(pardon the length...sometimes I get carried away in my story-tellin' and I don't want it to end. Mea culpa )
.
.

The sound was like a rifle shot...a POW!!..and that was that.
The car lurched to the right as wobbly tire announced a flat.
The driver pulled off to the right and shut the engine down
Then shook his head disgustedly as lips curved into frown.

He should have caught a flight, thought Tiger Woods, disgustedly,
Instead of driving through the hills of southern Tennessee
But it had seemed a good idea - peace and solitude,
A little bond with nature to relax his attitude.

The times were few he had a chance to relish simple things.
His life was filled with hectic days that fame and fortune brings.
A chance to get away from all the frenzy sounded great
Yet here he was, immobile, by a cruel twist of fate.

There was a sign in front of him that made young Tiger smile.
The letters on the sign saidGOLFTOWN, TENNESSEE - ONE MILE.
He almost laughed out loud, eyes twinkling with the irony
That HE should chance to get a flat near Golftown, Tennessee!

Just then a car came 'round a bend and pulled up to a stop.
A well-dressed man got out and Tiger saw the man's jaw drop.
"My God!!", the man said, "Tiger Woods!! Well, don't this beat the band!
I'm proud to meet you, sir", he said, as he outstretched his hand.

Turned out it was the Mayor of Golftown who'd come passing by.
He offered his condolences and then said, "Tiger, why
Don't you come visit our small town? I'll send boys for your car.
Our town would sure appreciate a visit from its star."

Tiger had to smile at the observance of it all.
The town sign on the outskirts was shaped like a huge golf ball!
Red, green and yellow traffic lights resembled golf balls, too
And giant tees held street signs on the town's main avenue.

The town itself was small enough - a few stores, nothing more...
A bank, a bar, a beauty shop, an old-time country store.
The Golftown Country Club stood on the outside of the square.
The Mayor parked the car and he and Tiger climbed the stair.

The clubhouse was not elegant, not built for luxury
In this small town up in the hills of southern Tennessee
But it had class and flair and, in its own way, it had style.
The atmosphere that it possessed caused Tiger Woods to smile.

He saw the pictures on the walls of all the golfing greats
And scenes of famous golf holes painted on the dinner plates.
He caught his breath and felt a chill go down his spine because
He saw HIS picture with a plaque - THE BEST THAT EVER WAS.

The few men sitting in there all got up to shake his hand.
Their eyes shone with a light that Tiger Woods could understand
For golfers have a special code, from duffers to the pros...
"If you play golf then you're my friend"...is how their credo goes.

"Too bad", the Mayor said, "you don't have time to play a round
Although our course would not compare to other ones you've found.
Besides, there's no one good enough to match your kind of skill
Except, of course, for him but you don't want to play with Bill."

Well, Tiger looked up at those words, unsure at what he'd heard.
To think that there was someone here to match him was absurd!
The Mayor was looking at an old guy sitting at the bar,
A paper spread in front of him as he smoked his cigar.

"I wouldn't want to play him?", Tiger Woods said. "Why is that?"
The Mayor just shook his head as fingers fiddled with his hat.
"'Cause you're the greatest in the world, deserving of the fame
But, if you played with Bill, You'd lose - he's never lost a game."

"No one knows how he does it - he is Nature's freak somehow.
He always hits it true and straight and nobody knows how.
He's like some idiot savant - his brain is wired that way.
His life is nothing special but, at golf, that man can play!"

"They've all come 'round to take him on, to put him to the test.
Jack Nicklaus came - Trevino, too - when they were at their best.
Old Bill just spanked them gently and then sent them on their way.
They never told a soul....were too embarrassed, I would say."

"At times some brash young pros come by to take the old boy on
And he obliges willingly until their money's gone.
He could have made it big on tour", the Mayor just shook his head,
"But limelight's not his style so he just hangs around, instead."

At this point Tiger knew he had to meet this local star.
He walked across the dining room and leaned against the bar.
"Hello.", he said, his hand extended. "I am Tiger Woods.
I had a flat outside of town. The Mayor says you're good."

The old man took the hand extended, shook it with a smile.
He said, "I know you, Tiger, and I do admire your style.
You are the best the game has seen, at least that's what they say.
I love to watch you on tv and - me? Yes, I can play."

"Perhaps you'd like to play a round", said Tiger, with a grin.
"The Mayor and all the others seem to think that you might win."
"I love to gamble", old Bill said. "It keeps me out of debt
So, if you want a match with me, you're gonna have to bet."

These words made Tiger smile. His face was all upon a grin.
"I'll put my money down, old-timer. When do we begin?"
"No, you don't understand", said Bill, "the type of bet I choose.
A bet is not a true bet if you're not afraid to lose."

"If you lose money - no big deal. You're rich beyond belief.
We have to play for something that would cause the loser grief.
We both rely on golf to earn a living, right? Well, then
The loser of our match agrees to not play golf again."

"To not play golf again!?!?", screamed Tiger. "Man, are you insane!?
You think I'll risk my whole career?", said Tiger with disdain.
"What risk?", said Bill. "You're Tiger Woods, golf's brightest, shining star
While I am just an old man sitting in a clubhouse bar."

"You're on!", said Tiger. "If you want, I'll take your foolish bet.
I've been challenged by the best and haven't backed down yet.
I'll get a room tonight and then I'll meet you here at dawn.
We'll have our match, you'll be retired and then I'll move along."

Poor Tiger had a restless night in bed at that motel.
Perhaps Bill HAD some talent that made him invincible!
He knew that there were singers in some non-descript small bars
With voices that could shame the ones that fortune had made stars.

The world was filled with unknown genius no one knew about
Who never got the breaks or chance to let their talents out.
Perhaps Bill was an oddity - he beat Jack in his prime -
And Tiger's foolish pride had placed him in a mess this time!

Next morning he drove to the clubhouse, climbedthe wooden stair.
It seemed like every resident of that small town was there.
They all were nice to Tiger, said to meet him was a thrill,
But most of them then drifted off to joke around with Bill.

Tiger went to Bill to do thething he had to do.
He said, "I'm really sorry but I've got bad news for you.
A personal appearance I'd forgotten is today
And, though I'd really like to, I just don't have time to play."

"That's ok, Tiger." Bill replied. "Of course I understand.
I can't imagine all the things a man like you has planned.
We all are glad you happened by and there may come a day
You'll find yourself around these parts and that's when we can play."

Tiger was impressed by all the graciousness displayed.
He almost felt embarrassed by the weak excuse he'd made.
He bid them all a fond farewell and drove off, speedily,
Relieved to finally get away from Golftown, Tennessee.

As soon as Tiger disappeared, a loud cry of elation
Shook the clubhouse walls as they began their celebration!
The men all traded high-fives while the Mayor hugged his wife
And all applauded Bill, who never played golf in his life!!!

The ruse had all been planned, you see, from large tacks in the road
To make sure that at least one tire of Tiger's would explode
And then the Mayor passing by to bring him into town
And then, of course, Bill's bet to see if Tiger would back down.

It wasn't out of disrespect - no, just the opposite.
It was to make sure Tiger would turn down a stupid bet.
The boy had all the talent in the world of golf, they knew
And now they knew he had the brains to be a leader, too.

They'd done the same to Nicklaus about thirty years before
When fate stepped in to bring young Jack there knocking at their door.
They had Bill make his foolish wager in the clubhouse bar
And when Jack turned him down they knew that he would be a star.

The ladies drank mimosas while the men broke out the beer
And everyone in Golftown raised their glasses in good cheer.
They gave a toast to Golftown Bill, who smiled at their applause
And thenthey toasted Tiger Woods, the best that ever was.



Some month later, Woods played Nicklaus for some charity.
He said, "You ever hear of Bill from Golftown, Tennessee?"
Jack froze for just a second at the mention of Bill's name,
Then slowly said, "It rings a bell. They say that he's got game."
>
The years have moved along since then and Bill has passed away.
He'll always be the only man that Tiger wouldn't play.
His picture's on the clubhouse wall - this plaque beneath his name..
"In Memory of Bill - The Best to Never Play the Game".>

Ahhh, Michael ... you got a hole in one, with this wonderful tale!  

Beautifully woven,
Excellent flow,
and held my interest from start to end.  

Too long, my 'Deer?   Never!

I could read you from morning through to night.

Best wishes and hugs ... loved this!
/Kit