Cadillac, Golf and What’s Really Important

Is Eric Snowden a hero or a traitor? Will yet another attempt to reform our immigration system die in the House? Has the economy turned the corner? Did you find a new job before your unemployment ended? Does anyone know what George Zimmerman’s lawyer was trying to do when he started with a knock-knock joke? What do you think Kanye and Kim should name the baby? Can analysis be worthwhile? Is the theater really dead? (Special thanks to Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel for the last two questions.)

Practicing putting at Trump National Golf Course.
We know what is truly important.

Certainly, nothing is more important than what is happening in your life at this moment. That’s why I was so excited to have Cadillac back in my life on Monday. All right, maybe it’s more appropriate to say it’s in my brother’s life, because he’s the one who actually owns, or is it leases, the 2013 powder blue Cadillac CTS coupe. Sixteen years ago, I owned a 1972 cherry red Cadillac Eldorado convertible that Midwestern winters had turned into something Californians wish not to have exposed to their sensitive eyes. To make my brother feel more like part of the family,

Cadillac invited him to a golf clinic at the Trump National Golf Course in Rancho Palos Verdes, a secluded portion of the coast between Long Beach and Los Angeles. He was able to bring a guest, and was kind enough to choose his older male sibling.

A Cadillac on the golf course.
No, they didn't give them away as door prizes.

Neither of us had played golf in more than a year, but that was of little consequence. We closed his office at 9:15 AM and took the hour-long trip in Cadillac style. After registering, we each drove the new ATS model, which Cadillac designed to compete with the BMW 3 series. Not that it’s important, but it was by far the best handling Cadillac I have ever driven. (I’ll retract the qualifying clause if Cadillac wants to pay me for the endorsement.) Then, we had what Cadillac referred to as breakfast, an egg and cheese burrito with salsa and juice, but the two of us, early risers, considered lunch.

For the next hour we received a golf lesson from the clinic host, David Ledbetter and South African PGA tour player, Trevor Immelman, who won the Masters in 2008. (This may be a good time to note he beat Buick spokesman, Tiger Woods, by 3 strokes.) Our mouths definitely hung open as the young professional launched one perfect shot after another. He did acknowledge he was born into a golf family. Poor chap.

The last two hours of the clinic were spent going from one hole to the next, where the group received instruction in putting, driving, chipping and the use of hybrid clubs, before everyone took a turn practicing the lesson. When it came time to video each invitee’s swing on their drive, Neil and I were glad to let a few duffers go ahead of us.

The drive back to his office, where he decided to catch up on some work and I was glad I am retired, didn’t take any longer than the morning trip, despite increased traffic. Somehow, it doesn’t seem as long in a Cadillac. (I’ll take whatever GM is willing to pay me.) Later, I would discover I hadn’t properly coated my neckline with sunscreen and have lobster neck as a result. Small price to pay for doing what is really important—spending a day with your brother on an exclusive golf course, and allowing the luxury automobile company that he pays every month let us think we’re getting it all for free.