James Etheridge

When Bobby Jones started The Masters tournament in 1934, it wasn’t even The Masters. For the first five years, it was called The Augusta National Invitational. Mr. Jones referred to it as “a gathering of friends.”

This past Friday there was another “gathering of friends” in Georgia at Lithonia’s Mystery Valley Golf Club. Walker High School met for the second annual Alumni Golf Tournament, also known as “The Thor Trophy.” The event went off without a hitch, although it seemed that was certainly not going to be the case in the days leading up to the tournament. Thunderstorms were predicted for all day Friday, but that morning the rain stopped and the day remained cloudy and breezy. There were twenty-eight Warhawks present, some of whom had not seen others for decades.

Afterward, a group of eight lifelong friends congregated on the deck outside the clubhouse. The afternoon went on, the shadows grew longer, the staff left for the day, but the group remained. Three of the eight had known each other since kindergarten. Another four had known one another since 1963, playing on the same Little League baseball team. They all had known each other since grammar school. Cigars were handed out. The seal was broken on a door prize and the contents were shared. There was laughter. There were stories. There was reminiscing. At one point one of the friends said, “You know fellows, this is really great.” The group concurred. A toast was made. It was one of those things that really only happen once, a day that is never forgotten, sixty years of friendship gathered in one place.

Dusk began to fall and it was time to leave. There were handshakes. There were hugs. There were promises made to get together again soon. Hopefully, that will indeed be the case. Before the friends left to go their separate ways, a group picture was taken.

I am thankful, honored and proud to be included in that picture.