With apologies to author Robert Fulghum, all I really need to know I learned at private clubs — not kindergarten. He is correct, however, about wisdom not being at the top of the mountain, but often in the proverbial sandpile. …
So, dear reader, after more than a decade at ClubCorp as editor-in-chief of Private Clubs, I am taking the lessons learned and reinventing myself. I am joining the Department of Communication at the University of North Carolina at Asheville as Assistant Professor. Over the next few semesters, I hope to develop magazine journalism classes for the department that is uniquely positioned within the small, liberal arts university in the mountains of western North Carolina. I will miss Texas; I will miss all of you; and I will cherish the lessons learned.
Some of those lessons are borrowed from Mr. Fulghum’s list. Such as:
• “Share everything.” It’s a great challenge to inform, to delight, and to entertain readers every two months and that could not be done without a tremendously talented and loyal staff. To them, I give thanks.
• “Play fair.” This axiom, of course, is especially true on the golf course or tennis court — venues where we have met so many fascinating members. Over my tenure, our cover subjects have included: golf legend Jack Nicklaus and wife, Barbara; Hollywood legend Clint Eastwood; business titan Donald Trump; golf course architect Tom Fazio; country western star Charley Pride (who gave an impromptu concert greenside); and others.
• “Be aware of wonder.” Assignments have variously required travel
via yacht, train, plane, hot air balloon, horseback, camelback … wonder, indeed.
• “Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.” I appreciate the many club and resort chefs and sommeliers who regularly share their passions with our readers. I know they never really have the extra time.
• “Flush.” Some of the most interesting personalities at clubs and resorts are found in the “heart of the house.” They are the sometimes-invisible cogs who make things run smoothly and who often have gone the extra mile for us as we pursued stories. These friends are too numerous to name.
• “Live a balanced life.” Mr. Fulghum adds to “learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.” All wonderful advice.
The photos on this page, from past issues, remind me of one more piece of wisdom. It’s a Portuguese proverb, when translated says, “Live to learn and you will learn to live.” Thank you again for an incomparable decade of lessons and blessings.
Patricia Baldwin
Editor in chief
privateclubs@clubcorp.com