Dream On: An Inspiring Story of Perseverance
When your golf handicap is a modest 24, the thought of breaking par is wishful thinking at best, or at least it should be. For John Richardson, not only was breaking par a personal goal he set for himself, this weekend hacker also vowed to achieve that feat in a year’s time, despite his modest 24 handicap. Famed Scottish golfer and commentator Sam Torrance told John Richardson to “dream on,” when Richardson told him he was determined to break par in a year. Thus, the inspiration for the title of Richardson’s book: “Dream On: A Hack Golfer’s Challenge to Break Par in a Year.”
Already a number one bestselling golf book in the United Kingdom, “Dream On” has now made its North American debut. Readers can enjoy this heartfelt, touching, and informative story that simultaneously teaches you how to improve your golf game and relentlessly pursue your dreams as well. Richardson’s story is a fascinating example of dedication and perseverance. A weekend golfer who couldn’t break 100, Richardson, who lives in Bangor, Northern Ireland, also had a full-time job, wife and young daughter. Despite all those responsibilities, he still felt his dream of breaking par within a year was doable.
Readers will appreciate the chronology of events that unfold over the months leading up to his accomplishing the goal of breaking par. Each chapter also begins with a quote from notable sources like Walt Disney, George Bernard Shaw, Henry Ford and Abraham Lincoln. Each quote sets the tone for the coming chapter. For example, the chapter titled “Winter Closes In,” begins with a Walt Disney quote: “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Likewise, the chapter “Martin Sheen and Guilt,” starts with an Anatole France quote: “To accomplish great things, we must dream as well as act.”
Not only did Richardson dream he could accomplish his goal of breaking par, he acted as though he would accomplish his goal of breaking par within a year. This is in spite of negative comments like that from Sam Torrance and Darren Clarke, the PGA Tour professional who told him that three years would be a more realistic time frame.
On May 26, 2004, Richardson’s pursuit of breaking par began. He shot a 103 that day, then wrote the following: “There is a stage of euphoria at the start of any long-promised challenge or goal like this one. You are filled to the brim with a ‘can do’ attitude. It’s all pure possibility. It’s a wonderful high, but it doesn’t last long. Just watch the heartfelt testimonials that people give after a motivational seminar. They are full of enthusiasm in the belief that their life can be so much better, but they have yet to do any of the hard work that will actually make the change. And that’s where I was. I’d started, the card was in my hand and I’d played quite well. Perhaps more importantly, I’d completed the first big hurdle, which was to convince Debbie, my teaching pro, that I could do it and that it was a challenge worth taking. The thought of the year ahead was exhilarating… I was off and running and it was exciting. Delusional, but exciting.”
Three-hundred-and-sixty-one days later, John Richardson broke par, shooting a round of 70 on the par 71 Hamilton Course in his home town.
“Dream On: One Hack Golfer’s Challenge to Break Par in a Year” is available at most major bookstores. For ordering online, visit Sky Horse Publishing.