- May 6, 2024
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Nate McLaughlin shows us how little golf he plays. Photo by Jeff Dawsey
When I found out I would be attending Flagler Chamber’s Centennial Celebration, which featured several county commissioners hitting honorary tee shots 100 yards to commemorate the county’s 100th anniversary, I immediately began to hope for the worst swings.
Let’s be honest. If all of their shots traveled perfectly down range upon connection, that would’ve created boring content. So, I guess I have Commissioner Nate McLaughlin to thank for his valiant — but hilarious — efforts.
Before Commissioners McLaughlin, Dave Sullivan and Greg Hansen took their best shots, McLaughlin took a few practice shots. His first shot? He whiffed! Haha. He hit his second, but it rolled about 30 yards out and to the left.
Then came the real deal. Sullivan sent the ball beautifully down the middle of the range, and Hansen followed with a perfect swing and connection. Bor-ing!
But McLaughlin remained, and I knew he wouldn’t let me down.
On his first attempt, McLaughlin seemed to connect with more grass than golf ball. He collected a patch, but his ball only went three feet to the left. He was given a second chance, to which he connected and sent down range to the left again.
McLaughlin was a good sport about his failures. He said he never played growing up or even now (I don't think he needed to remind anyone of that), which I found a little surprising. I assumed most people in his line of work frequently met on golf courses.
Instead, McLaughlin says he spends his time “working for the people.” While I’m no fan of politics, I can believe that. He regularly attends almost every community event I attend, and I see him out more than any other politician, by far.
Yes, while McLaughlin may be the “people’s politician,” he and I both need to work on our golf swings. You never know when you’ll get invited out to a round of 18 holes. But, then again, maybe he needs to stay the way he is. If he practices, who will I then get to laugh at?
