So, what would you do with one million dollars? Ponder thatthought while you repeat the amount in your best Dr. Evil voice.One ... million ... dollars. Would you buy a house, a sports car,an 'A' in your nemesis class?
What if you gave it all away?
When the Champions Tour (Senior Tour) season closed, CharlesSchwab gave a one million dollar annuity to Tom Watson since he'dearned the most points over the season. Watson, who had enjoyedpossibly his most successful season ever in over 30 years ofprofessional golf, immediately donated the entire annuity in honorof his friend and caddie, Bruce Edwards.
The duo first worked together in 1973. Edwards needed a loop andapproached Watson on the driving range. Watson took one look andsaid OK. Edwards remembers that the rest of the afternoon he wentfor more balls and more water. A partnership was formed and thepair have combined for over forty wins in the last thirtyyears.
Last year, Edwards noticed something was wrong. His left handwas locking up, his speech was slurred. A Mayo Clinic visitconfirmed the worst: Edwards was saddled with amyotrophic lateralsclerosis, ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's disease since itclaimed the Yankee great. There is no known cure.
Edwards has become one of the golf world's stories of the year.Suddenly, reporters were running to him for quotes after a roundinstead of Watson. Edwards' humble determination to carry on haswon him universal respect. But the story behind the story isWatson.
When Edwards found out the diagnosis, he'd just gotten engaged.At the Champions Tour season opener in Hawaii, Watson and his wife,Hilary, set up a sunset wedding on a Kona beach for Edwards and hisbride, Marsha. Some couples have all the luck.
But Watson didn't stop there. He wanted to win another major forhis ailing caddie. Of Watson's eight majors, Edwards had only beenon the bag for one: the 1982 U.S. Open. Watson fulfilled thatdesire by winning the first senior major of the year and tacked onanother in July. Watson also gave Edwards another U.S. Open momentby surging into the first round lead. As they walked up the lastfairway, the crowd was chanting Edward's name. Edwards had tears inhis eyes.
In addition to donating the annuity to seeking an ALS cure,Watson's personally pledged to defray the costs of Edward's medicalbills and set up a trust fund. Watson also founded Driving 4 Lifewith Edwards to raise money to find an ALS cure.
As we all sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, we'll no doubt givethanks for the blessings we have. But we should also be thankfulfor the blessings others have and what they're willing to do withthem. Watson's generosity shows that the true measure of a manisn't found in his possessions but in his actions with them.
Edwards notes that he got a letter telling him he was aninspiration to people with ALS since they saw his attitude. Wecould say the same of Watson for his gifts and friendship. It'sjust one more example of selfless generosity. That's trulysomething to be thankful for.
Write to Jeff at mannedarena@yahoo.com
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