on my desk before noon on Tuesday and if not we will throw you out and it will be very public. Now get out of here you are not invited to dinner. Then Davis asked where's Cole? I pointed to the porch where he and Liam were sitting. David went over shook the guys hands and sat down.
AP and Carole sat on another part of the porch and I asked AP, what did Cole asked you on the 5th hole. Mike, he wanted to know how to determine to take a chance and go for something? I told him trust his caddy and then his gut. Mike what changed things is that you and Cole both do a very little thing at the top of your backswing Cole with all the practice had changed it and his new swing wasn't up to it. To be honest he should fire his swing coach. All they do today is make everyone swing the same. I was ready to go home and stopped at the Pro Shop and found two people broke 100 and nobody beat Cole or Carole. I was told that the people were paid and it was charged to my account. I said that was great and please get every caddy involved today a $50 tip except Walt and see to it that he gets $200. With that done I joined JJ hanging out with Cole and Liam. I wanted to get home so I finally got JJ to agree and we headed home.
I pulled into the driveway and JJ and I hugged and I went in the house and found dad and Megan and Ashley was down for the night, they hoped. We talked briefly about the golf as I wanted Cole to tell his story. I asked Megan about visiting the building and she said she would see me there. Megan, it would be nice if after we eat if we didn't have separate cars. Mike, do see a car out front that I drive? I thought for a minute and said, I do not. Mike, I have a driver and I'll be dropped at the building. Megan, that's unusual so why? Mike, it's a new policy due to threats, not here but a growing number of threats. I shook my head and said damn, that's sick. I went to the basement found a large box for my gifts and went to my room.
I packed the box with things for my office and went to my room and worked on things for school. I saved the English for last and mostly concentrated on History as WWI and the build up to WWII were of no particular interest and I needed to work at staying current in that class. It was still early and I started on CMU stuff. I was at that for about an hour when Cole came flying in and said MJ, David invited me to a meeting in February at Pebble Beach. MJ, that's the next UU Open site. Cole, I know and hat does that have to do with me? MJ, please fly Liam and me there all we want is to play the course. MJ please, you can play as well. Cole, that's not an up and back and things are messed up with me and the USGA right now. Let's think about it? MJ, think about all those hours in your new jet? I smiled and said good point but I would want the Major along, so let me check. I got a big smile and I was thinking this wouldn't be easy as it's on the edge of the range of the jet, we would need to refuel.
As I was getting ready for bed I was thinking about the week ahead at work and would settle the car issue but no longer wanted a Jeep and I needed to know who at work was in for the car. Then there was the Liam deal and I wanted to schedule a meeting with Scott Cleary to touch base on the Highmark deal and to get started on the adjacent property. I need to set up my office or at least start that process. There was football on Friday, another away game. All I knew about the game as they had two losses and one of them was against Central so it could be interesting. Besides all that I was happy that Megan was showing an interest in the building and dinner would be dad's place in Greentree. With all that running through my head I jumped into bed after a long and interesting day.
At school Heather and I talked making plans for the week until the last minute. I flew into English at the last minute and I was it with two questions, which I had covered. With the third one I said, I chose not to answer as unless I'm mistaken there are others in the class who are equally prepared. There was dead silence in the room and the teacher started at me and if looks could kill somebody would be writing my obituary. Clearly pissed off she moved on but I was left alone. On the way out after class I heard Mr. Simmons a minute, please. I waited a minute to make sure we were not alone and said, we can talk in the Guidance or Principal's office. The last time our "private conversation" was misrepresented and I went to History. I was wondering what the blowback would be. The rest of the day was normal and I figured the pushback would be tomorrow in English. I simply drove to work.
The first stop was to see Tim and check on the contract for Liam. I was told he got it as he was leaving for lunch and Tim gave me a copy. I dumped my stuff in my office and went looking for Kyle. I found him in his new office and I asked how he was settling in? Mike this is fantastic and I ordered furniture that reflects the space with help from Bruce and his designer. What's up? I smiled and said Textron and your project. Mike, we can finalize it next week and I need your approval to finalize it and I was going to talk about it at our meeting Wednesday. Kyle, that was me asking about the jet, not the deal. Kyle laughed and said Major Jim had the jet locked in with Cessna so it's only the other two planes and the simulator. I laughed and said only? He shook his head and said Mike, it's fine. All you have to do is smile and say all the right things. Remember we will get the planes and a good bit of profit. I thought I could do that. Kyle, can you get me a model of the jet for my office? Tell them that Diane will be here for an interview and the prop would be nice. He said sure and answered his phone.
Back in my office I was trying to place pictures and was having a tough time. Giving up I called James at the Gallery and cancelled the bronze busts, saying they didn't fit my latest vision. I knew that place would house the Space Shuttle and the model of my jet. Then I looked at the placement of my furniture and changed it all around. The conference table was heavy and just a bit awkward. Now the wall and file cabinets would be behind me and I had a fantastic view, looking forward and the conference was in the right corner so it didn't block the view. I was on the phone with Scott Cleary when Liam appeared I waved him to have a seat and finalized a meeting for Thursday at 1:00 in my office.
I looked at Liam and asked, so did you have fun yesterday? Mike, I have worked at Oakmont since I was a high school freshman, in all kinds of events and with all kinds of players and no one has played the front 9 like that before. That was more than awesome. Liam, you heard me set an appointment and I would like you there. I need a through review of Highmark and then I want that land next to this building. Mike, won't it ruin your fantastic view? I laughed and said nope as it will be set back further from the river and there will be a lot of green space between the river and the building. As for the design, I have no idea, it could be the three musketeers or something totally different. Basically I made the point that we should always build on the past. While that's important, I need a new message to shake the locals up. Next week I have an made for TV event here in my office with Diane and I need to get this wall settled. I'll save the new project for the end of that interview. Liam asked Mike, so you will wrap up the new land in a week? I laughed and said yup as they really don't have a choice as traffic is so bad outside PENNDOT (PA Department of Transportation) isn't likely to approve another tap into the highway and a traffic light. Liam, it helps to occasionally play nice with the Mayor. While I'll remain neutral I have lined up union support for his upcoming run for Governor. Liam, just listened as some of this was new and it was the tip of what would the real event.
Liam for tomorrow I would like to meet with Major Jim and Jordan as we need to finalize the cars and who is in and who isn't with that. Actually I have changed from a Jeep to a BMW 580i convertible. Liam asked, why is that different from your current ride? Well Liam, one is a FORD and the other isn't. Liam laughed and said whatever. Liam, on Wednesday I have a one on one with Kyle and that will take most of my time. However I would like you close by should either of us need you. We finished up a few minor details and I needed to get to school for practice.
Practice was Monday afternoon at the movies and JJ, Josh and I sat in the back and kept each other awake. At this point of the season there weren't many secrets and the position coaches would let us know about anything unusual. There was always the possibility of a trick play or them running something a bit unusual or knew. The reality was that it was very unlikely. The larger school coaches were a tight community and they all coached with or against each other for years. Often secrets and plays were exchanged informally. JJ and I talked as we walked to the car and I asked what he knew about Wyatt and JJ laughed and said, well he is pissed as he had never been benched before. MJ, he said he wasn't hurt. I just shrugged and said I would see him tomorrow as I had dinner with mom. JJ laughed and said that might be culture shock.
I drove back to the building and was surprised how many cars were in the lot. Then I remembered about flex time and the union workers were working to finish up the third floor. I was in my office playing around with the pictures for the wall when my office phone rang and security informed me that a Megan Simmons were here. I said thanks and went right down to get Megan. Once there, we hugged and I asked how much of a tour she wanted and I was told the works. I smiled and we started on the first floor. As we walked through she asked how do you manage to keep the place so neat? I laughed and said well security clearances and we can't leave things laying around and then there is always the Dillon police. She found the hysterical, well the police part. She asked how they were adjusting to the very open environment. Megan it was a bit of an issue but for a few days I dealt with the issues to show my interest. Then I turned it over to Dillon and he developed a form and would deal with the "important" ones. She laughed and asked, so is Dillon you bad cop? Nope, that is definitely me as I remind them where they were working a few days ago. Actually it works as most work in teams. We quickly walked through the 2nd floor and took the elevator to the 4th floor.
When the elevator opened on the 4th floor Megan took three steps and stopped and looked around. She said impressive as it's just like the other floor. I laughed and asked what did you expect a sign saying the private office of Mike Simmons with an arrow. Megan said Mike, something more elegant. I opened the door and we ran into Amy who was leaving. Introductions were made and she chatted with Megan for a few. As we walked down the hall Megan was able to look in every office. She asked so what do you do for privacy? I simply went into an office and picked up the remote on the desk and the blinds lowered. She just shook her head. Megan the expectation is that the blinds are not often used. I pointed to dad's office next to mine and when we got into my office she just stood there and looked. I started to show here around and she was very quiet. We went outside and she looked at the view and she looked at me and I got a big hug and she said you built an amazing building but this office is all you. It is amazing, but I have one question, why the wall? I laughed and said, well so dad can't see what I'm up to. She laughed and I said also beside this and I showed her a picture of AP's office with all the pictures behind his desk.
We spent another 15 minutes in the office and I said well dinner is very informal and a special place for dad. Megan it is a quick drive to Greentree. We walked into the bar and Megan just started to laugh and said Mike, this place is a fantastic old style bar and it's special to my husband? The same guy who lives at a Country Club go figure. We sat down and immediately dad's buddy, the owner, came over and I introduced Megan Simmons and he sat in the booth and we talked. Megan ordered a mixed drink and I ordered an iced tea. I explained about the food being large. When I ordered a half Italian delight, Megan said I'll have the other half. I added an order of fries. When the drinks came she looked at my beer and asked Mike, at how many places does this happen? I said Megan, I'm not sure as it is an expanding list. We talked about Cole, football work and general stuff. The food came and she asked could I have ordered a quarter of a sandwich. I laughed and we started eating. There was another round of drinks and mine was actually iced tea.
As we finished our drinks Megan asked so Michael how are you? I smiled and said Megan, I'm doing well and I'm starting a new building. Also, there is a message change. Megan, most of this was luck as building 2 is smaller and outside it is the same as the bigger building 1. However inside building 2 will reflect the older style environment. Both stress how we must build on our past and who we are and what we have done. The bigger building reflects we we are going in the future. This new building on the surface needs to be what we are becoming and the interior needs to be more futuristic that building 1. I laughed and said, I need different names for these buildings. I'm thinking 100, 101 and 102 Phoenix Way. Ok, so what's the new message? Megan, it starts next week with an interview with Diane at ABC News. Megan, I have often said we must build on the past and move to the future. I challenged our community and state leaders to get on board. The new message is that they have had their chance and it is time to move forward and elect forward thinking officials. As for me a new building which I expect to fill with people from the MJS companies. We have an expansion with Textron, the GE thing gets bigger every quarter and it simply prints money. Then there is the education expansion with "Grade Book" and our deal with the Naval Academy. Megan looked at me and said and you will do all this from VT? Megan, it is about 2 hours from here by Jet which will be parked there. I'm not rethinking that but it might not be three years. I want the building started and underway before I leave for VT. I tried to pay the bill and that went nowhere. We simply drove home and with light traffic it was a 20 minute ride home.
At home I got a big hug and Megan thanked me for a fun time. Then she got various serious and said Mike, tread very carefully on a political storm, only pick fights you can win and this isn't horse shoes close is a loss and you don't get any misses. Trust me as you don't get in my position being reckless. Megan, I won't mess with the Mayor as he will self destruct. The county people are insignificant and I want influence on the Senate race and 2 congressional districts. I thought I might be able to urge the leadership along. That hasn't happened so now I'm dragging them forward. She smiled and baby steps. Megan I am aware that this is the biggest bet I have made and the amount of dollars and jobs that could be effected scares the shit out of me. There was another hug and we went our way.
PLEASE IF POSSIBLE CONSIDER A DONATION TO NIFTY. DETAILS AVAILABLE ON HOME PAGE AND IT'S EASY,
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR CONTINUING TO FOLLOW THE MJS saga and for the comments.