Some 25 years ago I lived just out of town in a town called Kingwood. I was a member of Kingwood Country Club . It was and is a great place. Seven courses, tennis, pool…you name it. Our claim to fame was that we were the site for the filming of the Movie Tin Cup.
“Tin Cup” is a sports comedy film that follows the journey of Roy “Tin Cup” McAvoy, a down-and-out golf pro played by Kevin Costner. Set in the world of professional golf, the film unfolds as McAvoy, once a promising talent turned driving range owner, gets a shot at redemption. When his former love interest, Dr. Molly Griswold, portrayed by Rene Russo, seeks his help to qualify for the U.S. Open, McAvoy takes on the challenge. Fueled by his unorthodox approach to the game and a determination to win Molly’s heart, Tin Cup takes the audience on a humorous and heartfelt journey, blending sportsmanship, romance, and a unique perspective on the world of golf. The film explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the unconventional path to success, making it a memorable and enjoyable sports comedy.
The climax of the film is “Cup” playing his nemesis down to the final hole of the US Open. He is in a position to win but the demons that have tormented him his whole life rears its head. So what is the demon? Well, it is what I call the ‘Hero Demon’. The need of someone to do something epic despite the odds. Seeking Glory over victory…Cup proceeds to try to reach the green in two. Drain the put for Eagle and go down in history and win the crowd’s love and his girl. Anyone who has ever played golf knows that there is no greater glory than hitting a ball dead solid perfect and getting on the green. It is what kids tell themselves as they self-talk on evenings on the links as they lug their bags down fairways just before dusk. Just like Costner, I can recall playing in Round as a 18 year old in 1986. Down 9 to my dentist, I fought back to the 17th hole. I holed out from a bunker and tied up the match for the club championship. Stepping to the tee box on 18 which goes over water and is bracketed out on the left I had a choice of taking a 4 iron and hitting safe or taking a 2 iron and smoking it. I snap-hooked it …pumping it out of bounds and gave back the strokes I just fought for; while Doc Destephen took his trusty 5 wood out and played it safe and hit it dead center mass.
Cup and I both lost the match….it pains me to this day that hubris and the glory demon took me down humbling me.
So what pray tell is the lesson for business owners? Time and time again I meet entrepreneurs and owners who take great risk and make decision for the big win as opposed to playing it safe and smart. Smart play verse ego play is as old at Aesops fables. Another example of Cup and his hubris is played out early in the film with post a win in a Open Qualifier. The Scene is known as the 7 Iron Bet take a minute to watch.
In this scene…the savvy pro who plays it smart and identifies the weakness of his competitor is the one who wins. So for you budding business owners and entrepreneurs. Master your ego. And be careful how you define winning. Slow Steady Consistent is what makes for a winner. A one hit wonder is often found later in life drowning in debt and is indeed a sad sad picture.
For more on buying and selling a business and entrepreneurship contact Tampa Business Broker Michael Shea at 321-287-0349