In John Bytheway’s book entitled, “Lessons I Learned While Looking For My Ball”, there is a chapter on integrity. A statement by Don Wade relates the story of Bobby Jones who assessed a one-stroke penalty on himself in the 1925 U. S. Open. Wade says, “Jones lost the championship…he would go on to win dozens of others, later-but perhaps that was his greatest victory. No one ever had to question his integrity or his character as a competitor.” On the next page there is a quote by O. B. Keller who said, “Bobby Jones lost the U. S. Open by one stroke. In calling a penalty on himself, he demonstrated for all of us the highest ideal of sportsmanship and personal honor. I’m prouder of him than if he’d won. There are things finer than winning championships.” (see pages 116-119)

For a lot of us, we encounter championship moments of our own whether it’s in our day-to-day lives at work or school or play. Integrity is something which is not easy to obtain, but certainly easy to loose. In that spirit, Rustico creates products with integrity, made with real American cowhide that never goes to waste.  We know that the memories our customers record in their leather journals or sports logs are championship moments, moments that are worth preserving, statistics of real meaningful wealth, and memories that will last a lifetime.

Recently, I found out that my father was diagnosed with stomach cancer. When I look back on my life growing up. All the championship moments seem to revolve around him, my mother and my family. I’m thankful that I have journals full of those championship moments to remind me. I can remember the time we played a round in California and just happened to be joined by the late Jack LaLane. I was just a kid, but remembered how vibrant and athletic he was for being in his 80′s and that he like to cheat! I remember countless summer trips fishing on the Rogue River in Southern Oregon and my Dad teaching me how to cast and bait hooks.

There is nothing more important than the lessons I learned about integrity from my Dad. Because I have recorded those precious teaching moments and memories, my kids will someday know how important he is to me. Cherish your memories. Log your championship moments, your meaningful statistics, funny and sad stories and remember the good shots and the bad ones too, the big fish and the little ones. For, in the end, our memories are all we have, and all we get to take with us.

by Tim S. White

Marketing Strategist

Sneak Preview – Rustico X-Case 

The new Rustico X-Case is the rustic yet functional way to carry and protect your iPad or iPad 2. The Rustico X-Case Case comes with two internal pockets, a fitted wool-felt lined internal sleeve, a buckle closure that doubles as a unique pull tab for extracting your iPad, a slot for a composition book (included) and a machine-sewn seam. It measures 10.75″ x 8.25″ when closed. Available in Black, Dark Brown, Saddle, Burgundy and Buckskin. Each iPad Case is custom made when you place your order.