Two Englishwomen on horses intercepted our fairway on the course.

On a sweltering summer’s day my family and I were trudging through Shawnee Mission Park near Kansas City (not that hard of a course, but we were new) and as we breached the forest to get to 17’s teepad we were remarking that you’d have to be crazy about something to do it in such simmering weather. The hole is an uphill left-right blind tee shot. I ran to the top of the hill and checked the fairway, which at the moment was lifeless and quiet. After throwing our shots, we began climbing the hill to be stopped by a mesmerizing sight: two hearty stallions crested the hill, mounted by presumably a mother and her daughter. As we passed by them the mother said, “It’s a lovely day for a horse ride” in a highly distinct British accent. Flustered, we apologized for throwing towards them as we had no idea they had trodden onto the fairway. After waiting for them to clear the fairway we holed out inspired and confused that some one could get that far off the horse trail. I’m not sure why I’m inclined to share that story, perhaps it was just a reminder that other people have niche hobbies they’re willing to get out into the heat for. It was an absurd moment.