Quadruple Bogey

Late in September, the French opinion letter was delayed because the French Ministry of Finance approval letter stated that it was subject to the "modalities" (details).  A debate arose among the lawyers as to whether the opinion letter needed to be similarly qualified.  Jim Binger learned of the debate and called to advise us that he was satisfied, as was Bull GE management, that the letter from the Ministry was acceptable.  The term "modalities" did not give rise to any future debates.

Following the "modalities" debates, George Lowy, Cravath's resident partner, suggested an afternoon of golf.  I was pleased to have the opportunity to spend a few hours with George away from the demands of the office.

The golf course turned out to be part of a recently renovated baronial estate. We left our clubs at the door of a small pro shop located in what had previously been a convent.  We saw no other golfers, nor any caddies. Instead of going to the first tee, we proceeded to the Chateau where we were escorted to the dining room. Eight or ten guests, presumably golfers, were enjoying aperitifs. They invited us to join them for lunch. 

Over two hours later, full of roast duck and red wine, George and I made our way to the first tee. The course was moderately challenging and well kept. The entire estate was enclosed with newly renovated walls. We were told at lunch that funds earmarked for constructing a small hotel had gone instead to the walls, at the Baron's insistence.

Influenced by the wine and ambiance, I proceeded to shoot the best consecutive eight holes of my life. I was poised to easily break forty as we reached the ninth hole, a par three over the moat to the convent. As I approached my tee shot, the wine wore off and I began thinking about the shot, the moat and my score. The result was an inevitable shank into the moat leading to a quadruple bogey.  I quickly agreed to George's suggestion that we skip the back nine and return to the office.