About 6 months ago at the Wednesday Club at Emley, which is a cracking afternoon of a couple of rounds around the course with some of the regions best and then topped off with a shared dinner, Ian Taylor said something to me that cut to the bone.
First, he asked if Phil had beat me, people love it when he does and we both get that because it’s a big part of Pellet On Pellet, two reprobates touring the courses trying to our best to get to A grade. Phil and I have a real laugh together and love the sport. I think people get that, they see a bit of themselves in us, I just hope that “bit” isn’t Phil’s shocking follow through!
Anyway, I digress. Ian pulled me to one side and said the following in his usual calm voice “Why aren’t you improving?” Not sure what emotion I showed but that simple statement sliced and diced me. I struggled for a minute and then told him it was all the “other” stuff I had in my head and I had real trouble trying to just focus on what I need to do.
That “other” stuff was all the responsibility of being Comp Manager for the BFTA and I’m sorry to say all the moaning some shooters do at every event. Shaun warned me when I took the job it would affect my scores but I thought I could handle it and I figured I did my best and made some positive changes, at least that’s what I hope.
I turned up to York on Sunday and I could hear the rumour mill already spinning, perhaps the person with the big mouth didn’t realise I was sat next to him on the plinker but let me address the points he made.
Yes, it’s true I’ve stepped down as Comp Manager for The BFTA, I don’t share the current vision of the committee and as such I’ve stepped down because I simply don’t want to be banging heads all of 2019. There’s no bad blood or ill feeling we’ve parted on good terms and I’ll be helping with the transition, that’s it. If you want to spin that into something else then good luck to you.
Ian’s words are still rattling around my head and I’ve put a plan together to keep me on track, so far it seems to be working, I’ll never be Jack Harris but equally, I’ll never be the gobshite that never stepped up or at least tried to help.
I’d like to thank everyone who helped me with all the BFTA work, it was a great experience but for now, it’s all about knocking some tin chickens down in the woods, staying focused and having some fun.
See you all on The Lanes.
