Bobbie and the Glass Ceiling - Chapters 7, 8, & 9

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Bobbie and the Glass Ceiling — Chapters 7, 8 & 9

By Portia Bennett

Ever since high school, Bobbie has been known for her short game; that is, her approaches to the green, her ability to play sand shots, chipping, and putting. She knows, as does everyone else, that it is the reason she is where she is in the tournament. Well, she caught Campion and whoever his accomplice is off guard when she sank her sand shot on six. It’s only a matter of time before the evil forces are going to try to disrupt her game even further. They are not very nice people.


 

If you haven’t read the previous stories about Cindy, Bobbie, and the rest and how they arrived where they are now, you should probably read them. Start with An Incremental Journey, Cynthia and the Reluctant Girlfriend, Cynthia and the Dumpster Diver, Cynthia and the Moment of Truth, and Cynthia and the High School Years — Parts 1 & 2.

I have researched the Spell’s—R-Us Universe diligently and cannot find anything that violates it, other than that The Wizard is a bit kinder and gentler than sometimes reported. Don’t get me wrong. Given an opening, The Wizard could resort to some of his more ironic and nasty transformations. I’m sure that could happen at any time.

Once again, Holly did an outstanding job of fixing my punctuation errors and occasional wanderings into gibberish. My thanks also go to Beachbud, Michell, and Djkauf for their subjective proofing and comments.

This work is copyrighted by the author and any publication or distribution without the written consent of the author is strictly prohibited. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of the characters to persons living or dead is coincidental.


 

Bobbie and the Glass Ceiling, Chapters 7, 8, and 9

 

Chapter 7 — Pampas, Par 4, 450 Yards

From the Announcers Booth

“Back in 2010, they lengthened this hole by 40 yards. They moved the tee back into the forest and you’re looking down a chute between the pines. Still, most of the hitters are hitting eights, nines, and wedges for their second shot. Anderson has hit a seven iron each of the last three days for her second shot, and has parred the hole each time. This hole hasn’t been a challenge to either of them, so far.

“If there’s any trouble, it’s around the green. There are five bunkers waiting for an errant shot.

“Campion has the driver out again. He takes that patented waggle and crushes it right down the middle. It should easily be on the upslope.

“Anderson’s going with the driver, too. Oh, oh, something happened during her swing. The ball’s going right, and I’m not sure whether or not it’s going to stay out of the trees.

“Ray, what’s it look like down there?”

“Al, she did get a bit of a break. I think she can see the green, but I’m not sure whether or not she can get the ball there. It’s sitting down in the pine straw that they cart in here by the ton for the tournament.” The cameras focused in from several angles to show the ball partially nestled down in the orange straw about twenty feet to the right of the fairway.

“Let’s take a look at the slow motion and see if we can figure out what happened. Her set up is great. Everything looks fine on the take-away. Look at this. It looks like she might have lost her balance on the down swing, or maybe she was distracted. She turned and gave someone a real nasty look after she hit the ball. I wonder what it was? The mikes around the tee didn’t pick anything up.”

On the Course

‘Cindy, somebody pushed me. Did you get it?’

‘Yes, it was pretty strong. It definitely came from around the tee box.’

‘Charli and I felt it, too,’ Randi chimed in. ‘I’d say it came from somewhere within fifty feet of where you were standing. Whoever is doing it is pretty quick.’

‘Well, Andy and I are going to have to check the damage. God, I hate hitting out of that shit.’

“Andy, somebody pushed me. I couldn’t stop the swing in time and had to hit it. I think it could have been far worse. Let’s see what we have. If I ever find out who’s doing this, I’m going to turn them into toad pee.”

“I figured that’s what happened,” Andy answered. “This is the first fairway you’ve missed all week.”

The cameras followed the couple down the right side of the fairway. Campion and his caddy stopped in the center of the fairway even with Bobbie’s ball. They looked at her and Andy, almost as if they were gloating over her misfortune.

“I don’t think I should go for it. I’m for punching it out and hitting a wedge to the hole. Those bunkers are death.”

“I agree. Choke down on a six and punch it down there just past where his ball is sitting. You might be able to save par, and a bogey wouldn’t be that bad.”

“Yeah, give me the six.”

Golf historians would ponder for years about what might have happened. Bobbie knew exactly what happened. She was screwed.

**************************

Eight Years Before

“Bobbie, what do you think of England now that you’ve won the Women’s British Open?”

“I love England, and I love playing links courses. My husband and I played over here when we were in college, and we have always wanted to come back. One of these days, I would love to play in The Open, too.”

“That would be a bit difficult, you being a woman, and all.”

“Mr. Brewster, I’ve researched the criteria for qualifying, and I don’t see one thing in there about having to be a man to play in The Open. One only has to win certain tournaments or reach certain levels of ranking, or merit as you put it, to be eligible to play. I’ll bet you 100 pounds of Stilton that I’ll play in The Open within ten years. I’ll bet a cask of fine port, that I will win it.”

“You’re fookin’ bonkers. There ain’t no fookin’ skirt what’s going to win The Open, much less any American or European PGA men’s tournament. You’re fookin’ daft.”

“No, Mr. Brewster, I am not fookin’ daft. I am a fookin’ good golfer, and I am not going to let you or any other bigot tell me what I can or cannot do on the golf course. I will play by the rules, and I will win.

“Now that we’ve clarified that matter, are their any other questions? Yes, Mr. Simard?”

A Few Days Later

“You’re serious, aren’t you?”

“As serious as a heart attack: I’ve never seen any reason I couldn’t compete on the men’s tour. I may not be ready yet, but if I can get my foot in the door, I would love to give it a try.

“Don’t you think I can do it?” She was sitting on him, fully impaled. They were spending a few days in London before returning to the US while celebrating her sixth professional victory and third victory in a major tournament in less than a year. In a few days, they would return to the U.S. and try to make sure that Andy did well enough on the Nationwide tour that he would get an exemption to play the main PGA Tour.

“Not only do I think you can do it, I’m positive you can do it. It won’t be this year or next year, but it will be soon. I’m behind you one hundred percent.”

“I’m not too sure about the ‘behind me’ stuff. We’re pretty close, but I think you usually get there just before me. Let’s see.”

It was a dead heat.

**************************

The Present - From the Announcers’ Booth

“There’s no question that she’s making the smart decision. Just punch it out, and then try to hit it close. She can still get her par.

“Alright, she’s trying to get settled in. Look at that slow backswing. Oh, oh, there’s a problem, and she’s stepping away.

“Ray, what happened? Did the ball move?”

“I think it did, Al. She’s calling the official over and pointing to where the ball is sitting. This could be disastrous. If it moved after she addressed the ball, it’s a one stroke penalty. She’ll have to replace it.”

“Let’s see if the cameras picked anything up. Yep, there it is. She’s addressing the ball, and, look at that. The ball moves up a bit and rolls about an inch. There must have been a stick under all that pine straw, and she stepped on it when she addressed the ball.

“The officials are talking to the control trailer to try to determine where the ball was. Anderson’s pointing to the spot where she thought the ball was resting. The official agrees, and she is being allowed to place the ball. She and her husband caddy are carefully checking the surface out. She doesn’t want to move it again.

“Okay, she’s punched it out and it’s stopping just past Campion’s ball. She’s lying three, staring at a sure bogey, maybe even a double. This hole has been a disaster for her. But, you know, this gal has guts. If there was ever a time for her to suck it up, it’s now.

Out on the Course

“Don’t say anything, Bobbie. Here, take a drink and have some more of the energy bar,” Andy said as he handed Bobbie a bottle of chilled water. “Are you still okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, just madder ’n hell. You know something; I am going to beat that bastard so bad, that he will never play again. Let’s get this hole over with. The good ones are just coming up.”

“I know they moved the ball, Bobbie. There was no way that your stance could have moved it. That crap was real thin under your feet. You couldn’t have moved it.”

‘Bobbie, we think one of them did it. Four of us sensed the spell. The ball was caught in that stuff, and it had to be lifted. That takes a stronger spell, and it had to be a longer interval. It’s either Campion, or the caddy,’ Cindy offered.

‘But you know what that means,’ Bobbie replied. ‘That means one of them is a sorcerer or wizard. It can’t be Campion. It has to be the caddy. But, there aren’t sorcerers or wizards in this universe other than His Wisdom, and ‘you know who’. I don’t think the latter’s up to doing this, yet. This is really strange, and really shitty.’

‘His wisdom has been talking to Marti and Charli on their I-Phones. He said to keep your spirits up. The tournament isn’t over yet.’

From the Announcers’ Booth

“Here’s Campion with a wedge again, and he hits it safely to the center of the green. Who would have ever thought that a 450 yard hole would be a driver and a wedge?

“Here’s Anderson with her wedge. Unfortunately, this is her fourth shot. Her ball lands outside of Campion’s. I think she pulled it a bit.

“You know, in spite of her misfortune on the hole she still seems to have a bounce in her walk.

“There’s nothing very tricky about the putt, but it’s a long, long putt. Such a beautiful stroke; it has a chance. Oh, my, she had it perfectly on line on the high side. One more rotation and it would have been in. Well, it’s a double for Anderson and that leaves her at nine under. She’s still one under for the day. The fortunes of golf can be so cruel.

“Campion leaves his putt about a foot short, and it’s an easy par. We head to the eighth with Campion at minus twelve and a three stroke lead. There’s still a lot of golf left, and no one else is making a run at them.
”ƒ
Chapter 8 — Yellow Jasmine, Par 5, 570 Yards

From the Announcers’ Booth

“This is one of two holes on the course without a bunker around the green. Regardless, the area around the green is full of hills and valleys. It’s definitely reachable for Campion; however, Anderson has strictly played it by the books. It’s been a driver, middle iron, and a wedge for her. Campion’s eagled it on day one, then missed the green with his second the next two days. Anderson has gone par, birdie, par.”

Back on the Course

“There’s no reason to try to play this any different than we have for the last three days. Let’s just take our par and move on. If we can birdie it, so much the better

Campion opted for a 3-wood to avoid the bunkers on the left, and Bobbie hit a nice drive down the middle. There was no reason for her to try to kill it. She ended up probably ten yards behind Campion and had avoided any trouble as well. That was fine with her. There were four par five holes on the course. To this point, she had played the par fives fourteen times. She had not even thought about going for the green with her second shot any of the times. She knew she wasn’t out of it, regardless of whether or not he was using magic.

**************************

Five Years Earlier

“Daddy, guess what?”

“You’re pregnant. No, that wouldn’t be it. You would have asked for your mother, first. I give up. What is it?”

“I’m going to be playing with the men.”

“What’s Andy going to say about that? I thought he was the only man you were going to play with.”

“Daddy, that’s not very nice. I am going to play golf with the men. I’ve received an invitation to play in The Travelers in Hartford.”

“Do you think you’re ready to do this baby? You’re going to catch all sorts of hell from some of those guys.”

“Daddy, I’ve been ready for a long time. I need a challenge, and this is it. Andy says I can do it, and I think he’s being honest with me. He really wants me to do it.

“I have a couple of months to get ready. I’ll keep playing on the LPGA tour, but we’ve some things we’re going to try to give me some realistic practice.”

“What do you mean?”

“We’re going to lay back on the drives, to force me to hit longer shots into the greens. Of course there will be some holes where that isn’t possible, but we’re going to do what we can to get mentally ready.

**************************

Five Years Earlier — The Announcers’ Booth

“Arnold Vincent has won the Travelers Championship rather handily; however, that almost dims in light of the performance turned in by the young Bobbie Anderson. She received a sponsor’s exemption and invitation to play in her home state, really as a symbol of appreciation for what she has accomplished in women’s golf over the last few years.

“All the pundits said she’d play two rounds and wave goodbye. That was not to be, she easily made the cut, and what does she do? She finishes in tenth place, only six strokes out of the lead. We have seen all sorts of history made this weekend. This young lady can play golf. This was no fluke. She has won everything in sight on the ladies tour. Why shouldn’t she try to play on the men’s tour?”

“While we’re waiting for Vincent to sign his card, Archie Chambers has this astounding young golfer by the eighteenth green.

“Go ahead, Archie.”

“Thanks, John.”

“Bobbie, congratulations on what many are saying is a shocking event. Not only did you make the cut in a PGA tournament, you shot a final round 68 to finish in tenth place. I don’t think anyone anticipated anything like this. How about you; what did you expect?”

“Archie, it’s so nice to be able to talk to you. I guess it’s been since the US Open last year. I’ll be quite honest with you. I wouldn’t be playing here if I didn’t think I had a chance to win. My husband and I have thought for quite a while that I could do it; however, getting a chance has been a different matter. I want to thank the folks at The Travelers for inviting me and giving me this chance.

“I think this will all sink in, in a little while. It has been everything I hoped it would be. I want to say this right now before I forget. The players were professionals in every sense of the word. They treated me with the respect I hoped they would. I must say this has been a very encouraging week.”

“By encouraging, you mean?”

“I mean I am going to be playing next week at the John Deere Classic, and if I play well enough, I plan on continuing to play on this tour.”

“So you don’t think this was a one time event?”

“I think with a few breaks, I might have won this tournament. This just confirms what I’ve felt for a long time. I can win out here, and I intend to.”

“What are you trying to prove?”

“I don’t think I am trying to prove anything, other than that skill and cunning can beat strength in this game. This is not about man vs. woman. This is about playing a game that requires skill and strategy. I am not a four-hundred pound gorilla. I play the game the way it was intended to be played.”

“So what do you weigh?”

“Archie! No gentleman asks a lady that, and I will have you know that I am every bit a lady.”

**************************

The Present — On the Course

Once again, Bobbie hit first after the drive. Her easy 7-iron ended up near the right edge of the fairway, leaving her with a strong wedge to the pin that was about as far back and far to the left it could get.

Campion had a 4-iron and blistered it toward the green. Once again, he pulled his shot, leaving him with a very nasty pitch over the mounds, and no green to hit to.

“Hit this,” Andy said as he handed Bobbie the pitching wedge as they walked up to her ball. “Just put it in the center and below the hole. He’ll be lucky to get his par.”

“Have I told you over the last few holes that I love you?” Bobbie countered.

“Well not directly, but the fact you’ve been taking my advice is all I need to tell me that you do. Let’s get past these next two holes, and then I think we can start tightening the screws on him.

“I have an idea; run it by the others. Let them know we know what they are doing. I’m not saying do anything. Just let them know that we have as much or more power on our side, and that we can screw up his game just as subtly as they have been doing to yours.

‘Guys, did you get that? What do you think?’

‘We’ll run it by His Wisdom,’ Cindy replied. ‘It makes sense. By the way, your dad said to take the driver and hit Campion between the legs.’

‘I’ll have to wait until after this is over. That would probably get me DQ’d for interfering with an opponent. That would be fun, though. Let’s just see how this works out.

‘I’ve got some work left here. Let me know what His wisdom thinks when we reach the next tee.’

For once, Campion and his caddy stood politely out of the way as Bobbie lined up her shot. She couldn’t see the bottom of the pin, but she knew exactly where it was. Unfortunately, she didn’t take enough spin off the ball and it came up about twenty feet short. She’d take it.

In the Announcers’ Booth

“Campion’s going to have a tough time getting this to stop near the hole. He’s about eighty feet off the putting surface and has only about fifteen feet of green to work with.

“All things considered, he’s hit a pretty good shot. It’s ended up in the fringe outside of Anderson’s ball. He didn’t really have a chance going at the pin. I think they’ll both take their pars and be glad to walk off this hole none the worse for it.

“Campion’s putting out of the fringe and doesn’t quite have it on line. It’s stopping about three feet to the right. It shouldn’t be much of a problem from there.

“Anderson’s putt is just about dead straight. The only problem might be hitting it too strongly.

“Well, she hit it just about perfectly. She missed it about a ball’s width above the hole. I can’t think of a hole where she’s missed it on the low side. She is just fantastic around the greens. What a touch!

“She taps it in from about a foot away. Now it’s up to Campion to avoid losing a stroke. Dead center; we’re off to the ninth. Campion is maintaining a three stroke lead. He’s twelve under and Anderson is still nine under after eight holes.
”ƒ
Chapter 9 — Carolina Cherry, Par 4, 460 Yards

From the Announcers’ Booth

“Anderson has freely admitted that these next two holes are her least favorite on the course. She says that in spite of playing them at level par each day, nine and ten really test her short game, especially ten.

“The fairway is quite narrow off the tee and downhill to the landing area. The problem is the green. It slopes from the back to front before sloping down the hill even more. It’s an absolute must to get it to the hole. If you don’t, the ball can roll to the bottom of the slope, giving the golfer a devilish chip back up the hill.

“Most of the big hitters are hitting pitching wedges or sand wedges for their second shots. Anderson’s been hitting sixes and sevens most of the time.

“Campion’s obviously going with the driver.

“Whoops, he’s leaning a bit, as if it’s going right. Ray, what can you see down there?”

“Al, he doesn’t have a problem at all. It went over my head and got a great bounce. It’s probably about 340 yards down the fairway. He’ll have an easy wedge to the hole.”

“Anderson has the big lumber out, too. I think after what happened on the last hole, she might be letting out a little frustration.

“She has absolutely crushed it. This has to be her longest drive of the tournament. Where’s that going, Ray?”

“It’s running down the hill and stopping about thirty yards behind Campion’s ball. She’s hit it about 310, maybe 315 yards, giving her a very good shot at the green.

**************************

Five Years Earlier

The John Deere Classic, East Moline, Illinois, Greenside Interview

“Bobbie, this may not have been as good as last week, but still, you have to be happy with twentieth place.”

“I guess I should be happy, but at the same time, I’m very disappointed in my play today. I was in a good position to make a run at the leaders, but couldn’t get the ball up and down when it counted. I went backward, when everyone else was at or below par. A two over 74 is never going to bring about very good results on the last day.

“But, I’m not really that disappointed when I think about it, I finished ahead of forty other players, and that confirms what I have believed for quite a while. I can play good golf at this level.”

“So you will be playing next week?”

“You bet. Andy and I are heading out there tomorrow. We’ve never played at that altitude before. I’ve seen the course on TV, and the Montráªux Golf & Country Club looks like a beautiful place to play. I’m looking forward to it.”

“Does the fact that much of the competition is going to be in England at The Open have anything to do with it?”

“Honestly, I wish I was over there playing at Turnberry; however, I’m not qualified; at least, not yet.”

“I remember your interview a few years ago. So that is still one of your goals.”

“My goal is to play the best golf I possibly can, and more than ever, I think I can play over there and win. The problem is going to be to qualify. I am going to be so qualified that they won’t be able to deny me.”

“Bobbie, I wish you luck next week and in the future.”

“Thank you, Archie; it’s always nice to talk with you.”

The camera cut to Bobbie walking arm in arm with Andy towards the club house, then cut back to the announcer.

“Folks, that is one determined golfer, and you know what? I think she can do it. She has all the tools.”

**************************

The Present, In the Announcers’ Booth

“Al, Anderson’s going with the 7-iron. No, she’s backing off. She and her husband are talking it over.”

“Ray, what’s the problem?”

On the Fairway

“I think she’s between clubs. They’ve talked it over and she’s going with the six. I think that’s the right choice. She can hit an easy six and it might roll out a bit better than a hard seven.

“What a beautiful swing. This is going right at the pin. It’s going to come up a bit short, but she should be in excellent position for her par.”

Back In the Announcers’ Booth

“Campion’s hitting the wedge again. That and the driver, seem to be his favorite clubs.

“Here’s the shot. It’s going right at the flag, and he’s done it again. It took two bounces and it’s drawing back. Will it stop? It has, and he will be putting first. Anderson will be able to go to school on his putt.”

Back On the Course

“Bobbie, you got him. He’s playing stupid. He’s going to go to pieces, magic or not.”

“Don’t get your hopes up. There’re still a lot of things they could do to screw things up for us.”

“Just play your game.”

Back In the Announcers’ Booth

“Anderson’s had to move her marker. She’s right in Campion’s line.

“Here’s the putt. It looks good, and it comes up just short.

“Anderson’s replaced her mark, and put the ball down. She’s giving it a good run, and it’s come up just short, too.

“Well, it’s going down to the last nine. Anderson still has a reasonable chance at this. Campion seems to have a one dimensional game right now. Anderson has all the shots, and after the eleventh, the holes on the back nine are right up her alley.”

Heading to the Tenth Tee

“Andy, they did it again. That putt was going to drop, and they stopped it at the edge. It was good all the way.”

“Have some water. Things have backed up just a bit, and it will be a while before we can tee off.

“Are you feeling okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m not tired at all. What’s going on up ahead?”

“Apparently, there was some sort of ruling and a problem with the interpretation of something to do with a manmade object or obstruction. The two groups in front of us are still waiting to tee off.”

“Good, I need to pee.”

Several of the portable toilets were reserved for the players, caddies, and officials. Bobbie made her way to the domino-like row of portable toilets. She noticed that Campion’s caddy was also making a bee-line to the portable facilities. He cut her off, and took the next available.

She finished, and as she stepped out noticed that the caddy was leaving a john, different from the one he entered. ‘They probably ran out of toilet paper, serves the bastard right.’

He cut her off again, and she couldn’t believe what he did next. He winked at her. Bobbie felt her anger rising.

“Andy, that bastard had the nerve to wink at me when we were coming back from the johns. He’s really sure of himself, isn’t he?”

“I wouldn’t worry about him at all. Let’s just tend to your game. Take this one hole at a time. Have a power bar. We still have a few minutes before teeing off.”

**************************

They are half way through one of the true tests of golf. And, in spite of magic being used against her, Bobbie has been able to hang on. Whoever is using magic knows it can’t be too obvious. The results of the magic can’t be out of the ordinary, or the whole magic world might be exposed. That wouldn’t help anyone.

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Comments

The Caddy

littlerocksilver's picture

In the world of the golf tour, caddies and players usually know each other, maybe not always closely. In this case, Campion's caddy has been around for at least five years.

Portia

Portia

AMEN

OH I want to Bash Campion, I'd have to Use a five iron I hit better with it.

Goddess Bless you

Love Desiree

Goddess Bless you

Love Desiree

Campion

littlerocksilver's picture

Unfortunately, over my nearly 22 years in the military, I've known some 'Campions'; however, I knew many very good people who would have never put up with him. As we know, there are 'real Campions' on the tour, too.

Portia

Portia

Ah yes

I am sure that the OIC my husband had for 3 years was worse than Campions, For he said he had a 17 year vacation with 3 years of hell.
Goddess Bless you

Love Desiree

Goddess Bless you

Love Desiree

Altho I am not a golfer, I

Altho I am not a golfer, I do like to go and hit some balls around at a driving range. I really like this story, as it is written just as if you were actually there seeing and hearing it for real. I hope they find out who exactly is doing the magical bit on them and are able to come back on that person(s) before the game is over. Jan

Retribution

littlerocksilver's picture

I hope so, too. Well, we're about half way through this saga, and the excitement is just beginning. Jan, it's always nice to hear from you. Having the advantage of knowing the whole story, I think you will find the conclusion satisfactory.

Portia

Portia

Campion is a fool, except he

Campion is a fool, except he has no idea what is going on. That would be the burner, wouldn't it? A chauvinist pig, supported by magic and has no idea what is going on. On the other hand if he really is using magic against her, maybe someone can be invisible or something, he's risking everything. He seems to have an idea that Bobbie can use magic, but still uses it against her. What keeps her from doing the same?

Thank you for writing this captivating story,
Beyogi