My Grandfather's Ghost
As the CFO and I were playing golf today, I saw my grandfather, Gilbert Lineback, out on the course driving a mower. Considering that he died nearly 40 years ago, that was quite a shocking vision.
Gilbert Lineback, ca. 1947, sans hat.
Upon closer inspection, the man was about my grandfather's size and age when he died, and was wearing the same garb -- long-sleeved white shirt, denim bibed overall and Fedora hat -- that he wore for most occasions. The only difference was that the man on the mower was wearing Pointer Brand overalls and my grandfather preferred Red Camels.
Turns out that this man has worked as a greensman at High Meadows for 46 years. And, using an old word I have not heard used in many years, he said that he "holp" clear the trees when the course was built. Beaming with justifiable pride, he asked how we liked the condition of the course and I told him (truthfully) that it was nothing short of spectacular and in the best condition I had ever seen.
Seems he began wearing the once-common white shirt-overalls-Fedora clothing combination in 1951. These days he's having difficulty finding "real" overalls unlike those now being made in China.
I'm so glad I met him because, for the few brief moments I could spend with him, it was as if I was talking with grandfather once again.
Upon closer inspection, the man was about my grandfather's size and age when he died, and was wearing the same garb -- long-sleeved white shirt, denim bibed overall and Fedora hat -- that he wore for most occasions. The only difference was that the man on the mower was wearing Pointer Brand overalls and my grandfather preferred Red Camels.
Turns out that this man has worked as a greensman at High Meadows for 46 years. And, using an old word I have not heard used in many years, he said that he "holp" clear the trees when the course was built. Beaming with justifiable pride, he asked how we liked the condition of the course and I told him (truthfully) that it was nothing short of spectacular and in the best condition I had ever seen.
Seems he began wearing the once-common white shirt-overalls-Fedora clothing combination in 1951. These days he's having difficulty finding "real" overalls unlike those now being made in China.
I'm so glad I met him because, for the few brief moments I could spend with him, it was as if I was talking with grandfather once again.
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