Johnny Miller and Father's Day

To all you dads out there, I hope your Father's Day was as enjoyable as mine. My beautiful daughters treated me to an air-conditioned cabana at a local beach resort, complete with flat screen TV on which to watch the U.S. Open when I wasn't sunning by the pool. Not too shabby! They even sprang for a couple shots of Padron! Speaking of the Open, what a performance by the young Mr. McIlroy! Perhaps Tiger finally has a worthy opponent.

If you're a golfer, or a fan of golf, you probably know that our national championship, the United States Open, concludes (weather permitting) on Father's Day each year. It's a tradition that has made watching the Open just a little more special. This year, Gerry McIlroy, Rory's father, was right there beside the 18th green to witness his beloved only-child complete a rare, record-setting wire-to-wire victory. After sinking his final putt - eight shots clear of his closest competitor - Rory trotted off the green and into his father's warm embrace, a father who sometimes worked three jobs to support a young Rory's burgeoning links career. Now that's a helluva Father's Day!

The U.S. Open is televised on NBC, and a key member of the broadcast team is analyst Johnny Miller, himself an Open champion and the holder of the lowest final round ever shot in a U.S. Open (his spectacular 63 at Oakmont in 1973). Miller is known as a no-holds-barred commentator who is not afraid to skewer his fellow linksmen if he believes they deserve it. His candor, along with his expert observations have made him one of the most highly regarded analysts in all of sports, let alone golf. He is also known as a spiritual man, and a devoted father and husband, who, like millions of young men, was taught the game of golf by his father.

During yesterday's broadcast, Miller commented that the highest calling for a man is that of being a father. Amid the excitement of watching a record-setting performance by a sweet-swinging, fast-rising young Northern Irishman, Miller poignantly added perspective that elevated the moment, and the broadcast, without sounding preachy. And he's right, of course. As much as we men may see ourselves as providers, or heads of household or protectors, or whatever traditional or macho descriptor you can think of, there is no more important role we will ever play than that of father. Johnny Miller, you're the man!

So, happy belated Father's Day, dads. I hope your kids are as wonderful and special as mine. They're adults now, but they'll always be my kids. I'm honored, proud and humbled to be their dad!

T. Stauffer, Wishin' I Was Fishin'