What a treat! It's nice to have been randomly paired with someone you knew from the past.

As for my experience, very few of my ol friends have taken up golf. I mostly have new friends in golf. But back in the days of early 90s I was paired with someone who was kind enough to hang with me for nine holes and he sort of guided me and talked a little about golf etiquettes and it ultimately prompted me to buy the golf rules book. We were paired a few more times after that and maybe 12-15 years later, I recognized him in the same pairing I was in at another course about a hundred miles south from where we met. My buddy and I were playing okay, but him and his friend were playing real well. Reluctant at first, but I had to ask at the turn... sure enough it was him! It was pretty cool and a good feeling.

many times. Kind of strange when it happens, but nice. Plus some great misses too. I went to a division 1 school, and my best friend a division 3.. But somehow we were put together to play with each other in the New England NCAA Tourney. Couldn't believe the luck of it when I saw the pairings. BUT.....he got sick and the match never happened.

Plus, golf is a great equalizer. Who cares if you're Warren Buffet or the janitor from the local high school. Or if you're a scratch player or a 20 handicap. Nobody cares how much money you have, or what you do, as long as you have a love for the game, respect it, the course and the others you're playing with and aren't a jerk. You can learn a lot about someone and their character after only a few holes of golf.

I've experienced this a couple times over the years and always seems at the most unlikely place. We traveled to Hawaii in 1985 from SW Florida. While checking in at the Hilton on Waikiki I ran into a friend that I had bought my motorcycle from. He and his family lived about four blocks from us and neither were aware the other was traveling. It gives meaning to the old saying "it's a small world, but, I'd hate to have to paint it".

Forgot to mention the important part. We were both on the tee sheet the following morning at Turtle Bay within 20 minutes of each other.

Played in a 4-ball today with 3 blokes I've known for 45 years or more...
We worked for the same employer but at different sites and our paths have criss-crossed over the years.
We all played football at different clubs and levels and support different football teams.
We all play at different clubs but were all introduced to golf through the works golf society, which we have all dropped in and out of over the years. We are all currently "In"the society.
Three of the four - together with another long-term mate - go abroad to play in the sun twice a year. We just fall back into place like comfortable slippers. It's really fabulous and should not be taken for granted.

So ours is not so much a tale of reconnecting, more of touching base and regular re-affirming of friendships maintained through golf.
JT

Playing 6 degrees of separation, I've had numerous 1 & 2 degrees in many places. From Italy to Seattle. The closest golf one was in St. Andrew's. The restaurant recommended to us by someone in my Old Course group was booked for hours. Just asking a local student walking by for a suggestion, turns out she was from Massachusetts. After chatting about "the states", she was able to suggest another good choice nearby.

Yes it is funny how things work that way with golf, was once paired with my ex-son in law. It was a smooth divorce as friendly as a divorce can be hadn't seen him in 10 years was good to catch up he is a good guy they just couldn't get a long.

Back in 2016 while living in Asheville, NC I headed out to play at Asheville Muni a cool old Donald Ross Design.
On the first tee I was joined by a super nice guy...Head Pro from Scioto Country Club Bill Stines.
We had a great round and conversation...fast forward to Carlsbad California 2018. Last year out at TPI Oceanside I was introduced to Will Stines. Will is a Consumer Testing Program Test Facilitator. Two different introductions separated by thousands of miles and 2 years. Bill just happens to be Will's father. Pretty Cool Cool Small world stuff right there.
Both are Quality Guys from what can tell...HA!

Cheers,
Dr. K