A Woman's Game Chapter 3
1912:
Eleven years after that faithful day in the city of Boston Francis Ouimet is just as passionate about golf as ever. Her mother is testament to that fact.
One night as Mrs. Ouimet was lying in bed with her husband at a very late hour she heard a very familiar noise coming from one of her children's bedrooms. Quietly Mary Ouimet slipped out of bed so not to disturb her husband and went down the hall. As usual it was her daughter Francis practicing her golf again at this late hour.
Mary Ouimet groaned "Francis. It's after midnight."
"Just one more, Mother," implored Francis.
Mary Ouimet nodded smiling at her firstborn.
Smiling back Francis gently tapped her club on the ball. The golf boll rolled into the tin cup she had acting as a hole on the floor.
In the morning Francis went to work at her job as a caddie at the Country Club while her siblings went to school. Inside the kitchen Mary Ouimet was making another addition to the scrapbook she'd been keeping over the years of her daughters exploits in golf and everything she came to like about it as she grew up.
The most recent one is a newspaper article of Francis coming out victorious at her high school. She had it carefully glued onto a clean page.
Ouimet Wins Public High School Championship
Francis had almost not been permitted to compete in the competition because of her gender and it being all boys, but in the end she managed to convince the official's to give her a shot. She'd stunned them all with her skill.
Mary Ouimet couldn't have been more proud. She just wished her husband would share her sentiments. As Francis grew up into a strong, capable, and confident young woman Arthur Ouimet showed more ever increasing disapproval and disdain towards her interest in the sport. He wanted her to focus on work and eventually going to college not wasting her time on a sport ruled by the wealthy where they would never accept her. This made the relationship between father and daughter quite strained. Don't get her wrong Francis loved her father very much and was devoted to him, but he made it extremely difficult to maintain. Francis merely wanted to make him proud.
On the golf course in the Country Club a well-respected member had requested Francis as his caddie for the day. Francis was always more than happy to act as his caddie. He always had a kind word to say to Francis asking her how things were going with her family along with her practicing with golf. He was one of the few people here who actually saw no problem with treating her as an equal both inside and outside of the sport.
Lugging Mr. Hastings clubs over her shoulder Francis spotted him waiting for her at the first round of the course.
"Mr. Hastings," greeted Francis.
"Ah, Miss Francis," said Mr. Hastings, smiling.
"Sir," said Francis, pulling out a club for him as she was walking.
The two shook hands with Mr. Hastings accepting the club.
"We now lack but one essential to complete the swift appointment of our round, your clubs," said Mr. Hastings.
"My clubs, sir," said Francis, worriedly. "Caddies aren't allowed on the course. If Mr. Campbell sees me out there-."
Mr. Alec Campbell, the Caddiemaster.
"You let me worry about Campbell. Go. Get those clubs," instructed Mr. Hastings. "You go, girl. Get those clubs."
Francis went running to get them from where she had them in the cabbies cabin as fast as her legs could carry her placing Mr. Hastings clubs on the wall. With how fast she was moving it wouldn't take long. She didn't know what was going on, but she was going to enjoy it.
"Hup, hup, hup, hup," said Mr. Hastings.
From start to finish Francis shoots a fine round. The whole time Mr. Hastings is encouraging lending criticism whenever he thought she needed it. On the number fifteen hole out of eighteen Francis so far have seven swings if she got the ball in the hole it would be good for that part of the course. It would be a tiny bit difficult considering the ball had fallen into a sand dune right beside the actual hole. No problem for Francis she could get it out easy as pie.
Francis got into a stance adjusting her grip on the club prepared to swing. She raised her head to recheck her position and on the top of a hill overlooking the course she saw Mr. Campbell staring at her intently with an impassive blank face.
Francis felt her stomach drop knowing full well she was banned from doing the course because of her caddie status. Nerves getting the best of her Francis swung, but instead of the club knocking the ball out it hit sand.
Francis deflated a bit, but worked herself up to get the ball out. The next one got the ball out and she was able to get it back onto the grass in close proximity to the hole. Later on Francis ended up with a total score of 81.
It was dark outside now. Francis had a little more work to do cleaning some equipment. So she went to the caddies cabin and put her clubs away.
"What did you shoot?"
Francis turned to find the Caddiemaster, Mr. Campbell, watching her. He must've been waiting for her to come back. After his unannounced appearance at hole 15 he'd vanished.
Francis swallowed figuring he was about to fire her.
"Uh, an 81, sir," said Francis.
"What did you take on 15," asked Mr. Campbell.
"A nine, sir," said Francis.
"So you shot an 81 first time around on the toughest golf course in New England. With a nine," said Mr. Campbell.
"Well, I…I think…," stuttered Francis. "Well, I saw you standing there, knowing that caddies aren't supposed to play…"
"Go on," coaxed Mr. Campbell.
"I…I think I got a little nervous, sir," said Francis, quietly.
"We needed to see how you handled yourself," said Mr. Hastings, sticking his head in through the doorway.
"Handled myself," said Francis, frowning, not following the direction they were taking the conversation.
"National Amateur Championship's here next month," said Mr. Campbell.
Eyes wide, gawking, looking back and forth between both men, Francis said "Are you saying that I can…What do I have to do? I'll do anything."
"You have to play in the qualifier," said Mr. Campbell.
Mr. Hastings said "That's the easy part. You have to be approved by the Executive Committee."
The Executive Committee was very meticulous about the sort of people they allowed to play in their competitions. Hearing them mentioned raised a huge red flag to Francis.
Confidence sinking, Francis said "They're not gonna let me play. I'm a woman. They won't even consider me. I can hear plain as day what they're going to tell us. That a woman has no place in a sport ruled by men. The rules-."
"The rules speak of a player," said Mr. Hastings. "They don't specify from one gender to another."
Looking at these two seasoned golf veterans with brand new eyes, Francis whispered "You really think I have chance."
Shrugging, nonchalantly, Mr. Hastings quipped "Would we be here talking to you about this is we didn't?"
No, no they wouldn't. Time to take a chance.
Authors Note:
Wow, over a year. My sincerest apologies for the delay, my friends.
None of you are going to believe what happened to me recently. I was on the way to get my nails done for a potential job interview when suddenly another car slams into my from behind. An idiot driver wasn't paying attention so I and the car in front of me got hit pretty hard. I'm fine, got lucky, not a scratch on me, but it could've been a lot more serious. Right now the side of my head hurt and my left side is really starting to feel the pain. Nothings broken just sore and bruised.
Bad news is my car got totaled. I really liked this car to I've had it for three years. Good news is I'm going to be able to buy a new one, unfortunately, it'll be a while before I can.
Today was looking so bright and then this crap happened.
For those of you who drive here, take my advice. EYES ON THE ROAD! I came out alive this time around. The same thing might not happen for any of you if you get into an accident. It's harsh, but the truth.