Marco thought Hole 4 was finally a standard golf hole with no antics before he read the sign. Hole 4: Par 5, Dr. Chip Green, PsyD. Specializing in individual counseling, couples therapy and golf games.
Sure, he’s a doctor, Marco thought sarcastically. As he approached the tee, everything seemed calm. So far, no shrinks had jumped out of the bushes to try to analyze him. His partner, Parker, always wanted to get him to see someone. Parker visited a psychologist twice a week. Not Marco— he saw no need for the therapy. Parker loved it. What shrink did Parker see?
“Marco!” a voice yelled behind him. He turned to see his partner, Parker, walking up to him along with a man in a green golf shirt. He could only assume this was Dr. Green himself.
“What are you doing here?” Parker asked. He looked rather mad.
“We should let him play his golf game, Dr. Green said to Parker. Today is not a couples’ therapy session.”
“But he’s not supposed to be golfing,” Parker said. “He’s supposed to be visiting his cousin.”
“What about you?” Marco asked. He wasn’t about to go down without a fight. “You come out here twice a week and get a therapy session in front of the whole world. How many of our friends know you go to therapy here?”
“It’s a Par 5,” Parker said, “You don’t run into many people. We walk around the hole and talk.”
“The walking is a great way to get some space,” Dr. Green interjected. “That’s why I like having this as my office.”
“What if it’s confidential? What about conflicts between a couple that they don’t want to tell the world.”
“See that gardener shed over there?” Dr. Green said, pointing. “I’ve turned that into an office. For private moments, I offer bottled water, a couch and air conditioning.”
Marco considered his options. If he did nothing, he would be in a massive fight with Parker. Instead, Marco decided on a plan: “Can we go see the office? Maybe I could join this session?”
“That’s a great idea,” Parker said, his anger melting.
“Excellent. Although it wasn’t scheduled to be a couples’ session, I’m happy to make an exception for you,” Dr. Green said. There was commotion behind them. “Hold on for one moment. Someone on Hole 3 is having an absolute meltdown. Let me go give them my card.”
The Finch Golf Club is part of a series, you can read other entries here.