Lithuanian golf tournament was Links’mas

Saturday, March 14th, was another California Lithuanian Golf Club tournament. First timers and seasoned CLGC veterans came together on the bluffs of Palos Verdes for what would normally be a picturesque beautiful sunny Southern California winter day showcasing gorgeous greens perched high above the Pacific Ocean outlined by Catalina island. But as fate would have it, this Saturday was more like a Lithuanian November day, low clouds, sometimes dense fog, lots of drizzle and sometimes rain. The golf gods must have a sense of humor. 

But even with all the challenges, something about the darkness of the day recalled the various ways I felt like I was in Lithuania with friends and family. The abnormally green tall wet wild grass along the fairways under super green pine trees reminded me of being in the forest near my mother in laws’ childhood village Merkinė last fall. Donning the Lithuanian colors, awesome golf shoes with the ‘Yellow, Green and Red’ as well as shirts pants and hats, reminded me of the Jonas festival in Vilnius two summers ago. And in meeting new Lithuanians eager to play through the cold stormy weather reminded me of every time I go to Lithuania. For when has a little rain ever stopped a Lithuanian from having a little LINKS’MYBIŲ.

By Gene Warren III