My First Time: Bernard Shaw

CNN Principal Anchor, 1980–2001

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Bernard Shaw finally has time for a game of golfLet’s put it this way: During my 40 years in journalism, I had always envied golfers and the time they could invest in the game as well as their polished skills, regardless of their level of play. They had more time than I at the time. My work blocked that because I had been traveling the world parachuting into hot spots, covering political campaigns, monitoring elections, and moderating debates. I would have played golf earlier, but I wouldn’t allow anything to come between journalism and me. If I began earlier, I probably wouldn’t have been as effective as I was at journalism.

When I was at the University of Illinois in Chicago, I didn’t have time for golf there either. The best I could do was write for the college newspaper, be on the debate team, and study—all while working at night as a wine steward. I was a fanatical baseball player growing up in Chicago, and I ran half-mile and cross-country track, which was grueling and required so much discipline. I took a flirtatious swing around a golf course when I was in the Marine Corps in Kaneohe Bay on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The course runs along the bay and is quite windswept, reminding you of a links course. I really thrilled to it. What made me love it was the challenge of controlling the ball in all that unpredictable Hawaiian wind.

Finally, on Feb February 28, 2001, I walked off the field and into my dream of playing golf whenever and as much as possible. I believe in taking at least one lesson every season, and along the way I have acquired some important information about golf: Basically, succeeding is not about other players, the club, or the ball—it’s me. My challenge is to learn the finesse, discipline, and self-control required to play this game. Also, I am always working to overcome my caveman’s instinct to swing hard. Though I am on top of it, I would be lying if I said I mastered it. Usually the urge to swing hard comes when I am playing poorly. I have to remember that the biggest swing key for me—the most important mental imperative—is to relax, relax, relax.