Golf and other Four-Letter Words- Mr. Norby

    The clock has hit zero's for 2017. With 2018 only days old, now might be the right time to reflect on the people and events that shaped the previous 365 days.
    We experienced loss this past year with the unexpected death of Andrew Norby Sr. Andy, as he was known, ran the cart barn at Cross Creek Golf Club. After he retired from Dolco in 2002 he had been full time at the course.
    If you've ever played in an outing or just a casual round of golf at Cross Creek, you've come into contact with Andy. He was the face of the organization. He was the guy that had a golf cart waiting for you when you drove onto the lot. The guy that asked how you did when it was over. Never afraid to voice his opinion, the guy that arranged the carts so it would be a smoother start for the biggest outings.
    Andy hid behind a gruff exterior, but he was really an old softie when you got to know him. He mentored dozens of young pro shop employees and was a sounding board for their many trials and tribulations. He loved his dogs and cats at home and had a place in his heart for Jewels our pro shop Golden Doodle.
    His biggest joy was watching his grandkids play sports. Golf, basketball, swimming, track, no matter the venue Andy wanted to be there for them.
    In the five years we had worked together the proudest moment I can remember was when he went to Great Lakes Naval Base to see his grand-daughter Ally graduate from boot camp. Andy was a Navy man himself, a Machinist Mate second class,  and he enjoyed talking to any and all Navy personnel when they visited the golf course.
    As we age we all slow down a step or two. We really don't see it ourselves or even want to admit it, but it's a fact of life. Andy had planned to be back for another season in the cart barn, but it just wasn't meant to be. An old Hebrew proverb explains it best.
    “Man plans and God laughs."
    It just won't be the same without him. We didn't always agree, or see things from the same perspective, but the man was our friend and a more loyal friend you couldn't find.
    We're getting new golf carts for next season. Sixty brand spanking new gas Club Cars. It's a shame Andy won't be there to see it.  Andy did his darndest to keep our aging fleet running the past 20 years. But would you expect anything less from an old sailor like Andy? I wouldn't.
    From all of the golf course employees past and present, the many students he coached over the years, all of his bowling and golfing buddies, and of course his wife Barb, all four of his sons, and the rest of his loving family, rest in peace old friend.