Profile of a real Warrior!

Just when we all thought Sensei Bill Bauknecht was ready to meet Saint Peter at that big dojo in the sky, he rebounds once again! Just a few weeks ago he was told his spreading cancer had invaded his skull and upper leg. This in addition to just about everywhere else in his body. People with his type of cancer seldom survive more than two years. The good doctors told Bill this over five years ago!

When Bill called me two weeks ago with his latest MRI results, he was really down. I found it difficult to give him a verbal kick-in-the-ass, telling him we had a golf date September 5th and he better be there!

At camp, Susan gave Bill, what may just be an old herbal tea placebo, explaining to Bill that she was told it cured everything from cancer to warts! She claims it helped her allergies and she wanted Bill to give it a try. Well Monday morning, Bill called, saying he had just mixed up his 2nd gallon of the brew and was feeling much better. . . so good, in fact, that he was planning on meeting me at the Easton Country Club on Tuesday for our 6:30am Tee time.

We actually finished 18 holes! Bill tied me on the front 9 holes! He slowed his swing down, which had the effect of making his shots a beauty to behold. Straight but not quite as long as before! He never was much of a putter though, which gave me a chance to keep up with him. 

His bones are as brittle as "old sticks" he claims, and a bad swing might result in a bone break that would never heal. He had to be careful. 

Bill was always a great golfer. He probably could have turned pro as a youth had he wished. Amazingly enough, this skill remained, even though his strength, eyesight and endurance has left him. Watching him sink a Birdie put on the 11th hole made my heart race as much as his. I took a picture of him during the putt, however, the  photo wasn't able to capture the pleasure and happiness behind the smile. You had to be there. . .

And you can. . . on Monday, September 25th, a golf buddy of mine is organizing a golf "Tribute to Bill Bauknecht" at the D.W. Golf Course in Brockton. The Green's fee and cart is only $50 a person.  There will be prizes and we will be handing them out at one of the local Pubs following the match. (lunch included). We have room for 40 golfers, so how about organizing a team or come yourself. I promise you will have a great day and I know Bill will enjoy the competition and day.  You can register through our secure server , or you can fax you application and credit card information to 1-309-412-2280. If necessary, call me at 508-586-3969. Remember, we can only accommodate 40 golfers. . . so don't be late and left out!

Here are a couple of the pictures I took: