Course Chronicles: Chapter 1 - A Father's Legacy at The Crossings

Course Chronicles: Chapter 1 - A Father's Legacy at The Crossings

There are moments when a piece of art captures more than just a place - it holds within its lines a lifetime of memories, love, and legacy. This is the story of one such print, shared by Tracy Cox, who chose a Custom Golf Course Map of The Crossings in Brooks, Kentucky as a Christmas gift for her husband Jason.


A Bond Born on the Fairways

"My husband, Jason Cox, was practically born with a set of golf clubs in his hands," Tracy tells us. "His dad, Taylor, was a railroader and his mom was a school crossing guard. His mom still lives in the house where they lived when Jason was born 50 years ago." The Crossings golf course, situated near the rail yard where his father worked, became their home away from home. 

"As a toddler, his parents would take him to the course." Tracy shares. "As a little guy, he tagged along with and played with his mom, playing from the ladies' tees. As he aged and got better, they started making him move up to the men's tees. When he started beating them from the men's tees around the age of ten, they kicked him out and he started playing with his dad and the guys. To say he fell in love with the game is an understatement.

It was a bond that knitted him and his dad so closely together. They spent untold hours together playing golf.


A Community Forged at The Crossings

The story of The Crossings itself is deeply woven into the fabric of their community. "The golf course came up for sale and a large group of railroaders, fifty plus of them, came together and bought the course," Tracy recounts. "Together, they've owned and operated what's now called The Crossings for over 30 years." The course, which sits right along the L&N rail line just a mile or two from the rail yard, became more than just a golf course. 

For a group of blue-collar railroaders, it was their slice of paradise and gave a bunch of guys that might not have otherwise had the opportunity the chance to love and enjoy the game of golf.

A Precious Final Chapter

The story took a dramatic turn last year. "Jason's dad developed a significant blood clot in his lungs and had to have emergency surgery right after Thanksgiving of 2023," Tracy recounts. "He died on the operating table, but after 45 minutes of CPR, the doctors were able to save him." What followed was a grueling journey - eight weeks in critical care and the cardiac care unit before moving to rehab for several weeks. "There were times we thought he would never make it out, would never be the same, would be in a nursing home," Tracy remembers. "All told, after nearly three months in the hospital and rehab, he was able to go home. It was nothing shy of a miracle."

Not only did Taylor walk again and return to fairly normal life, he played golf again. On June 6th, father and son shared what would be their final round together at The Crossings. "Sadly, his heart was not strong enough to sustain and we lost Taylor, fitting for the patriotic army veteran he was, on the 4th of July."

"While he chose to be cremated and did not want a funeral, we held his memorial service at The Crossings, and there is a beautiful red October Maple planted at the intersection of the 9th green and 10th tee."

Carrying Forward the Legacy

"When I discovered The Greenside Gallery, I knew I needed to have The Crossings created for Jason," Tracy shares.

"It's a beautiful reminder of his entire life, countless rounds of golf, untold laughs and life lessons, and precious precious memories of his dad. His dad's passing has been a reminder that life is precious and not to take anything for granted."

The loss of Taylor has inspired a new chapter. "We are about to take a leap and open our own golf shop that will feature teaching, instruction, and custom fitting. The Crossings map will hang proudly behind the counter in tribute to Taylor."


This Custom Map, born as a Christmas gift, now serves as both a memorial and an inspiration. It reminds us that while we can't keep playing forever, we can pass on our love for the game to others - just as Taylor did with Jason, and as Jason will now do with his students.


This is the first installment in our "Course Chronicles" series, where we share the stories behind our golf course prints and the meaningful connections they represent.

 

Do you have a golf story to tell?

Every golf course print holds a unique story, and we'd love to hear yours. Share your connection to a special course - whether it's a tale of family tradition, memorable moments, or personal triumph - and you could be featured in our next Course Chronicles. Selected stories will receive a $100 gift voucher to spend at The Greenside Gallery.

Email your story to info@thegreensidegallery.com with the subject line "Course Chronicles.

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