Longboater visualizes victory
STEVE REID
Editor & Publisher
sreid@lbknews.com
Few can say, “I won at St. Andrews Scotland!”
But for Longboat Key resident golfer Arlene McKitrick, she triumphed over incessant rain and cool temperatures to emerge the victor over 150 men and woman from 11 countries who competed in the event.
And the victory — the 176th for McKitrick — is a personal triumph as well over type-one diabetes, which she was diagnosed with in 1989.
In fact, McKitrick has won more than 150 tournaments since being diagnosed and is closing in on a personal goal of 200.
She was ecstatic to win and was equally happy to return to Longboat Key this week.
“I am so happy to be home in beautiful Longboat Key. The brilliant blue sky, glistening Gulf of Mexico and warm temperatures truly make Longboat Key a wonderful place to live.”
McKitrick returned from St. Andrews Scotland from competing in the International Seniors Amateur Golf Society Summer Championship.
“It was the most severe playing conditions I think I have ever experienced. St. Andrews had two and a half months of non-stop rain. My practice round was under driving rain, wind and cold temperatures. The rain saturated my rain suit and went through three more layers of clothes to soak me to the bone. The fairways were so under water that each step through the boggy grass felt like the suction would pull off your golf shoes.”
And as any diabetic may attest, the pain associated with severe weather can hamper most any activity. McKitrick said that the adverse weather caused her great pain in her hands and feet because of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. By her third day, she didn’t think she could walk the course.
Visualizing success
For decades, McKitrick has learned to visualize the path she wishes to take — in essence she uses her mind to help her achieve an outcome — a sort of visualization and channeling of intent and energy.
“I had to really tap into my power of the mind and visualize that when I woke up I would be able to feel my hands and feet and continue with the tournament. I know that my winning success comes from the magical 15th club I have and that is the power of the mind and an attitude of gratitude,” said McKitrick
There were over 150 men and women from 11 countries; USA, Canada, Scotland, Mexico, Taiwan, Bermuda, United Kingdom, Japan, China, Germany and France.
The golfers played The Kittocks, The Duke’s Course, Kingsbarn Golf Links and the men also played Torrance.
There were only two men and McKitrick who were able to shoot in the 70’s because of the challenging courses and difficult playing conditions.
When McKitrick was about 20 years old, she was introduced to the concept of “Imagineering,” and has used it to advance her careers in modeling, fashion, and to get a degree in broadcast journalism, which eventually resulted in an internship as a White House correspondent for ABC News.
McKitrick has played golf since about age 30. She began taking golf lessons and reading golf books, and it wasn’t long before she could hold her own and then some on the golf course.
At the age of 33, McKitrick won her first tournament. In the next decade, tournament victories came regularly. Now, McKitrick stands with 176 career titles — a legend in her own right.
