What I Learned from Tom Watson Today

AnneE · 07-19-2009, 04:08 PM

In case you have been cut off from all media or somehow tune out all sports news, today Tom Watson, came within one putt of winning the British Open at the age of 59, which would have made him a full 10-years older than the current oldest winner of the Open, who was 48 when he won it.

While many are focusing on Watson's missed putt and others are focusing simply on the odds of anyone his age finishing second (odds makers had him at 1000 to 1), there was one line of his post-tournament interview that jumped out at me.

The reporter asked, "Could you, at your age, in your wildest dreams have imagined that you would have had a shot at winning the British Open?"

Watson smiled and said, "in my wildest dreams? Yes. Coming into this tournament I was playing very well and I know how to play this course. So yes, I could dream it and in fact that dream almost came true."

What was clear to me, was not that Tom Watson could dream of winning the British Open in 2009, but that he DID dream of winning the British Open in 2009. I'm convinced that he envisioned himself playing well all 4 days and winning and so that's what he did, well almost.

I remember someone else saying, you have to be able to IMAGINE yourself successful, before you can actually make it a reality. And so I'm inspired not by Tom Watson's victory over Father Time, nor his grace under pressure and in defeat -- both of which are indeed remarkable. No, today I was inspired by Tom Watson's ability to dream, what others might consider a 'wild dream', and reminded that dreaming is the first step.

mrrichesinniches · 07-19-2009, 04:37 PM

I'm an old geezer and I was rooting for TW all the way, although I was happy for SC.

Jim Hallmark · 07-19-2009, 09:21 PM

I too was struck by Tom's comments after the tournament, although it didn't surprise me. A savvy veteran golfer, with 8 major championships and over 60 wins in his career, he has established a pattern of success over the years. And it all started with him visualizing himself being there. Obviously there is much more to it than that but without this important piece, it is questionable that his career would have had the same results in my opinion.

As Mike Dooley from the movie The Secret says, "Thoughts become things" so choose the good ones.

clubvikram · 07-19-2009, 11:25 PM

Tom not only did a great job but inspired a complete generation to dream and go after with complete focus and strength to achieve it.Jim thanks for sharing this from the movie secret, "thought become things" so choose the good ones,what a wonderful piece of advice i will certainly try to remember it and apply it in my life.

07-19-2009, 04:08 PM	#1
AnneE In Denial About Age War Room Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Catskill mountains of New York Posts: 660 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 101 Thanked 97 Times in 65 Posts	What I Learned from Tom Watson Today In case you have been cut off from all media or somehow tune out all sports news, today Tom Watson, came within one putt of winning the British Open at the age of 59, which would have made him a full 10-years older than the current oldest winner of the Open, who was 48 when he won it. While many are focusing on Watson's missed putt and others are focusing simply on the odds of anyone his age finishing second (odds makers had him at 1000 to 1), there was one line of his post-tournament interview that jumped out at me. The reporter asked, "Could you, at your age, in your wildest dreams have imagined that you would have had a shot at winning the British Open?" Watson smiled and said, "in my wildest dreams? Yes. Coming into this tournament I was playing very well and I know how to play this course. So yes, I could dream it and in fact that dream almost came true." What was clear to me, was not that Tom Watson could dream of winning the British Open in 2009, but that he DID dream of winning the British Open in 2009. I'm convinced that he envisioned himself playing well all 4 days and winning and so that's what he did, well almost. I remember someone else saying, you have to be able to IMAGINE yourself successful, before you can actually make it a reality. And so I'm inspired not by Tom Watson's victory over Father Time, nor his grace under pressure and in defeat -- both of which are indeed remarkable. No, today I was inspired by Tom Watson's ability to dream, what others might consider a 'wild dream', and reminded that dreaming is the first step.
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07-19-2009, 04:37 PM	#2
mrrichesinniches Active Warrior Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 39 Thanks: 4 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: What I Learned from Tom Watson Today I'm an old geezer and I was rooting for TW all the way, although I was happy for SC.

07-19-2009, 09:21 PM	#3
Jim Hallmark First class or not at all War Room Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 210 Thanks: 106 Thanked 93 Times in 58 Posts	Re: What I Learned from Tom Watson Today I too was struck by Tom's comments after the tournament, although it didn't surprise me. A savvy veteran golfer, with 8 major championships and over 60 wins in his career, he has established a pattern of success over the years. And it all started with him visualizing himself being there. Obviously there is much more to it than that but without this important piece, it is questionable that his career would have had the same results in my opinion. As Mike Dooley from the movie The Secret says, "Thoughts become things" so choose the good ones.

07-19-2009, 11:25 PM	#4
clubvikram Banned War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: , , . Posts: 206 Thanks: 1 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Re: What I Learned from Tom Watson Today Tom not only did a great job but inspired a complete generation to dream and go after with complete focus and strength to achieve it.Jim thanks for sharing this from the movie secret, "thought become things" so choose the good ones,what a wonderful piece of advice i will certainly try to remember it and apply it in my life.