Okay, let me set up a scenario for you. It’s a Monday morning in August, the weather is starting to turn for the worst and my alarm roars at 6:00 am. It's still summer but I shoot out of bed, not tired and not dreading what's ahead. At this point you are probably thinking I'm going to Disney World or some crazy vacation because what 17 year old girl is excited to get up at 6:00 on her last days of summer? The answer may surprise you, but it’s a  girl who is about to head out the door to another day of golf with Coach Bud.
Coach Greg Budzien, dubbed Coach Bud for short, is unlike any human being I have met. He is witty and a smart Alec, his response to EVERYTHING is perfect, which makes him so likable. 
I only knew coach Bud as my golf coach (and sometimes life coach) but I was surprised to see that he had done a lot more for Arrowhead. It seem like any sport I mentioned, Bud had coached.  I still run into him Friday nights announcing boys basketball or football games. He also was an English teacher at Arrowhead High School for 28 years.  It seems like anyone I ask knows of him. But not only do they know him, they have learned something from him or have a story to share about him. He is like the grandfather of Arrowhead.
Now back to golf. Golf is a rollercoaster sport.  You can shoot a 54 one day, and the next a 43. I experienced this at one of my first meets.  I had a horrible round.  As the tears trickled down my face on hole 7, Coach Bud rushed over in his cart.  He made me sit next to him as he drove me to the next hole.  Seeing my frustration, he talked to me.  He told me my score didn't matter, we were there to have fun, and to take it one shot at a time:“Forget every shot you have taken today, and just focus on this next shot right here.” His words put my mind at ease. 
I got up to that tee box, took a breath, looked back at Coach Bud, and swung.  It was the best shot I have ever taken.  I finished that round with a god-awful score, but I learned how to handle tough situations and how to let things go. Plus, Coach Bud took us to Le Duc’s for ice cream after (just another example of how he has the perfect response to everything).
But Bud did more than coach.  He also gave us life advice. I could go to Bud with any problem I had.  Now looking back, everything Bud said about golf also applied to life.  Telling me to forget the bad and focus on what is ahead of me, reminds me to slow down in life and focus on what I am doing right now.  That isn't the only advice he gave.  Some of my favorites were: “Practice doesn't make you perfect, perfect practice makes you perfect,” “Teasing is love,” and “Keep swingin til the snow flies.”  Each one I could connect, and have connected, to problems in my life. 
I wanted to end with my FAVORITE Coach Bud story of all time: Freshman year, Coach Bud was driving my best friend and me to our next hole.  I was sitting next to him and my best friend was on the back of the cart.  We were chatting about the day, when Coach Bud whipped around a corner and I flew off the cart.  We all sat in silence for a second, until I got up and lost it laughing.  After that, we all looked at each other and lost it,  although I think Coach Bud was just thankful he didn't kill one of his freshman. But what really makes this story is that Coach Bud was right there picking me up when I was down, and he has always done that since.That story still comes up everytime I see Bud, and we laugh. Something about being thrown out and having someone there to pick you up really creates a bond.
Coach Bud has taught me more than just how to golf, and he has made me a better person.  He is deserving of my thanks and gratitude.  Coach Bud doesn't have any kids, but I can honestly say he has become like a father figure to not only me, but many he meets.   He has done more than make lesson plans and think of practice games, he guides his students and helps them when they need it most. So this summer when I wake up on a beautiful Wednesday morning at 10:00 am, well-rested, i'll be saddened by the fact that I won't get to head out the door to another day of practice with Coach Bud.