David San MiguelDavid San Miguel, 52
Cleveland
Anesthesiologist
David San Miguel learned long ago that golf is an incredible reliever of stress.
Golf is his escape from the pressure of protecting the lives of people as they lie on operating tables for surgeries ranging from a basic ankle operation to work on internal organs.
"There are many ways to put people to sleep so we can operate," he said, "and there are many ways to get the ball in the hole."
San Miguel spent a part of Monday afternoon trying to improve his chipping by practicing at Brainerd Golf Course. He enjoys the practice.
Like many casual golfers, he has yet to post a score that starts with an 8. A 91 is his best. With a few more chips like one he lofted into the hole Monday, he may just get there.
San Miguel had a late introduction to the game. He was about 28 years old during his residency in Cleveland, Ohio, when his father-in-law asked what he did during free time. The father of his bride suggested that San Miguel take his clubs to a local driving range and try hitting a few balls.
"He said, why don't you take my clubs and on your free time, hit some balls,'" San Miguel said. "Then one day we went together. I kept missing the ball and hitting shanks.
"But the first hit, where it was like the ball wasn't even there, and free-flowing, was like 'Wow,' and I was hooked."
San Miguel grew up in New York City and had few opportunities to play the game as a child. He tried introducing the game to his two sons who are students at the University of Tennessee and to his 15-year-old daughter.
The game didn't take with them.
"They prefer soccer, baseball, basketball -- sports where they play with friends," San Miguel said. "Maybe if they had friends who played golf, it would be a different story."
The next story he'd like to tell is about the day he breaks 90.